Local Assembly Member Paul Davies has pledged his support for National Eye Health Week, which takes place 21 - 27 September 2015. National Eye Health Week brings organisations and health professionals from across Wales and the UK together to raise awareness of the importance of good eye health and the need for regular sight tests.
Mr Davies said, “I’m delighted to once again support National Eye Health Week. It’s important that we all take much more interest in our eye healthcare as sadly, the figures tell us that many people across Wales have never had their eyes tested. National Eye Health Week is also a great opportunity to highlight local eye care issues such as cataract treatment, to ensure that these issues are constantly being heard at an Assembly level.”
Ceri Jackson, Director of RNIB Cymru and chair of the National Eye Health Week steering group in Wales, said: “Every day in Wales nearly 3 people lose their sight but 50% of sight loss is avoidable with early detection and treatment. The most important thing people can do to look after their eyes is to go for regular sight tests.
“Research shows that more than 1 in 10 of us have never had our eyes tested. Sight is the sense that people fear losing most yet many of us don’t know the best way to look after our eyes. We want to change that.
“Many people think a sight test is just about checking whether your vision needs correcting with glasses or contact lenses. But there are other important reasons to have a sight test. A regular sight test can help detect eye conditions before you notice the effect on your sight, including health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
“National Eye Health Week is an opportunity for people to come together and raise awareness of the need to be proactive about our eye health in the same way as we would in relation to other health conditions. I’m delighted that Paul has pledged his support and hope that as many people as possible can join us during the week in doing their bit to stop people losing their sight unnecessarily.”