UK National Eye Week

[John R]

Ok after a lot of digging the best i can come up with at present is Sep 23 National Eye Week Which i found via the BUPA web site....Which says a lot for the state of UK optics.
Does any other Brit have any details of what we can expect to see happening during the week or is it going to be another wash out like last year with no coverage again....

[John R]

After mailing the eyecare trust who are resposible for the promotion i now have a couple of press releases to post..

The Eyecare Trust is a registered charity that exists to raise awareness of all aspects of ocular health and the importance of regular eyecare. It does this by providing accurate, unbiased information to the public and the media. Trustees include leading optometrists and representatives of the most eminent British ophthalmic institutions.

eyecare's website

[John R]

Roadside tests carried out by the Eyecare Trust, Specsavers Opticians and police confirm frightening reality

Random roadside sight tests carried out since Easter have proved that a terrifying percentage of Britain’s 33 million drivers have defective vision.

The checks were undertaken by representatives of The Eyecare Trust1 and Specsavers Opticians who also sponsored the research, together with police forces around Britain who stopped hundreds of drivers and asked them to go through the extremely basic sight test that forms part of the British driving test.

4.6% of those questioned were unable to read a number plate at 20.5 metres (67 feet) – the minimum distance required by law – while no less than one in ten drivers struggled to meet the legal standard. One man tested, who had just been driving on a major trunk road, had to be taken to within two metres of a number plate before he was able to read it.

By their own admission one in nine drivers have never had an eye examination and almost 20% admitted it was more than five years since they had had a sight test. Over a third had not had their eyes examined within the recommended period of two years.

Results of these checks suggest that there are likely to be around three and a half million drivers in the UK who find it difficult to meet even the basic eyesight requirement.

Iain Anderson, a Trustee of the Eyecare Trust, said: “The results provide strong confirmation of what we already suspected. The data gathered from these tests and other surveys carried out by the Eyecare Trust will now be presented to David Heath MP, Chairman of the all-party Parliamentary Group for Eye Health, to make the case to Government for introducing compulsory regular eye examinations for drivers.”

Mary Perkins, founder of Specsavers, said: “Since eyesight usually deteriorates slowly and can easily go unnoticed, drivers need to seek professional help rather than rely on their own judgement as to how good their eyesight is. I believe that driving with uncorrected vision is as serious an offence as driving under the influence of alcohol. Certainly, the consequences can be equally catastrophic.

“It is time that there was greater enforcement of the current laws governing drivers and eyesight and for the Government to acknowledge the need to safeguard the public. If our campaign and the work of the Eyecare Trust helps to increase public awareness and save just one life, then we have achieved something worthwhile,” Mary added.

Welcoming the roadside sight testing initiative, Sergeant John Roberts of the West Mercia Constabulary, one of five police forces that took part, said: “Most drivers know that worn or defective tyres on their vehicle can result in a fine and penalty points, but they are less likely to realise that driving with uncorrected defective eyesight is punishable with a fine of up to £1,000, three penalty points and possible disqualification2.

“Ninety per cent of the information a driver uses is visual,” Sergeant Roberts continued, “so we want to use regular testing to raise awareness of the fundamental importance of good eyesight. Drivers who fail to meet the required standards are breaking the law every time they drive and run the risk of causing death or serious injury.”

Specsavers optometrist Paul Carroll said: “As the law stands a driver may not have to submit to a compulsory sight test for up to 53 years – between taking a driving test at the age of 17 and the age of 70. We believe this is inadequate, especially as sight generally deteriorates with age. Many drivers think their sight is fine, but may not have noticed the changes that occur over time and impair vision.

“The vision standard for the current test was established in 1935 and is considered by many police officers to be seriously out of date. It also falls well short of what optometrists today consider a normal standard. There is no doubt that a full eye examination would provide a more reliable indication of the standard of a driver’s vision and any sight correction that may be required.”

98% of the drivers surveyed by the Eyecare Trust agreed that there should be compulsory sight testing for drivers at regular intervals, while 87% said that drivers who need eyesight correction should be required by law to carry a spare pair of spectacles in their car.

[John R]

Two-year-old Max Butterworth has been left blind in one eye after he was struck down with an eye disease. Now, during National Eye Week (23-29 September), The Eyecare Trust is urging parents to take their children for regular eye checks – no matter how young they are.

Earlier this year Max was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Coats’ Disease, a rare condition which affects one in 40,000 people annually. The disease causes blood vessels in the retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye) to develop leaks. In severe cases, such as Max's, the retina can become detached and the sufferer loses their vision.

Like millions of other parents, Max’s mum Cathy Butterworth had no idea how important it can be to take young children for an eye examination. “I didn’t really think it was possible to test the sight of very young children, but now I know how many things can be detected through a simple eye test I want to use Max’s case to highlight the need for children to have regular eye checks.”

It all started just after Christmas when Cathy first noticed that Max had a slight squint.
“I took him to our GP who referred him to the County Hospital. We managed to get an appointment there at the end of April. We were horrified when the consultant said that Max had a detached retina in his left eye and that he might have a tumour – it was absolutely terrifying,” said Mrs Butterworth.

Max was immediately referred to the Princess of Wales Children's Hospital in Birmingham. Fortunately Max did not have a tumour but it was confirmed that he had no vision in his left eye. “I couldn't believe it. We had never noticed Max have any problems – he isn't clumsy or anything," she said. "The doctor said no-one could say how long he has been blind in the eye."

