Backlogs exacerbated by the pandemic have increased the importance of raising awareness of eye health, said organisers of National Eye Health Week (NEHW).
David Cartwright, chair of Eye Health UK, told Optician the optical profession needed to come together to remind people why vision matters.
‘Undoubtedly, the pandemic has made eye health issues worse. I think there’s no question about that,’ he said.
Cartwright highlighted fewer patients had attended sight tests, which had created a delay to being diagnosed with conditions like glaucoma. For patients who already live with glaucoma, appointments have not happened, which has contributed to a difficult situation.
Key messages
He added that a key message of NEHW this year was to attend regular appointments at an optical practice and if patients notice any changes, they should book an appointment immediately.
‘One of the things we’re reminding people of is the importance of the sight test and how that will identify diseases as early as possible. Then also giving patients the confidence that they can go to a sight test. They shouldn’t be worried about doing that from a point of view of catching Covid. Practices are well set up to manage their patients. If patients notice a particular problem, or if they’re worried about something, they should go and get it looked at rather than think, “Oh, it might go away.” They should go and get it looked at immediately,’ he said.
NEHW takes place on September 20-26 and each day has a particular message about eye health, such as reducing screen time and spending more time outdoors.
Cartwright explained: ‘The general message on progression of myopia seems to be that the more time spent outdoors, the better. Being screen smart is connected with visual fatigue and dry eye. If you’re staring at a screen for any length of time, it’s a good idea to have regular breaks.’
David Cartwright, Eye Health UK chair
Among this year’s initiatives was a partnership between Eye Health UK and Thompson Software to create an online check for patients that measured distance vision.
‘It’s aimed at people who are reluctant to go and have a sight test, but they can do an online vision check. It’s the best I’ve personally seen in terms of instructing people how to do it so that they get an accurate result. It then encourages them to go and have a full sight test,’ he said.
A resource pack has been created, which included posters, leaflets, infographics and social media assets that could be used as patient communication tools in practice and online.
Practitioners were invited to use the free resource materials to talk to their local community, host events and create displays.
Why vision matters
Organisers also highlighted that NEHW provided an ideal opportunity for practitioners to make and build relations with other primary care providers and local public health stakeholders.
‘One key aspect of the week we’d encourage everyone to get involved in is our FrEYEday initiative when we hope to light up social media with stories of why vision matters. To share your story simply download a My Vision Matters Because banner from our website, fill it in and share a photo on your social media using the hashtag #FrEYEday,’ Cartwright said.
He explained that eye health has and will always be an issue. ‘We know that a lot of poor eye health is avoidable through early detection and early treatment. That raises the importance of regular sight tests so people identify any issues early and get them treated.
‘We’ve had the pandemic and that will mean that many people have missed their regular sight tests. It is all the more important now to raise awareness in their minds to go and get that done and to remind them that optical practices are open for sight tests. The more we can do that, as eye care practitioners, it’s got to be hugely important to prevent disease rather than just continually treat disease,’ he concluded.
