UK practitioners have been called upon to urge their local MEP candidates to sign the European Coalition for Vision’s Manifesto ahead of tomorrow’s European Parliamentary Elections.
The Optical Confederation flagged up the manifesto, which vows support for eye health and vision throughout the five-year term of the next European Parliament.
As a founding member of the ECV, the Optical Confederation said it worked closely with partners to push optics up the agenda in Europe and take the same coordinated message back to national decision-makers and health commissioners.
The Manifesto has outlined that over 20 million people are suffering from serious vision impairment across Europe. According to UK Vision Strategy this would include some 2 million people in the UK, a number which is expected to double by 2050.
Julie-Anne Little, president of ECOO, said: ‘The European Coalition for Vision promotes eye health and vision, improves access to care and supports individuals with sight loss across Europe.
‘By signing the Manifesto, politicians are underlining their support for these goals and commit to working with us to achieve them through European legislation.’
David Hewlett from the Optical Confederation added: ‘We are very grateful to those candidates and MEPs who have already signed up and encourage all OC members to press candidates in their local area to back the ECV Manifesto.’
