National Eye Health Week 2020 call to action

Digital assets now available to download

The organisers of National Eye Health Week (NEHW) 2020 are urging the optical profession to get involved and use it as a platform to promote the vital role that eyecare practitioners play in keeping Britain healthy.

The Week, which runs from 21 to 27 September, aims to remind the public why their vision matters and encourage everyone be ‘eye aware’. Central to this will be a call to action to contact your local optical practice if you notice a change to your vision or have any concerns about your eye health.

David Cartwright, chair of Eye Health UK, the charity responsible for organising the NEHW campaign, explained: “NEHW provides a unique opportunity for everyone involved in optics to join forces and inspire people to take positive steps to keep their eyes and vision healthy as well as preventing avoidable sight loss.

“Delays in people seeking treatment during lockdown and reduced capacity in optical practice mean it’s important that those with greatest need are prioritised. This year’s National Eye Health Week will seek to mobilise those that are experiencing problems with their vision or eye health and encourage them to seek help from their local eyecare practitioner.”

The campaign will also see advice being offered on ‘looking after your eyes’ and share 10 Best Eye Health Habits. These include: eating a healthy, balanced diet, not smoking, watching your weight and wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV damage.

Each day of the Week will feature a different theme. Themes for 2020 include: Ageing eyes, screen use and children’s eye health.

David continued: “Focusing on a different daily theme gives us a chance to keep refreshing our communications and reach out to some of those groups most at risk of avoidable sight loss.”

Activity to support the Week will include a podcast, new online eye health calculator and vision simulator.

Supporters will also be encouraged to get involved in the NEHW Social Distancing Challenge and wear T-shirts that prompt people to book an eye test if they can’t read text equivalent to 6/12 when standing two metres away.

This year’s media campaign incorporates eye health supplements in leading national newspapers and a digital edition of Vista, the Week’s official magazine, which uses lifestyle themes to communicate important eye health advice.

Download a supporter resource pack, featuring posters, leaflets, infographics and social media assets, here.