A former solider left virtually blind by a serious a medical condition has launched an innovative fundraiser - aiming to buy an electronic device that could transform his life.

Carlisle man Chris Clarry, 52, who became a truck driver and transport manager after his six year career with the Royal Corps of Transport, has completely lost the sight in right eye after contracting the eye condition glaucoma.

He has only minimal vision in his left eye.

Chris has regained some of his independence thanks to his guide-dog Quaver, but he hopes that new device called an OrCam can give him yet more independence.

Mounted on a pair of what looks like traditional spectacles, the device effectively becomes the eyes of the wearer, recognising faces and even reading text.

Chris, of Chertsey Bank, off London Road, has used the online fundraising website JustGiving to launch a campaign to raise the £2,500 he needs to pay for an OrCam.

“After leaving the Army I became a truck driver working for a local haulage firm in Carlisle but [a few years ago] I had an eye test and they discovered that I had pressure behind my eyes. They discovered that I have glaucoma.”

The condition – made worse when Chris developed sepsis five years ago – completely destroyed the vision in Chris's right eye, while in his left eye he now has only seven or eight per cent of his vision remaining.

Robbed of his ability to drive, Chris took up work as a transport manager but as his eyesight in his good eye got worse it became impossible to do that job.

Asked how his visual impairment had affected his life, Chris – a married father with a grandchild – said the impact was dramatic.

“Obviously, I can no longer drive and that was a job I loved,” he said. “That knocked me into depression.

"I got Quaver in March and she gets me out of the house, which is marvellous. Before I got her I was stuck in the house for two years.

“Before my eyes deteriorated I took everything for granted.

“I've had to adapt: everything in the house has to be in its place, and we have a bigger than normal TV.

"Even simple things like making a cup of tea are a challenge. I've scalded myself twice. I can't cook hot foods.”

Glaucoma factfile

* Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve and can result in vision loss and blindness.

* The condition is the result of your optic nerve being damaged by the pressure of the fluid inside your eye.

* It is not curable, and vision lost cannot be regained.

* Most types of glaucoma have no symptoms, so a regular eye test is the only way to know you have the condition.

* An estimated 250,000 people suffer from the condition in England and Wales, with those over the age of 40 most at risk.

* Studies show that a further 250,000 cases remain undiagnosed.

For more information, log on to www.rnib.org.uk, or http://www.eyecaretrust.org.uk

The new OrCam device has been available for about 18 months but without fundraising, said Chris, he will not be able to afford one.

Yet its possible effect on his life would be potentially huge, allowing him to read labels on goods in supermarkets, recognise who has walked into a room, and read books and computer screens.

“It would bring my visits to a supermarket down to an acceptable speed,” he said. “Without that kind of help, it takes me about two hours to find and buy two items. This device will help me to live a normal life.”

Chris's JustGiving page went live last month and so far he has been offered pledges worth more than £400 thanks to the generosity of 27 donors.

If you would like to donate, you can find his page by clicking here .

Alternatively, search for his name on the Just Giving website.

Chris added that he was deeply grateful for the help he has so far received.