Regular check-ups are essential to protect our vision and overall health yet many of us don’t take the time to think about the importance of caring for our eyes, says Alex Gage as National Eye Health Week approaches (18 – 24 September).
Alex and the team at both Woodseats and Crosspool practices are backing the week-long campaign running from 18 to 24 September and are urging Sheffield residents to prioritise booking an eye examination if they do not have one regularly.
Alex said: “Routine eye examinations are crucial for not only helping to detect any problems with your vision, they allow eye health professionals to also check for more general health problems and a wide range of conditions that can lead to sight loss if not treated in time.
“Half of all sight loss cases are preventable – and an eye examination can detect eye disease, such as glaucoma and other health conditions such as diabetes, raised cholesterol, high blood pressure and increased risk of stroke.”
He added: “Raising awareness and educating people about the importance of looking after their eyes through regular testing and better lifestyle choices is absolutely vital to addressing the nation’s eye health problems.”
David Cartwright, chair of National Eye Health Week, said: “Over recent years we have seen how National Eye Health Week can connect with people and promote positive action. An eye test is quick and easy, and for a lot of people, including children and over-60s, is free on the NHS.
“Poor eye health is affecting every aspect of daily life. Our message is clear: people across the UK, of all backgrounds, age groups and genders need to recognise that our vision is both precious and fragile, and thus the risks to it need to be understood, accepted and addressed.’
Last year’s Generation Eye Report, commissioned by National Eye Health Week and Specsavers, found almost 14 million people in the UK have not had an eye test at least every two years as recommended, despite the fact that one in two had expressed worries about deteriorating vision later in life.
To find out about events taking place across Yorkshire for National Eye Health Week and to learn more about the campaign, visit www.visionmatters.org.uk.