http://www.visionmatters.org.uk/ Fri, 18 May 2012 11:27:32 +0000 SmartWeb Content Management System http://www.visionmatters.org.uk/news/news/post/26-national-eye-health-week-qa Q. What is National Eye Health Week? National Eye Health Week (NEHW) is an annual awareness week that brings together eyecare charities, organisations and health professionals from across the UK to raise awareness of the importance of good eye health and the need for regular sight tests for all.
Q. When does it take place? The third National Eye Health Week will take place on 17 - 23 September 2012.
Q. Why is NEHW so important? Sight loss is even more feared than cancer, AIDS, stroke, heart disease or diabetes [American Foundation for the Blind 2007]. Yet many people are still unaware of the simple steps they can take to help safeguard their sight and maintain healthy eyes.
NEHW provides a unique opportunity for the ophthalmic community to come together to promote powerful eyecare messages and encourage more people to take positive steps to protect their sight – actions that will ultimately improve the nation’s eye health and contribute towards a reduction in avoidable sight loss.   By using the Week to simultaneously connect with our own audiences on a national, local or individual level we can help raise eyecare up the public and political health agendas.   Vision matters and together we can make a real difference to the health of the nation’s eyes.
Q. Who should get involved? Anyone who has an interest in eyecare – whether you are directly involved in optics, or not, we’d love you to join in and take part.   Q. How can I get involved? There are many different ways that you can participate and we’ll shortly be publishing a Guide to Getting Involved, detailing lots of inspiring things you can do during the Week.
In the meantime, however, you can visit http://www.visionmatters.org.uk/what-can-you-do/what-can-you-do for some great ideas to get you started.
We will also be producing a resource pack to help you celebrate the Week. To register for your FREE pack please email melissa@visionmatters.org.uk or call 0845 2268 063.   For details of our limited ‘official partner’ sponsorship opportunities please email rachel@visionmatters.org.uk.   Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @myvisionmatters for all the latest news alerts. ]]> Giles Butler Thu, 10 May 2012 13:59:51 +0000 http://www.visionmatters.org.uk/news/news/post/25-practitioners-urged-to-get-involved-in-national-eye-health-week-2012 In an interview published in Optometry Today, Francesca Marchetti, Chair of the National Eye Health Week Steering Group, urges practitoners to get involved and support this year's campaign. For the full story go to http://www.optometry.co.uk/news-and-features/news/?article=3370 

]]> Giles Butler Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:10:26 +0000 http://www.visionmatters.org.uk/news/news/post/24-save-the-date The third annual National Eye Health Week will take place 17 – 23 September 2012. This year’s awareness week will see an increased focus on promoting mass participation from national and regional stakeholders. Watch this space for news of exciting opportunities to get involved with the campaign and demonstrate that vision matters!

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