MIST (Macular Impairment Support and Togetherness) is a support group established to help individuals with damage to the central part of the retina, which in turn causes a loss of vision in the centre of the eye's field of view.
Members of MIST were anxious to point out that macular impairment only affects the central area of vision. It is not a threat to peripheral vision, the areas around the edges of what the eye sees.
Last week's report on clinical trials in Aberdeen conducted by Dr Dara Kilmartin and colleagues on an important new treatment for a form of age-related macular degeneration suggested that this condition also caused a loss of peripheral vision. This is not the case and those with the disease AMD should have no fear about loss of peripheral vision, MIST says.
MIST was founded in 1995 by Ms Maura Tallon, who has macular impairment. It offers practical help and advice to those with the condition and maintains contacts with similar organisations around the world.
Group meetings are held each month and those who would like more information can phone MIST at (01) 280-9895 or (01) 494-7396.