News

Eyesight is a key factor in road safety, but one that is often ignored. Visual acuity, field of vision, night vision, contrast sensitivity and other visual functions can all compromise safe driving.

We estimate there are nine million drivers on the Britain’s roads with vision that falls below the legal standards of vision for driving [1]. More than 90% of information a driver uses is visual so ensuring your eyesight is up to scratch is crucial. Research [2] shows drivers with vision that falls below the legal standards struggle to stay in lane, read road signs or keep a consistent speed. Poor eyesight also hampers your ability to react to unexpected hazards.

Road crashes involving a driver with poor vision are estimated to cause 2,900 casualties and cost £33 million in the UK per year [3].

Having regular sight tests – once every two year’s unless advised otherwise by your optometrist – and wearing your prescription eyewear every time you get behind the wheel is essential to improve road safety and reduce the risk of injury to you and other road users.

Take a look at our Clear Vision, Safe Driving leaflet for info on how to keep your vision roadworthy.

[1] Based on roadside checks data collected by the charity in conjuntion with West Mercia Police

[2] Fit to Drive driving simulator assessment conducted at Brunel University

[3] Fit to Drive: a cost benefit analysis of more frequent eyesight testing for UK drivers, RSA Insurance Group plc, overview available on the Road Safety Observatory

We've been working with the team at COVID -19 Infographics to produce a series of posters deigned to share important eye care advice to BAME audiences. There will be four posters / infographics in the series:

Eye health during COVID-19
Eye test mythbusters
Eye health awareness parts 1 & 2

Translated into 30 plus languages including Hindi, Arabic and Polish.

Click the poster below for more information...

Published: 23 September 2020

Unprotected exposure to Autumn sunshine can put you at increased risk of suffering common sight-threatening eye conditions such as cataract and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) .

As the sun crosses the celestial equator on the Autumn Equinox (September 22 2020 14:30 GMT) the highest point on its trajectory reduces to just 40-degrees. David Cartwright chairman of National Eye Health Week explains: “When the sun is high in the sky our brow bone acts like a built in sun shade and prevents damaging UV light entering the eye. When the sun is low in the sky during Autumn months the total amount of UV radiation your eyes are exposed to dramatically increases.”

Cumulative UV exposure has been found to promote the onset of cataract[1] and has been implicated in the development of a range of other eye conditions including photokeratitis, pterygium and macular degeneration – the UK’s leading cause of blindness.[2]

One simple way you can tell if your eyes are in danger of UV damage is to look at your shadow. If your shadow is shorter than you, you should protect your eyes using a hat, sunglasses or UV protective lenses.

You should also protect your eyes whenever the UV Index rises to three or more. For the latest UV forecast visit the Met Office website

[1] Linetsky M, Raghavan CT et al. "UVA light-excited kynurenines oxidize ascorbate and modify lens proteins through the formation of advanced glycation end products: implications for human lens aging and cataract formation." Journal of Biological Chemistry, May 2014. DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M114.554410

[2] UV and the eye, review of the latest research, Professor James Wolffsohn, Aston University, 2012

Published: 22 September 2020

Lifestyle counts when it comes to looking after your eyes. Here, David Cartwright, optometrist and chairman of Eye Health UK shares his ten top tips to help you keep your eyes and vision healthy.

1. Be eye aware. Call your local optician if you notice a change in your vision or have any concerns about your eye health. The optometrist can assess your symptoms and advise on next steps.

2. Eat right for good sight. Eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, fish, nuts and oils can all help protect your sight.

3. Watch your weight. Maintaining a healthy weight can help protect against conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – the UK’s leading cause of sight loss and glaucoma. The NHS Better Health campaign has lots of helpful advice and tips if you are trying to lose weight.

4. Be active. Being physically active has been shown to reduce your risk of visual impairment by 58 per cent versus somebody with a sedentary lifestyle.

5. Quit smoking. Smokers are up to four times more likely to lose their sight than someone who has never smoked.

For help to quit smoking visit: nhs.uk/smokefree

6. Cover up. Slip on a pair of sunglasses whenever the UV Index rises to three or more to minimise your risk of developing conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration

Look out for a CE or British Standard or UV 400 mark to ensure your shades provide adequate UV protection.

7. Go outdoors. Spending time outdoors can give your eyes a boost and actually reduce your risk of short-sightedness (myopia). Two hours outdoor play is thought to be beneficial for children.

