An emotional new video released for Macular Awareness Week shows how the common condition can affect your sight

A moving film following five years in the life of a mum who is losing her sight has been released to mark Macular Week.

Macular disease is a degenerative eye condition that is the UK's leading cause of sight loss, affecting more people in the UK than Alzheimer’s disease, yet many people remain unaware of what it is and who is affected.

According to survey carried out by the Macular Society only 63% of people know of the condition, despite 600,000 people living with it in Britain, and around 200 people being diagnosed every day.

To mark Macular Week (25 June – 1 July) and raise awareness of the condition, the society has released the powerful new film, 5 years through the eyes of a mum.

The film follows the journey of a mother as she gradually loses her sight to macular disease and struggles to see her son grow up. The emotional film shows how the condition can lead to people being unable to drive, read, watch TV or recognise the faces of their closest friends and family.

By 2050 the number of people with macular disease is expected to double to more than 1.3m.

Cathy Yelf, chief executive of the Macular Society, said: “Macular disease is largely incurable and untreatable and a diagnosis can leave people feeling depressed, isolated and uncertain about their future.

“People describe losing their sight as being similar to a bereavement and we have seen first hand the impact it can have on their lives.

“More people are affected by macular disease than they are by Alzheimer’s, yet awareness remains low. With one in three people knowing someone with macular disease we want to continue to raise awareness so we can keep funding vital research, which will one day lead us to a cure.”

The Macular Society, which founded Macular Week in 2015, is working closely with Vision Express during the week to highlight the importance of regular sight tests.