FOR many people, going blind may be the scariest thing they will ever encounter.

But one inspirational woman from Oxfordshire has spent two decades helping blind people come to terms with their condition – despite being registered blind herself.

Daphne Dorman, 79, has been running Oxford’s macular disease support group at St Andrew’s Church in North Oxford for nearly 20 years.

With more than 80 members on her books, she organises speakers to come and talk about the impact of losing eyesight.

She said: “We have doctors, social workers and anyone who can speak about eyesight or the loss of it.

“And then we have demonstrations of equipment and audio book exchanges to help people come to terms with their disease.”

Now Miss Dorman, who lives in Woodstock, has been put forward for an award to recognise her efforts.

She has been nominated for a National Sight Award, an annual award from the Macular Disease Society.

Miss Dorman has been running the group since 1992, despite developing macular disease in one of her eyes in 1989.

Then two years ago, she began to lose the sight in her second eye and was registered blind.

She said: “I used to go and visit members of the group, but now I can’t drive so I can’t do that anymore.

“You can’t read small print, and sometimes it is very difficult to read at all. It is also difficult to recognise people on the street, which can be a bit embarrassing. Things all become a bit of a blur.”

Macular disease is the most common cause of sight loss in the UK and currently affects more than half a million people in the UK, most over the age of 65.

It affects the central vision of sufferers and leaves them with a limited peripheral view.

There are two forms of the disease – the ‘wet’ form, which is caused by leaking blood vessels. This type can happen quite suddenly, though it can now be treated if caught fast enough.

The ‘dry’ form, which Miss Dorman has, is slower acting. But there is no known cure.

She said: “Sometimes it is extremely traumatic for people who go blind suddenly.

“But I enjoy running the group very much, they are lovely people and if I can help in any way, then I am very happy to do that.

“And the award is a huge honour, I’m extremely touched.”

Miss Dorman was nominated by Pat Taylor, who has been a member of the group for the past 15 years.

She said: “Daphne is a devoted, caring individual who started this group back when there was very little known about macular disease.

“She continues to organise very interesting and informative meetings as well as teaching peripheral reading classes. She is truly an inspiration to us all.”

The winners will be announced at the society’s conference in London on September 25.