MORE than 20 people attended an open day at Corsham Opticians last Thursday (30 Aug) to find out about a new low vision service.

The open day was staged by Cilla Hubbard of Corsham Opticians to explain their new local service to people, to save them travelling out of the area for help.

Cilla said: “Often visually impaired people do not know what help is available, or how to go about getting help with daily living tasks. Many struggle with simple tasks like setting oven dials or seeing buttons on their phone.

“I am a registered dispensing optician and a low vision practitioner and I moved to the practice with the intention of setting up a local service.

“Currently, people have to travel to Bath or Devizes for support or advice, which in itself can be a challenge for them.”

Mrs Hubbard acquired the family-run opticians from Graeme Mountford about two years ago.

She moved to Corsham from Northamptonshire and has around 8,500 customers from the local area.

Guests at the open day included customers, Wiltshire Sight, the Macular Society, and trade supplierssuch as Associated Optical.

Corsham Opticians can provide customers with magnifiers, telescopes and electronic aids, as well as living aids such as lighting, large buttoned phones and large faced clocks to help make their life easier.

Mrs Hubbard added: “As well as being an independent high street optician doing the normal sight testing and contact lenses etc, I also provide advice and aids for those who have poor vision, even with spectacles, and can direct them into the various services or charities locally for more support.

“As the National Health Service is being continuously squeezed, there are very few of the NHS services around and even then the products supplied may not be sufficient.”