We are proud to have been asked to sponsor the UK’s fourth National Eye Health Week. This is a collaboration between opticians, ophthalmologists, eye health charities and organisations. It aims to encourage everyone to have regular sight tests and raise awareness of the importance of healthy eyes.
It takes place from 16 to 22 September 2013, organised by The Eyecare Trust and includes events around the country.
The Eyecare Trust is a registered charity that exists to raise awareness of all aspects of eye health and the importance of regular eyecare. The charity is governed by a board of trustees representing a broad range of interests from across optics.
Getting the message out about simple steps everyone can take to preserve their vision is achieved by website tools such as online questionnaires and social media messages. These highlight the following facts about eye tests:
• 1.8 million people in the UK are living with sight loss. For 53% of these, a simple sight test and new spectacles could really help.
• A sight test can detect early signs of conditions like glaucoma, which can be treated if found soon enough.
• During a sight test, other health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure may be detected.
• For healthy eyes, eat well, don’t smoke and wear eye protection in bright sunlight.
We plan to demonstrate our commitment to improving the UK’s eye health by:
• sharing these messages with our customers and followers
• illustrating the link between diet and eye health
• highlighting the role-specific nutrients play in maintaining good eye health.
Fight for Sight and the College of Optometrists will become NEHW partners and Primary Health Net will team up with NEHW to help boost recognition and engagement from eye health intermediaries and the public.
Commenting on this announcement Francesca Marchetti, Chair of NEHW said: “These alliances are key to the success of NEHW 2013, as well as providing much-needed funding for the campaign we’ll be working together on some really exciting and innovative projects that we hope will create a genuine step-change in public awareness of the importance of good eye health and the need for regular sight tests for all.”
‘Vision really matters. Sight is the sense people fear losing the most, yet many of us don’t know the best way to look after our eyes.’
National Eye Health Week 2013 aims to change all that.