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Sight impairment charity in Jersey | EYECAN

EYECAN supports Islanders of all ages in Jersey, Channel Islands, with sight impairment. Previously known as Jersey Blind Society.

World Glaucoma Week

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World Glaucoma Week – Michael’s story

My sight loss started very suddenly. One morning I noticed that I kept falling over and losing my balance as if drunk. Until I was diagnosed with it I hadn’t heard of Glaucoma.

Now I have to keep turning my head to the sides to try to see everything, as often I don’t notice things until I knock over or bump into them. I’ve noticed that different lights affect my eyesight. It’s as if I’m in a box which is closing in on me. I can’t do my favourite sports anymore and I really do miss cycling. I have been working with EYECAN since 2012 and I still receive support from them.

Estimates put the total number of suspected cases of Glaucoma at over 60 million worldwide.

Early detection really can make a difference so please get your eyes screened.

Glaucoma Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

  • Blurred / foggy vision
  • Seeing halos or rainbows of colour around lights bulbs
  • Sensitivity to glare
  • Poor night vision
  • Increased period of adjustment when moving between different light conditions
  • Loss of peripheral vision, resulting in difficulty locating objects and failure to notice things at the periphery of your vision, resulting in frequent accidents
  • Mild to severe headaches, and eye pain

If you, or someone you know is experiencing any of the symptoms above, it is advisable to take a Glaucoma screening test as soon as possible. Contact your Optician to arrange a screening.

Charles Bonnet Syndrome

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Macular Degeneration Awareness Month – Charles Bonnet Syndrome

February is Macular Awareness Month

According to the Macular Society, up to half of all people with macular degeneration, a gradual loss of central vision, may experience Charles Bonnet Syndrome at some time.

Charles Bonnet Syndrome causes a person whose vision has started to deteriorate to see things that are not real (hallucinations). The hallucinations may be simple patterns, or detailed images of events, people, animals or places. They are only visual and do not involve hearing, or any other sensation. It is important to be aware that hallucinations associated with Charles Bonnet Syndrome are caused by failing eyesight. They are not caused by a mental health problem or dementia.

People with Charles Bonnet Syndrome can usually distinguish between what is real and what is an hallucination, even when the images they see are vivid. Visual hallucinations are a normal response the brain has to the loss of vision. However, as Charles Bonnet Syndrome is not widely known about, many people worry that they may be developing a serious mental health problem, or dementia.

Recently a character in the popular TV soap opera, Coronation Street, admitted to experiencing visual hallucinations. The storyline helps to raise vital awareness of the condition, which often leaves people unnecessarily worried about their mental health. Richard Hawley, who plays Johnny Connor, explains, “Once you have a diagnosis of Charles Bonnet syndrome things can get a little better simply because you know what it is.”

If you are experiencing any symptoms of Charles Bonnet Syndrome please mention this to your GP or at your Eye Clinic appointment. For tips on how to deal with Charles Bonnet Syndrome please contact EYECAN’s Rehabilitation Officer on 864689.

Follow the links below for more helpful information.

https://www.macularsociety.org/macular-disease/macular-conditions/charles-bonnet-syndrome/

https://www.rnib.org.uk/eye-health/eye-conditions/charles-bonnet-syndrome-cbs

 

 

Julie’s Story

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Macular Degeneration Awareness Month – Julie’s story

I first  noticed a problem with my eyesight at the age of 28, with a black spot in my
central vision. My son was one year old. Within six months I had only peripheral sight
in my left eye. A year later the right eye developed a similar pattern. I had to stop
driving, and lost my sense of independence, relying on others to take me where I
needed to go. I thought my life as I knew it was over, I would not see the children
grow up, or enjoy the normal things in life. Thankfully, the deterioration was very
slow but every time my sight changed life became more difficult until I became
accustomed to it.

I was diagnosed with PIC (Punctate Inner Coroiditis) at Moorfields Hospital. It is a
rare condition which seems to attack young blond haired, blue eyed, short sighted
females. I had never heard of it and was devastated! Life had changed dramatically
and not knowing anyone else with sight impairment I felt very alone despite the love
of my family. The Social Worker at the charity Jersey Blind Society (now known as
EYECAN) was lovely, but at the time, there was no social opportunity available for
someone of my age group and the average age of members attending the Day
Centre at Westlea was about 80.

A few years later, with my second son at school, I was introduced to a lovely lady
who was sight impaired. She was the first person I had met like me, and although
our conditions were very different, she introduced me to a more positive world – I
knew I was not alone and that great things could still and would happen for me. I had
not thought like that for a long while. She has been a strong and positive influence
on me ever since. I started to meet other people like me through a social support
group for younger sight impaired Islanders, which met at EYECAN, thus introducing
me to a whole new world.

In 2010 I was asked to attend a meeting of the UK Macular Society who were hoping
to set up a support group in Jersey to bring people together and support each other.
I joined the Society and was keen to help wherever I could – I have been running the
group ever since. There are so many different Macular conditions, and the Society is
there for anyone with Macular whether they become a member or not. EYECAN has
been very supportive of the group, with Community Team staff attending our monthly
meetings and bringing us information on technology and the support offered by the
Charity. Our relationship is continually gaining in strength and we now meet at
Westlea EYECAN’s centre every month.

