Turning the focus onto healthy eyes

Newham residents will be able to find out information about eye care and deal with any vision problems at a range of special events planned by Newham Council as part of National Eye Health Week.

It is estimated that the vision of just over half of the 1.8 million people across the UK who live with sight loss could be improved through taking a simple sight test or having new glasses. Around 360,000 people in the UK are registered as blind or partially sighted.

Five free information and advice sessions are being held by the council during the national awareness week which runs between Monday September 21 and Friday September 25.

People will be able to have an eye test, get diet tips to help maintain healthy eyes, and information on the services provided by the council and other organisations to support those suffering from visual impairments.

They will also be able to see what it is like to write in Braille, attempt to solve optical illusions and take part in blind spot games.

The special events are being held on:

Monday September 21,  from 2pm to 4pm at Green Street Library, Green Street

Tuesday September 22, 10.30am to 12.30pm at Manor Park Library, Romford Road

Wednesday September 23 , 10am to 2pm at East Ham Customer Service Centre and Library, Barking Road

Thursday September 24 , 2.30pm to 4pm at The Gate Community Neighbourhood Centre, Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate

Friday September 25, 2.30pm to 4pm at Barclays Bank, High Street North, East Ham.

Cllr Clive Furness, mayoral advisor for adults and health, said: “Our eyesight is an extremely valuable thing and it is vital that we do all we can to protect it. It is important that people have regular eye tests as they not only pick up potential problems with vision but can also detect other health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes and the early stages of glaucoma.

“If people do have visual impairments there is a wealth of help available to them. These events will give people advice and tips to help them look after their eyes and raise awareness of the support on offer.”

Anyone experiencing sight problems and want to discuss the support that may be available to them should call the council’s Adult Social Care Access Team on 020 8430 2000 (option 2) to request a referral to the Information and Equipment Demonstration Area (IEDA).

People aged under 16, or under 19 and in full time education, over 60, are diabetic, registered blind or partially sighted, who have a family history of glaucoma, or in receipt of benefits could be eligible for free eye tests. More information can be found at www.newham.gov.uk/eyehealth

More information on National Eye Health Week can also be found at www.visionmatters.org.uk