Preston based sight loss charity, Galloway’s Society for the Blind is campaigning for better eye health across Sefton as part of National Eye Health Week.
Katie Golding, Low Vision Specialist at Galloway’s, explains, “We know that at least 50% of sight loss is avoidable. At Galloway’s, we see daily examples of the devastation that sight loss can cause. Depression and lack of wellbeing are significantly higher amongst people with sight problems than those who are fully sighted. So naturally, campaigning for better eye health in the community is a big part of the work we do within the community.”
Research shows that sight is the sense people fear losing the most, yet many people don’t know how best to look after their eyes. National Eye Health Week is a week-long intuitive set up by Vision Matters to address just that.
Throughout the week, Galloway’s can be found holding vision screening sessions in their centre on Wright Street in Southport and the Lady Green Garden Centre. The will also holding a drop in day at their centre and in the Strand by Me shop. Galloway’s will also be giving out thousands of blocks of post it notes, reminding people to book an eye test. A simple sight test can detect early signs of conditions like glaucoma, which can be treated if found soon enough.
Suzanne Dennis, owner of Suzanne Dennis Optometrist, commented, “As an owner of a local chain of Optometrists, I see all too often people devastated by the effects of not looking after their eyes. Although sight is the sense we fear losing the most, people go to the dentist more than to the optometrist. By contrast, I do also see people coming who have noticed a problem with their sight early enough to treat it, which is great. I’d urge anybody who hasn’t had their eyes tested in the last two years to book an appointment today.”
Katie summarised, “Eye health and supporting people through sight loss is just as important to us this week as it is all year round, but we hope by taking advantage of the additional publicity that National Eye Health Week may bring, we will reach more people. If you’re worried about your sight, or just want some more information on eye health, please call us on 01772 744148”.
For full details of where you can find Galloway’s during National Eye Health Week please visit http://www.galloways.org.uk/national-eye-health-week/
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