23 September 2024

National Eye Health Week highlights importance of good eye health

Public health

National Eye Health Week runs from 23 to 29 September and is filled with activities that promote the importance of good eye health and the need for regular sight tests for all.

Although vision is one of the senses people fear losing the most, many people don't know how to look after their eyes.1 National Eye Health Week aims to change that.

As a founding partner in the annual awareness-raising event, the College will be playing an active role to support the message.

Safer driving webinar

On Tuesday 24 September College Clinical Adviser, Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu MCOptom, takes part in in a webinar organised by the Older Drivers Forum and hosted by one-time Blue Peter presenter, Valerie Singleton. The College is playing a vital role in ensuring our roads become safer for all drivers, including those who still drive in their older years. Paramdeep will be answering questions from online participants. 

Look out for Vista!

Paramdeep also features in this year’s Vista magazine, where he explains what patients can expect at a routine sight test and what to take along to the appointment.

Download the magazine

How you can spread the word

Communicating the importance of regular sight tests to your patients is vital. In our recent podcast episode, College Clinical Advisers Denise Voon MCOptom, Daniel Hardiman-McCartney FCOptom MBE, and Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu MCOptom, provide tips on effective ways to reinforce the message. 

Listen to the podcast

Looking after their eyes

Throughout the week, our Clinical Advisers will provide advice on the College's patient facing website LookAfterYourEyes.org. The open-access audio clips will reflect the week’s themes of: 

  • routine sight tests & vision screening, and healthy colour vision
  • enhanced primary eye care services
  • keeping kids’ & teens’ eyes healthy, and sight after sixty
  • affordable eye care
  • live well to see well

Members can list their practice details on LookAfterYourEyes.org for patients searching for a local optometrist.

List your practice

Guest appearances

Clinical Adviser, Denise Voon MCOptom, guests on the National Eye Health Week podcast chatting with other eye health professionals. 

Guardian readers will enjoy a free eye health supplement in the 26 September issue of the national paper. The ‘Vision and Eye Health’ supplement, produced especially for National Eye Health Week, features expert comment from College Clinical Adviser, Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu MCOptom.

Find out more

1. National Eye Health Week. Vision Matters

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