8. Be screen smart. A staggering 90 per cent of us say we experience screen fatigue – tired or irritated eyes, blurred vision, headaches and poor colour perception.

Avoid eye strain by following the 20-20-20 rule, especially if you’re using a computer for long periods of time. Look 20 feet in front of you every 20 minutes for 20 seconds.

9. Wear Safety Glasses. Every year in the UK 30,000 people suffer a DIY-related injury. Always wear good quality safety glasses when doing jobs around the house.

10. Make-up Bag Makeover. Germs can build up on your make-up palettes and brushes and cause eye infections and irritation. Make sure your regularly wash all brushes and sponges and adhere to the ‘period after opening’ (POA) time on your cosmetic products.

Published: 20 September 2020

As plans for the UK’s biggest promotion of vision and eye health are announced organisers are urging the optical profession to get involved in National Eye Health Week and use it as a platform to promote the vital role that eyecare practitioners play in keeping Britain healthy.

The Week, which runs 21 September – 27 September 2020, 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 National Eye Health Week (NEHW) campaign explains: “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 eye care practitioner.”

The Week will also offer advice about 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 kids’ eye health.

David continues: “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.  

The charity will also be publishing a comprehensive supporter resource pack featuring posters, leaflets, infographics and social media assets will be available to download from the Vision Matters website from early September.

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.

The charity will also be running a high-profile media campaign incorporating eye health supplements in leading national newspapers and publish of a digital edition of Vista, the Week’s official magazine.

David explains: “Vista magazine is a unique publication that uses lifestyle themes to communicate important eye health advice in an engaging and accessible way.”

To get involved visit our electronic resource centre for more info.

Published: 3 September 2020

Hot breath escaping from the top of a face mask[1] can cause your spectacles or sunglasses to steam up, making it difficult to see clearly.

So, following the government’s advice that we should wear face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (eg: in some shops), Eye Health UK has compiled these six top tips to help Britain’s 30 Million + spectacle wearers beat the fog!

1.    Keep your lenses clean

Cleaning your lenses with your regular spectacle lens cleaning solution creates a thin film on the surface of the lens that can disperse fine water molecules in your breath and help prevent the lens misting up.

If you don’t have any lens cleaner to hand, try washing your lenses in warm soapy water.

Carefully wash your spectacles or sunglasses in soapy water – washing-up liquid works well – shake off any excess water and leave to air dry (or gently dry with a soft cloth).

Never use a paper towel or your sleeve to dry your lenses and avoid abrasive cleaners.

2.    Apply anti-fog lens coatings or sprays

Your dispensing optician can provide remote (telephone / email or video conference) advice on anti-fog lens coating or off-the-shelf anti-fog spray, waxes or gels that are available to order online.

3.    Seal it up

Use double-sided sticky tape to ensure your mask fits snuggly across the bridge of your nose and check bones. This is not recommended for extended wear.

4.    A good fit

A well fitted mask will dramatically reduce the amount of air escaping. Masks with a mouldable frame can help you achieve a good fit.

If you’re wearing a home-made mask, try sewing a channel along the top edge of the mask and inserting a pipe cleaner (or similar) so you can shape the fit around your facial features.

5.    Double strap tying technique

A trick used by hospital surgeons is to tie the top straps of a surgical mask firmly below the ears before tying the bottom straps above the ears around the crown of the head. This forms a snug fit across your nose and checks and vents air from the side of the mask.[2]

6.    Breath in a downwards direction

As a temporary fix you can try breathing downwards so the air you breathe out flows away from your glasses.

Technique: Hold your upper lip over your lower lip. Then blow air downward, as if you’re playing a flute.

Remember – always fit your mask to your face, not to the frames of your glasses!

[1] According to a study published in The Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England, a face mask directs much of the exhaled air upward.

 
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4474252/

Published 13 May 2020

Eye Health UK has published an essential guide to caring for your eyes during the coronavirus pandemic on the vision matters website.

The guide provides the public with advice about how, and when, to access primary eye care services during the pandemic as well as tips on keeping your eyes and vision healthy during lockdown.

A host of issues are covered inside the handy guide including: what to do if your contact lens prescription expires; the provision of post-operative care and protecting your eyes from DIY disasters.

The charity’s chairman, David Cartwright comments: “It’s vital that the public are clear about how to look after their eye health during these extraordinary times and know how the optical sector are here to help as they provide vital telemedical care and support the NHS frontline effort.” 

