Major alliance calls for action to prevent fears becoming a reality
Sight is the sense that nine out of ten people most fear losing, according to the findings of a survey released today (18 April 2008). The UK Vision Strategy - developed by over 650 organisations from across the sector - is calling for action to prevent their fears becoming a reality.
Over 650 organisations and individuals, with support from the UK Governments, developed the UK Vision Strategy, launched today, to set the direction for a radical improvement in the eye health of the nation.
Bob Hughes, Chief Executive of the Association of Optometrists, member of the Eye Health Alliance said: “This strategy shows how we can significantly reduce avoidable sight loss in the UK, and as a key building block, the importance of regular sight testing in spotting eye problems early enough for effective treatment cannot be over-stated.”
Around 50 percent of sight loss in the UK is preventable but people continue to lose their sight because treatable conditions are going undetected. Right now as many as 250,000 people in the UK risk losing their sight simply because they don't know they have glaucoma.
The UK Vision Strategy is a VISION2020 UK initiative working with partners from all areas of the sector, to develop a unified plan for action on all issues relating to eye health and sight loss, across the four countries of the UK. The strategy was developed in response to a World Health Assembly resolution in 2003, which urged the development of national plans to tackle sight loss. The development has also been supported by representation from all the UK governments.
The UK Vision Strategy is launched today (18 April) at a conference at the Intercontinental Hotel, One Hamilton Place, Park Lane London To find out more visit www.rnib.org.uk/ukvisionstrategy or www.vision2020uk.org.uk.