"Max's condition is so aggressive it probably wouldn't have made any difference if we had caught it earlier, but In some cases it can be treated if caught early enough. However, there are so many other conditions that are relatively easy to treat if they are detected early that parents really should take advantage free eye tests for children on the NHS,” Cathy added.

Because they are paid for by the NHS, eye examinations cost families nothing for children up to the age of 16, or 19 if they are in full time education.
Eye examinations may also be free for older members of the family if you have direct relatives who have suffered from eye conditions such as glaucoma.

“Most parents don’t realise that their children’s eyes are fully developed by the time they are about eight years old,” said optometrist Rosie Gavzey, who is also a trustee of the Eyecare Trust. “Vision screening checks are often carried out by doctors, health visitors or at school, but these are not as comprehensive as a full eye examination by a qualified optometrist. The great thing to remember is that eye examinations are painless!”

Mrs Butterworth thinks Max is coping well with his loss of vision: “If it had happened later in life he probably would have missed it more,” she said. “But now he seems happy. It has been hard for me and his father Darren to cope with but now we want to find out as much as we can and warn other parents. If anyone else has experienced this I would love to hear from them.”

The Butterworth’s elder son is long-sighted and Max is also long-sighted in his good eye, so the family’s priority now is to ensure that Max’s remaining vision is preserved.

"We have been told that he may get Coats’ Disease in his other eye, his left eye may get more painful or he may contract something like glaucoma," said Mrs Butterworth. "He could even lose his eye if it gets too painful, but at least we know he is now under expert supervision."

Consultant paediatric ophthalmologist Harry Willshaw, who diagnosed Max, said, "It is a very rare disease and usually occurs in boys. At the hospital we only see one or two cases a year. In Max's case it was very severe. It usually affects older boys who are between about eight and ten. Max’s case underlines the importance of taking children for regular eye examinations, even if you think there is nothing wrong."

[John R]

Staff who use computer screens are still unaware of their rights

People who use computer screens (VDUs) at work are still largely unaware that they are likely to be entitled by law to regular eye examinations paid for by their employer.

The Eyecare Trust is joining forces with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association during National Eye Week (23-29 September) to highlight the problem and ensure that as many computer users as possible can benefit from free sight testing.

A recent survey carried out by Guide Dogs revealed that more than a third (38%) of workers who regularly use a VDU are not aware of this right. Fewer than half (49%) of those who knew they were entitled to a paid-for eye test had actually claimed one. Although these examinations should be paid for by employers, around 65 per cent of employees still arrange and pay for their own.

Under European legislation introduced in 1993, employers are obliged to pay for routine eye checks for all their staff who use a VDU for a significant part of their normal work. If it is found that the user needs eyewear specifically for their work at a VDU, the employer is also obliged to pay for a basic pair of glasses, or give the employee an equivalent amount of money towards a pair of their choice.

Symptoms frequently experienced by computer users include tiredness, headaches, dry or irritated eyes and blurred vision. Many of these problems can be overcome by making simple changes to the work station set-up and switching to new types of flat screen which present a clear, distortion-free image.

It has been found that reflection-free lens coatings are particularly beneficial on lenses specified for VDU use, while in some cases a special tint is also helpful.

A vision screener that enables computer users to run a basic check on their sight can be downloaded free from www.guidedogs.org.uk until the end of October. Developed by City University, the programme gives a basic test of the ergonomics of a person’s workstation before providing them with a series of eye tests. Participants simply cover their eyes with special 3D glasses available free direct from Guide Dogs
(0118 983 8228).

Part of the problem stems from employers not being informed of the VDU laws. Revealing the typical picture across the UK, a regional survey carried out by Cheltenham-based optometrists Keith Holland & Associates showed that almost 50 per cent of employers are unaware of their legal duty towards employee eye care.

“The results of the survey just confirmed what we had suspected” said Keith, “that even the most caring of employers are unaware of their eyecare obligation to their staff. Many people don’t think they need glasses, yet they are suffering from classic symptoms such as headaches and eye-strain. A routine check up every two years is so important for VDU operators – as it takes only half an hour employers should make it a priority.”

Follow the Eyecare Trust’s six-point plan to avoid the adverse effects of computer screen use:

1. Take a break. Give your eyes a rest every 20 minutes or so. You should have sufficient space behind your computer screen to be able to look beyond it and relax your eyes.

2. Measure up. Ensure that the screen is at a comfortable distance from
your eyes - usually around two feet (61cm) but possibly less for a laptop. If working from copy documents these should be placed at roughly the same distance to avoid constant re-focusing.

3. Choose your screen. If possible, use a monitor benefiting from the latest
technology with high resolution, minimal distortion, glare and reflection.

4. Direct the light. Position the screen so that windows and lights are to the side, rather than in front of or behind it. Adjust blinds or curtains to eliminate reflections on your screen.

5. Clean up. Keep your screen clean and free from dust or finger marks.

6. Claim an eye examination. Tell your employer about the VDU regulations and arrange an eye examination as soon as possible. This can be vital in detecting the early signs of more serious eye conditions.

If you want to know more, pick up the free Eyecare Trust leaflet ‘VDUs and Your Eyes’ from your optical practice, or log on to www.eye-care.org.uk. To download the free vision screener, visit www.guidedogs.org.uk.