The charity is also promoting important public health messages and advice on social media channels using the hashtag #COVID19EyeCare throughout the pandemic.

Twitter: @myvisionmatters

Instagram: nationaleyehealthweek

Click here to read the COVID19 Eye Care Guide

Published: 6 April 2020

Whilst routine eye tests have been suspended across the UK high-street optical practices are still providing essential eye care services.

Essential eye care services include:

-  Providing replacement eyewear for key workers, vulnerable and elderly patients.

- Telephone or video consultations for patients with acute symptoms* or those requiring post-operative care.

Visit your local optical practice website or call them for more information about how to access these services if you are in need.

If your own practice is unable to help, they may be able to inform you of a local alternative.

The Macular Society website has the latest guidance on visiting your local eye clinic for macular degeneration (AMD) appointments. Click here for more information

*eg; painful / red eye, contact lens discomfort, foreign object in eye or a sudden change in vision.

Published: 25 March 2020

The Centre for Ocular Research and Education (CORE) has issued advice on wearing and caring for your contact lenses and spectacles amidst Novel Coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic.*

Advice released on 12 March 2020 is as follows:

Contact Lens Wear is Safe. Contact lens wear remains a safe and highly effective form of vision correction for millions of people worldwide.

Proper Hand Washing is Essential. When using contact lenses or spectacles, careful and thorough hand washing with soap and water followed by hand drying with unused paper towels is paramount. For contact lens wearers, this should occur before every insertion and removal.

Disinfect Contact Lenses. Contact lens wearers should either dispose of their daily disposable lenses each evening, or regularly disinfect their monthly and two-week lenses according to manufacturer and eye care professional instructions.

Disinfect Spectacles and Glasses. Some viruses such as COVID-19 can remain on hard surfaces for hours to days, which can be transferred to spectacles wearers’ fingers and faces.

Discontinue Lens Wear if Sick. Ceasing contact lens wear when sick is advised, consistent with guidance for other types of illness.

Spectacles are Not Proven to Offer Protection. There is no scientific evidence that wearing spectacles or glasses provide protection against COVID-19 or other viral transmissions.

For more general advice see our short guide to wearing and caring for your contact lenses here

For the latest Public Health advice on hand washing and staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

* https://core.uwaterloo.ca/news/top-contact-lens-experts-dispel-misinformation-regarding-coronavirus-covid-19-protections-for-contact-lens-wearers/

Published 17 March 2020

National Eye Health Week (NEHW) 2020 will take place 21 – 27 September.

Building on the success of the 2019 campaign – which enjoyed support from over 3,000 organisations including the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England – this year’s campaign will once again focus on raising awareness of the simple things we can all do to look after our eyes and help prevent avoidable sight loss.

David Cartwright, Chair of Eye Health UK, the charity responsible for running the Week, said: “We hope to encourage everyone with an interest in vision and eye health to come together this September to promote engaging eye health messages and create a public health campaign that has a positive and tangible impact on the nation’s eye health.”

National Eye Health Week has gained significant momentum over recent years and is now a firm fixture in the public health calendar.

Highlights from NEHW 2019 included the production of a comprehensive supporter resource pack; the publication of Vista magazine; a nationwide poster campaign; the launch of an online vision simulator giving people a glimpse of what it’s like to live with four common causes of sight loss; the publication of eye health supplements in the national press; a comprehensive media relations campaign (generating 218 Million opportunities to see positive eye health messages); a social conversation with a reach in excessive of 66 Million and The Big Blink – an initiative aimed at improving eye health in the workplace.

One in four UK adults say they remember seeing, hearing or reading something about eye health during the Week. Of these three quarters (74%) say they were encouraged to take better care of their eyes, doing things like booking an eye examination (37%) or quit smoking (7%).[1]

Sixty per cent of optical practices responding to the NEHW19 supporter evaluation survey reported an increase in sight tests in and around the Week.

David Cartwright continues: “National Eye Health Week achieves a great deal on limited resources and has built strong foundations on which to leverage the ‘prevention’ ‘agenda and significantly raise the profile of optics. To fulfil the potential of National Eye Health Week requires substantial investment, so watch this space for future funding appeals.”

To join the NEHW supporter mailing list or for information about sponsorship opportunities and other ways you can get involved in National Eye Health Week 2020 please email us.

[1]  Populus Omnibus Survey of 1,094 UK Adults between 02.Oct.19 and 03.Oct.19