Scrolling text may allow macular degeneration sufferers to read books We have developed an application that converts epub documents used to create electronic books into this format automatically. Macular degeneration is caused by gradual degradation of the retina at the back of the eye, making it difficult for sufferers to see. Over time is often enlarges leaving people with severe sight problems. Dame Judi Dench, the actress, recently revealed that she is affected by the condition. Professor Walker has created an app for the iPad to help sufferers read books. The MD_evReader app will be available to download for free later this month. It causes text to scroll across the screen at an adjustable speed in large brightly coloured letters. He said: "Volunteers who have been involved in testing the app have largely reported that the experience of reading was greatly improved with this system. The idea is to let people with macular degeneration to read books on their own again. As the iPad can be connected up to a television screen, it means it is possible to make the text really big if necessary. But Professor Walker added that publishers would need to help by making their content available without Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection as it prevents the text from being converted. Some publishers have already stopped using DRM and Helen Jackman, chief executive of the Macular Society, called on others to follow their example. She said: "This app represents an excellent opportunity to help people affected by macular disease to read more easily. However, for it to be able to reach its full potential we need publishers to stop using DRM in a way that compromises accessibility.