A VISUALLY impaired representative of the Macular Society was guest of honour at the official opening of a new Vision Express store in Market Place, Ulverston.

Barbara Openshaw, 84, is partially sighted as she has glaucoma. She was also diagnosed with Age-Related Macular Degeneration in her late70s.

Ms Openshaw has had to adapt to life with impaired vision and is learning to use her peripheral vision. She uses a mouse connected to her TV so she can read large type.

“It was a pleasure to help open the new Ulverston Vision Express store and to represent the Macular Society which does so much to raise awareness of macular degeneration," said Ms Openshaw. "If you are diagnosed with macular degeneration, it is certainly possible to adapt to the condition, although your vision will always be impaired and I have experienced this myself.’

The opening marks the store becoming part of the Vision Express family, following the company’s acquisition of Conlons Opticians. It brings the total number of stores nationwide to more than 390.

The Ulverston store recently closed for refurbishment, re-opening as a Vision Express store.

Vision Express Store Manager Rachel Dacre, said: "It was a pleasure to meet Barbara who helped us open our new look store and we’re looking forward to continuing to offer the people of Ulverston a first class eye care service."