THE ONLY charity dedicated to improving the lives of blind and partially sighted people in Worcestershire – Sight Concern - is to mark World Glaucoma Week with a special event in the city.

Restaurant Massalla Lounge in Broad Street, Worcester, is hosting an Indian Food Extravaganza on Monday March 13 to raise money for the charity and mark the start of World Glaucoma Week.

Guests attending the event will be greeted by one of the leading glaucoma specialists at Worcestershire Royal Hospital Mr Tarum Sharma. Mr Sharma is Clinical Director of Ophthalmology at the hospital.

He said: “I’m delighted to be hosting this event on behalf of Sight Concern Worcestershire and, as it’s happening in World Glaucoma Week, it gives us an opportunity to raise awareness of this condition which is a leading cause of blindness.”

He added: “Everyone’s at risk but people over 40 with a family history of the condition are particularly so, as are people who have diabetes or high blood pressure. The good news is if you go for a regular eye examination with your optometrist it can be detected early and, although there’s no cure as yet, it can usually be controlled before it progresses to the point of sight loss.”

The fund-raising and awareness event includes a three-course meal and entertainment.

Jenny Gage, chief officer at Sight Concern Worcestershire said: “We’re so grateful to the Massalla Lounge and to Mr Sharma for hosting this event. We’re also looking forward to being serenaded by a local singing group before we eat and to magic and other delights later in the evening courtesy of Strawberry Owen Productions.”

For more information and tickets ring 01905 723245 or email p.weir@sightconcern.co.uk. To find out more about glaucoma go to http://www.sightconcern.co.uk/eye-information/common-eye-conditions.