Diane Ralph was diagnosed with Stargardt disease in 2004 and has been registered as medically blind for the last thirteen years.

Diane originally worked as a nurse in Aberdeen before retiring on medical grounds, aged 26, in 1994 due to degenerative spinal discs and arthritis.

Later, while studying for an Open University degree in Arts and Humanities, she began to see flashes in her vision which didn’t go away and were later diagnosed as Stargardt disease.

Stargardt disease is a rare inherited disorder of the retina which causes progressive damage to central vision in both eyes which is responsible for the detailed vision necessary for such every day activities such as reading, driving and watching TV.

Diane said: “While I was studying for my Open University degree I found I was having trouble reading my textbooks and magazines. My eyes wouldn’t focus and I had bright sparkles, like fireworks, in my vision.

“When I saw an eye specialist my central vision had deteriorated to the point I only had a small amount of peripheral vision left. After more tests, I was subsequently diagnosed with Stargardt disease which was devastating.”

Electronic glasses have been developed by Canadian company eSight which communicate what they see through a camera and enhanced video system which can then be interpreted correctly by the optical nerve, giving back sight.

“I couldn’t believe it when I tried on the electronic glasses, it was like coming out of darkness in to the light. I could see again and was easily able to read a newspaper, see cars and road signs and I also got to see my family for the first time in years which was very special.

“The glasses will completely change my life but are out of my reach financially. We don’t know how long it will take to raise the money but I really hope we reach the target as the glasses will make an enormous difference to me and how I’m able to live my life.”