Partner Article

‘Vision Van’ offers free eye tests to Mancunians

Vision Express and the International Glaucoma Association bring free eye health initiative to the Trafford Centre on Monday 12 March to mark the start of World Glaucoma Week (12–18 March 2017)

National optical retailer Vision Express is offering Manchester residents free eye tests this World Glaucoma Week (12–18 March 2017) as statistics show the rate of sight loss due to glaucoma is higher in Manchester than the national average

Members of the public are invited to have a comprehensive 30-minute eye test aboard the Vision Express Vision Van – a high tech mobile testing unit – between 9am – 5pm on Monday 12 March 2017 at Manchester’s Trafford Centre.

Manchester was selected as the first Vision Van pit stop of its UK wide tour for World Glaucoma Week 2017 after the city was identified as having an increased prevalence of the silent sight-threatening condition.

Public Health Outcomes Framework Data figures show that the rate of sight loss due to glaucoma is higher in Manchester than the national average (17.6% in comparison to the national average of 12.8%), while 34% of Manchester residents are aged over 40[1] – one of the ‘at-risk’ groups associated with glaucoma. In Greater Manchester, this demographic increases to almost half (46%) of the county’s 2.75 million population[2].

One of the biggest causes of preventable sight loss worldwide, glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye conditions in which the main nerve to the eye (the optic nerve) is damaged where it leaves the eye. This nerve carries information about what is being seen from the eye to the brain and, as it becomes damaged, vision is lost. There are an estimated 600,000 people with glaucoma in the UK, but research[3] indicates half of those are undiagnosed.

Vision Express Trafford Centre store manager Chris Milne said: “Early detection and treatment for glaucoma is essential to save sight and an eye test is the best way to check for symptoms of the condition, especially as they can often go unnoticed.”

Joining forces with Vision Express for World Glaucoma Week is the International Glaucoma Association (IGA). Development manager, David Harris who has worked with the charity for the past seven years, will be helping educate van visitors on the condition, while demonstrating the aids available to people who need to apply daily eye drops.

David previously worked in the pharmaceutical sales industry and is now responsible for supporting patients and raising awareness about the ‘silent thief of sight’. He explained: “Despite close relatives having an increased risk of developing glaucoma many people in at risk groups don’t realise they could be affected by it. As it can be symptomless, worryingly it’s often not until the glaucoma has taken hold that people seek medical attention. With Vision Express, we hope to encourage everyone in Greater Manchester to have that regular eye test to ensure if they do have the condition that it is detected early and treated, particularly as the majority of individuals who are diagnosed early will retain useful sight for life.”

Those unable to visit the Vision Van can still benefit from a free eye test by downloading an online voucher by 26 March from the Vision Express website: (www.visionexpress.com/world-glaucoma-week-2017/free-eye-test) The voucher can be redeemed from 8 March until the end of April 2017 at any of approximately 400 Vision Express stores across the UK.

To find your nearest Vision Express store and make an eye test appointment visit: www.visionexpress.com/opticians/.

[1] ONS, population estimates 2015

[2] ONS, population estimates 2015

[3] 2012: College of Optometry; Quant Research; Britain’s Eye Health in Focus 2013

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Vision Express .