This year's National Eye Health Week (NEHW) has begun.
From 18 to 24 September the campaign, which is run by the charity National Eye Health, will be promoting the importance of good eye health and the need for regular eye tests for all.
This year, NEHW has seven themes; one for each day. These are:
- Myopia and Me – A tween to teen campaign highlighting increasing levels of myopia, why early diagnosis is important and advances in myopia management and control
- Digital Eye Care – Top tips to prevent screen fatigue whilst at work, rest and play
- Eye on Mental Health – Exploring the links between eye health and your mental well-being
- Live Well, See Well – How lifestyle factors can influence eye health. This will be supported by the publication of Vista, a 52-page consumer magazine packed with essential lifestyle advice to help you take the best care of your vision and eye health
- Vision Matters Photographic Competition & Exhibition – building on growing evidence of the effectiveness of the arts in influencing the adoption of health enhancing behaviours
- Smoking & Sight Loss.
As a founder partner of National Eye Health, The College of Optometrists is a proud supporter of NEHW. This year, two of our Clinal Advisors will feature in publications during the week-long campaign.
Denise Voon will talk about myopia in children in the campaign’s bespoke magazine, Vista, and Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu will provide advice on eligibility and access to NHS eye care for Health Awareness.
David Cartwright is chair of Eye Health UK. He says:
“Awareness & public health messaging are key elements of the proposed national eye health strategy for England and are vital for improving the eye health of people across the UK.
“NEHW provides the ideal platform for the sector to come together to highlight the importance of routine eye tests and adopting healthy lifestyle habits to prevent avoidable sight loss and poor eye health.”
More information throughout the week can be found on the Vision Matters website.