Dr Susan Blakeney, the optometric adviser to the College of Optometrists, has appeared live on Channel Five's Doctor Doctor twice during August.
Channel Five approached the College for a spokesperson to appear on the show and examine presenter Dr Mark Porter's eyes. GP Dr Porter co-hosts the daily show with consultant psychiatrist Dr Raj Persaud.
On the programme on August 2, Dr Blakeney photographed Dr Porter's fundus, using equipment loaned to the College by instrument company Topcon and talked briefly about a number of eye conditions including glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.
She also emphasised the importance of regular eye examinations, and the importance of being aware of what vision is 'normal' for you in each eye. During the show Dr Porter listed five 'Top Tips' provided to the programme by the College. Dr Blakeney made a second appearance on the show on August 16 to talk about cataracts.
These television appearances follow significant media coverage generated by the College from recent research it has commissioned including poor hygiene habits of contact lens wearers and how women risk their eye health by keeping their eye make-up longer than recommended.