Focus on your eye health says optometrist in support of National Eye Health Week
Regular check-ups are essential to protect our vision and overall health yet many of us don't take the time to think about the importance of caring for our eyes, says an independent Sheffield optometrist.
As National Eye Health Week approaches, Alex Gage, who runs two practices in Crosspool and Woodseats, urges Sheffield residents to prioritise booking an eye examination if they do not have one regularly.
Alex is backing the week-long campaign running from 18 to 24 September organised by Vision Matters, a charity that promotes the importance of eye health and the need for regular sight tests.
He said: "Routine eye examinations are crucial for not only helping to detect any problems with your vision, they allow eye health professionals to also check for more general health problems and a wide range of conditions that can lead to sight loss if not treated in time.
"Half of all sight loss cases are preventable - and an eye examination can detect eye disease, such as glaucoma and other health conditions such as diabetes, raised cholesterol, high blood pressure and increased risk of stroke."
He added: "Raising awareness and educating people about the importance of looking after their eyes through regular testing and better lifestyle choices is absolutely vital to addressing the nation's eye health problems."
David Cartwright, chair ofNational Eye Health Week, said: "Over recent years we have seen how National Eye Health Week can connect with people and promote positive action. An eye test is quick and easy, and for a lot of people, including children and over-60s, is free on the NHS.
"Poor eye health is affecting every aspect of daily life. Our message is clear: people across the UK, of all backgrounds, age groups and genders need to recognise that our vision is both precious and fragile, and thus the risks to it need to be understood, accepted and addressed.'
Last year's Generation Eye Report, commissioned byNational Eye Health Week and Specsavers, foundalmost 14 million people in the UK have not had an eye test at least every two years as recommended, despite the fact that one in two had expressed worries about deteriorating vision later in life.
To find out about events taking place across Yorkshire forNational Eye Health Weekand to learn more about the campaign, visit www.visionmatters.org.uk.
For information about the services available at Alex Gage Family Optometrist or if you have an enquiry regarding eye health and vision, please contact Alex Gageat 857 Chesterfield Road, Woodseats, on 0114 274 8582 orat48 Sandygate Road,Crosspool, on0114 266 7066.
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Photo: Supporting British Eye Health week Alex Gage supports Eye Health Week
For more information or to arrange an interview with Alex Gage or wife and fellow optometrist Sarah, please contact Tracey Baty at three60 marketing on:
Direct line: 01430 871360
Mobile: 07971 961574
E mail:traceybaty@three60marketing.co.uk
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Notes to editors
Please visitwww.alexgagevision.co.ukfor more information about the extensive services and products that Alex and his wife, and fellow optometrist, Sarah Gage provide at their practices.
To keep up to date with news from Alex Gage Family Optometrist, find the company onFacebookandTwitter.
For more information about National Eye Health Week, please visitwww.visionmatters.org.uk.