The charity behind National Eye Health Week (NEHW) is urging everyone in optics to get behind this year’s campaign and spread the word on eye health.
The aim of the annual campaign, run by the charity Eye Health UK, is to encourage people to get into the habit of having regular eye examinations and make lifestyle changes that benefit their eye health.
David Cartwright, chair of Eye Health UK, said: “There’s perhaps never been a more important time for the profession to come to together and shine a light on optics – with ophthalmology now the number one reason for hospital outpatient visits in England, and the pandemic leading to millions of missed sight tests and hospital eye appointments.”
The campaign will seek to remind people why ‘vision matters’ and inspire the public to be ‘eye aware’ as it highlights red flag symptoms of poor eye health, and shares details of the good habits to keep eyes healthy. These include spending time outdoors, being screen smart, eating a healthy diet, being active and having regular eye examinations.
NEHW will also highlight how the right eyewear can enhance daily lives.
David explained: “We hope to give patients greater confidence to discuss lens options and coatings when visiting their dispensing optician with our ‘Life through a lens’ resources, which include posters, social assets and media content.”
Activity to support the week will include a podcast, an online vision checker and vision simulator, and a virtual background graphic that practitioners can use as a backdrop to remote consultations. The charity will also run a high-profile media campaign incorporating eye health supplements in leading national newspapers and publish a digital edition of Vista, the week’s official magazine.
David added: “Vista magazine is a unique publication that uses lifestyle themes to communicate important eye health advice in an engaging and accessible way. Practitioners can use the magazine on their social channels or in email communications with their patients.”
To get involved in National Eye Health Week 2021, visit www.visionmatters.org.uk
To support the campaign through social media channels, create your own posts and include the hashtags: #EyeWeek or #VisionMatters or ‘like’ and ‘share’ the social content posted from:
A comprehensive supporter resource pack featuring posters, leaflets, infographics and social media assets will be available for practitioners to download from the Vision Matters website from 1 September.