Highlights Importance of Regular Eye Health Checks
This September, 4Sight Vision Support (4SVS) will once again be lending its support to National Eye Health Week (NEHW). This nationwide awareness week will be held from 18 – 24 September and promotes the
importance of good eye health and the need for regular eye health checks for all.
Sight is the sense people fear losing the most, yet many of us don’t know how to look after our eyes – National Eye Health Week aims to change all that! Two million people in the UK are living with sight loss that is severe enough to have a significant impact on their daily lives, yet half of this sight loss is avoidable.
Regular eye health checks can detect early signs of conditions, including glaucoma, which can be treated if found soon enough. In addition, during an eye health check, other health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure may be detected. Those living with sight loss should continue to do so as checking for further changes in the eyes can help make the best use of remaining vision and prevent any unnecessary further sight loss. 4SVS will be raising awareness with a focus on prevention and the importance of getting things checked out.
In the run up to NEHW, 4Sight Vision Support, in partnership with Blind Veterans UK, is hosting a Sight Loss Awareness Day in Chichester on Tuesday 12th September. This drop-in event is free and is open to anyone of any age living with sight loss, their friends, families and carers, and presents an opportunity to find out more about the practical help and support that is available to those affected. It is being held at the Jubilee Hall, New Park Community Centre, Chichester from 1 – 3pm, refreshments are included.
When was the last time you had your eye health check? Why not pledge to make sure you are up to date this NEHW? If you need help finding your local optician or if you are unable to attend due to mobility please contact 4SVS for advice.
For further information contact 4Sight Vision Support 01243 838001 or email fundraising@4Sight.org.uk Further information about Blind Veterans UK can be found at www.blindveterans.org.uk
About 4Sight Vision Support
It is estimated that there are over 2 million people living with sight loss in the UK, and over 36,200 people living with sight loss or low vision in West Sussex (RNIB Sight Loss Data 2023).
4Sight Vision Support is a registered charity founded in 1921. For over 100 years the team has been providing face-to-face specialist advice and support to over 2,800 people living with sight loss in West Sussex each year. 4Sight Vision Support also supports parents, carers and other family members whose lives are impacted by sight loss. It works across West Sussex and all of its services are free. Its holistic and person-centred approach ensures that a diagnosis of sight loss is not a one-way road to loss of independence and reduced health and wellbeing outcomes. It delivers outreach services in urban and rural settings, social support, emotional support and advocacy, provides daily living aids and accessible technology, transport, as well as eye health information, including preventative information to help people retain and preserve their sight. 4Sight Vision Support achieves this with a small, highly skilled and dedicated team, and with the support of around 200 volunteers