University of Leicester hosts sports event to raise awareness of Nystagmus

The University of Leicester will be hosting an event to introduce sports for people with reduced vision and to raise awareness of the eye condition Nystagmus on Sunday 1 November.

Attendees will be given the opportunity to take part in fun sports such as athletics, dance, cricket, boccia, goalball, football and wacky races - as well as a number of other engaging games and activities.

The event coincides with the 3rd International Nystagmus Awareness Day, which will take place on 4 November, and is held in collaboration with Vista, Action for Blind People and Charnwood Borough Council.

Qualified disability coaches will hold fun sports sessions to introduce families with Nystagmus to a range of sports adapted for visual impairment.

The event, organised by the University of Leicester's Ophthalmology Group in the Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, will be a chance for both children and adults to find out more about sporting opportunities for the visually impaired with the hope of raising awareness of those with the eye condition nystagmus.

Nystagmus, a condition causing the eyes to move involuntarily, affects approximately two to three in 1,000 people and is the main cause of serious visual impairment among school age children. As an adult it can affect many aspects of the sufferer's life, from driving to eye contact and job interviews.

Dr Rebecca McLean, Research Associate from the Ophthalmology Group at the University of Leicester based at Leicester Royal Infirmary and organiser of the event said: "Raising awareness for Nystagmus is so important as many people have never heard of the condition. We see adults and children with Nystagmus that attend our clinics that have been given little information previously and are eager to learn as much as possible about what having Nystagmus will mean for them or their child.  Further research is desperately needed in order to further our knowledge about the causes of Nystagmus and to develop new treatments.

"Increasing awareness means raising the profile of Nystagmus which could in turn help to raise more desperately needed funding for the condition."

During the event there will also be information available from Nystagmus Network UK, Vista and Action for Blind People, as well as games, a raffle and prizes to be won.

The sports day is one of many worldwide initiatives arranged to promote Wobbly Wednesday, taking place on 4 November, organised by the Nystagmus Network UK. The network provides information, help and support to sufferers of the condition.

Julie Stewart, mother to Scarlett who has Nystagmus, said: "As our daughter grows it is so important to raise awareness of Nystagmus so children and adults alike feel accepted and can flourish in life in whichever path they choose."

John Sanders, Nystagmus Network information and development manager, added: "Leicester is the biggest research centre for nystagmus in the UK so we're really delighted that they've come up with this fun way of raising awareness of this eye condition.

"It also shows that just because you have Nystagmus, it doesn't mean you can't play sports."

The sports day takes place on Sunday 1 November between 10am - 2pm at the Charles Wilson Sports Hall, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE2 7LX.

An information stand will also be available in the main restaurant at Leicester Royal Infirmary from 10 - 2pm on Wobbly Wednesday, 4 November, for people to come along and talk to eye experts about the condition.