Simon Jones: Beyond the Snellen chart

As a constructive critic of National Eye Health Week (NEHW) in the past, it has been brilliant to see eye health messaging disseminated far and wide between September 23 and 29. Industry engagement was the highest it has been for a long, long time, with all the sector’s major stakeholders getting involved with initiatives, research and special care projects. 

It’s a good job so many stakeholders did get involved, because research from NEHW organisers Eye Health UK released data that found 19 million (36%) adults in the UK have not had an eye test in the past two years. Industry engagement with NEHW and its values is just the first layer in engaging the public on increasing their understanding of maintaining healthy eyes. If the sector doesn’t go deeper with its messaging, the figure of 18% of over-65s that haven’t had an eye exam in the past two years is only going one way.