NHS Trust says ‘don’t be in the dark about eye care’

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As part of National Eye Health Week, which runs from 21st – 27th September, Barnsley sensory impairment service team at South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust are inviting people in and around Barnsley to learn more about the importance of eye health and where they can go to get help for visual impairments or other eye related concerns.

Sight is the sense people fear losing the most, yet many of us don’t know the best way to look after our eyes. Currently 1.8 million people in the UK are living with sight loss, but for 53% of these, a simple sight test and new spectacles could really help.

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust are joining forces with leading eyecare organisations including Barnsley opticians, equipment experts, and sight loss charities to hold an information event in Barnsley town centre on Wednesday 23rd September between 10am and 2pm. It will take place at the Better Barnsley shop (old HMV), Cheapside, in the town centre.

The Trust’s Sensory Impairment service in Barnsley will be running their own information stall to encourage local people to think about looking after their eye sight by getting their eyes tested regularly and providing advice to people who have a visual impairment to help them to remain as independent as possible.

People will have the opportunity to take part in a vision loss awareness experience using simulation spectacles which give people an insight into what it could feel like to have a range of different eye conditions.

Moira Fuller, a senior rehabilitation officer with the service said: “Sight is often thought of as the most precious of our senses and as such, it is important to care for our eyes. Some of the most common eye conditions can be diagnosed by having regular eye tests, which could be available free of charge.

“These thorough tests, carried out at your local optician’s, can detect conditions such as cataracts, Glaucoma, Macular degeneration as well as Diabetes.  If problems are spotted early there is a better chance of effective treatment. If you do have a severe sight loss there is support available – the service can offer advice, support and training to people. As well as lots of information leaflets there will be a range of eye professionals to talk to at the event, so come along and find out more.”

To find out more about National Eye Health Week visit www.visionmatters.org.uk or to find your local optician visit www.nhs.uk

NHS Trust says ‘don’t be in the dark about eye care’

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