For more information about the Macular Society please visit their website
(www.macularsociety.org). There are so many things on offer, including Telephone
Befriending, a Helpline, up to date research information and much more.
For information on our local Support Group please call me on 745863. We meet on
the second Monday of the month from 2.15pm, with chat, tea, guest speakers or trips
out. It is always good to talk, share tips and recommendations and generally to know
you are not on your own. Transport can be arranged.

Through running the support group, I was asked to join the EYECAN Management
Committee as a sight impaired member, and I am very happy and willing to assist
wherever I can. EYECAN is a very valuable asset to the Island as a whole and I am
proud to be a part of it. I really enjoy meeting others and attending the Wednesday
Art Activity Day and learning new skills with new friends. Over the 30 years since I
have known about the charity EYECAN, so many things have changed dramatically,
and all age groups now benefit from their services and activities.

 

Town layout changes due to reopening of shops

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Changes to the Town Layout in St Helier due to the reopening of shops

We would like to make people aware about some changes that have happened in St Helier as a result of the shops reopening.

New signage in place along the length of King Street and Queen Street asks pedestrians to keep left. Some of these have been placed in the centre of the street between the white lines which are normally free of obstacles. Some shops have placed A frame sale boards in the street and there is scaffolding at the front of several shops. There is signage on Don Street, Halkett Street and Bath Street. There is also hoarding in the middle of West Centre and the Royal Square.

Please take care when walking in town due to the changes made.

EYECAN Christmas Raffle

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EYECAN’s Christmas Raffle Draw 24th December 2020

EYECAN’s Christmas Raffle has just been drawn and we have our winning tickets.

1st Prize   £1000 goes to ticket holder 243

2nd Prize  £250 goes to ticket holder 106

3rd Prize     £50 goes to ticket holder 369

Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket.

Special thanks to G4S for once again sponsoring our Christmas Raffle

Merry Christmas Everyone

Christmas Message

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A Christmas message from the President of EYECAN

You don’t need us to remind you how challenging 2020 has been. But while this year will long be remembered as a time of hardship, we’ve also seen an outpouring of kindness, resilience and community spirit.

Our President, Ed Daubeney would like to extend the following message to all our volunteers, members and supporters.

On behalf of the EYECAN Committee and staff team, we would like to extend our Season’s Greetings to you and your families.  We hope you stay safe during the holiday period and beyond, and can genuinely enjoy some festive cheer.  Thank you for all your support during what has been a very difficult 2020. We wish you the very best for 2021 and Look forward to catching up with you properly in the not too distant future.

Voucher Scheme

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EYECAN spectacle voucher scheme for under 8’s

Today, on World Sight Day, look out for news about EYECAN’s forthcoming Spectacles voucher scheme for children under 8. The article below has been shared with the media.

Sight loss charity to trial spectacles voucher scheme for children under the age of 8. 

Good vision is a key to a child succeeding at school. Reading, writing, board work, and using computers are among the visual tasks students perform daily. A child’s eyes are constantly in use in the classroom and at play. As learning progresses, increasing demands are placed on the child’s visual abilities. The size of print in schoolbooks becomes smaller and the amount of time spent reading and studying increases significantly.

But vision doesn’t just happen. As Sarah Evans, Senior Orthoptist at the Hospital Eye Department explains, “ A child’s brain learns how to use eyes to see, just as it learns how to use legs to walk or a mouth to form words, so the longer a vision problem goes undiagnosed and untreated, the more chance the child will have sight problems that last a life time.

Children with uncorrected vision conditions or eye health problems face many barriers in life, academically, socially and athletically. When visual skills have not developed, or are poorly developed, learning can become difficult and stressful. Children may try to avoid tasks which need close attention, or else attempt the work but with lowered levels of comprehension and efficiency. The strain on the child’s eyes may also adversely affect their attention span and cause discomfort and fatigue.

A comprehensive eye examination is so important for children. Early detection and treatment provide the very best opportunity to correct vision problems. In Jersey children are screened at birth and then by the orthoptists in their reception year at school.”

Financial considerations may deter some families from being able to provide the best care for their children’s eyes. However, EYECAN, the charity supporting sight impaired islanders, is hoping to encourage all parents to seek eye care for children under the age of 8.

From January 2021 the Charity will be trialing a year-long voucher scheme funding up to £90 towards the cost of new glasses for Island children in this age group. Parents and carers will be able to claim one EYECAN voucher per child by simply providing their optician with their child’s Jersey registration number. The registration number will be shared with EYECAN for administrative purposes only and will not be retained by the Charity beyond the end of the year. The scheme will be trialed throughout 2021 before being reviewed.

 

Closer to Home event focused on offering physical and mental wellbeing, job seeking and back to work support.

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Closer to Home Event 22nd September

Chris and Agnetta attended the Closer to Home Event focused on offering physical and mental wellbeing, job seeking and back to work support. The evening was a great opportunity to answer questions from the general public and to meet other services offering support  and guidance.

If you would like to find out more and when the next event will be held please use this link https://www.gov.je/caring/organisations/pages/closertohome.aspx