Eye disease no barrier to Norris ambitions

PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL Senator David Norris spoke yesterday of an eye condition which he has been suffering from, while stressing it would not deter him from pursuing a bid for the presidency in the autumn.

Mr Norris (66) was diagnosed five years ago with the wet version of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which affects one in 10 people over the age of 55. It can cause blurred or tunnel vision and in extreme cases, blindness.

Wet AMD is caused by new blood vessels growing behind the retina causing bleeding and scarring which leads to sight loss.

It is incurable, but can be contained, and researchers at the Waterford Institute of Technology have been at the forefront in developing dietary supplements to arrest its progression.

Speaking at a lunch held by the charity Fighting Blindness yesterday in the Shelbourne Hotel, Mr Norris said he was feeling “splendid” and his condition had not worsened since he was diagnosed in 2006. “There has been no noticeable deterioration. I can read without glasses. I can drive perfectly well. I have AMD in a mild form and there is great hope out there,” he said.

Mr Norris said he had already appointed a director of elections, Liam McCabe, and has a team of 10 directors to deal with all aspects of a possible campaign.

He has written to all the county councils seeking the four nominations that would allow him to stand as Dana and Derek Nally had done in the past. Failing that, he is hopeful of getting a nomination from at least 20 members of the Oireachtas after the general election.