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National Eye Health Week 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