National Eye Health Week

Despite the fact that over half of all blindness and visual impairment could be prevented, with early diagnosis, only 66% of UK adults have taken an eye test in the past 10 years, according to the RNIB.

So the RNIB are running National Eye Health Week, to raise awareness of how to look after your vision and avoid sight loss.

As well as possibly preventing blindness, regular eye examinations can also lead to the discovery of the early stages of other illnesses, such as diabetes, so can be useful for general all-round well being, not just seeing if you need glasses.

The RNIB point out a number of simple ways of avoiding sight loss, such as stopping smoking, wearing sunglasses, wearing safety goggles when doing DIY and eating a balanced diet, all of which could reduce the figure of 100 people in the UK losing their sight every day.

Sight loss can happen to anyone so looking after your eyes is very important and something most people don’t think about until it’s too late.

Visit the RNIB web site for more information on Eye Health Week.

RNIB Charity Skydive

Ever thought about jumping out an aeroplane from about 2 miles up?  How about doing it to raise money for the UK's leading charity for blind and visually impaired people?

The RNIB is holding a Skydiving event on Saturday 4 June 2011 in Peterborough.  To experience the adrenaline rush of a lifetime participants only need to pay a £50 registration fee and raise at least £300 for the RNIB.  The jump will be in tadam with an instructor so no experience is needed and training will be given on the day.  A thrilling freefall for 5000 feet at nearly 120 miles per hour is followed by a peaceful 5 to 7 minute ride once the canopy is opened, where you can enjoy thre amazing scenary.  The experience of a lifetime.

Why the RNIB?:

Every day 100 people in the UK start losing their sight. RNIB gives people who have lost their sight vital support to help them find their lives again. Right now RNIB can only reach one in three of the people who need our help the most. Join Team RNIB and help us reach them all.

Quote from the RNIB  website

For full details and conditions visit the RNIB web site by clicking here.

Not your thing? You can get involved in one of the RNIB's other fundraising events by clicking here.

QAC Sight Village event, Birmingham July 12-15

The Queen Alexandra College (QAC), Birmingham is holding it's Sight Village event from today (July 13) til 15 July 2010  at New Bingley Hall, Hockley Circus in Birmingham.  Exhibitors and major sponsors from around the globe will showcase new technology at the exhibition, which can aid the blind and visually impaired.

Visitors can see how mobile phones can be transformed into text magnifying CCTV devices or experience handling guide dogs.  Affordable gadgets to improve accessibilty, from magnifiers, computer software and audio devices will be on show and give users the chance to compare and contrast and work out which products can fit with their personal lifestyle and disability.

The QAC are a national charity, specialising in training and education for the blind and visually impaired.  They hold regular Sight Village exhibitions in England, Scotland and Ireland.

For more information click here to find out about future events, including the next Sight Village in London on 2 and 3 November 2010.

Sight matters

This week is National Eye Health Week in the UK (14 to 20 June 2010).

With the slogan "Vision Matters", eye care charities, organisations and health professionals have got together to promote ways of keeping your eyes healthy, the importance of eye care and regular eye tests.

Sight is the sense people fear losing the most, so visit the National Eye Health Week "Vision Matters" web site by clicking here to find out about events and learn about eye tests.

Did you know?

1.8 million people in the UK are living with sight loss. For 53% of these, a simple sight test and new spectacles could really help.*

A sight test can detect early signs of conditions like glaucoma, which can be treated if found soon enough

During a sight test, other health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure may be detected.

For healthy eyes, eat well, don’t smoke and wear eye protection in bright sunlight.

Quote from Vision Matters web site

Get involved and tell your friends about the importance of eye checks.  Most vision loss is preventable, so catching problems early is essential.

National Glaucoma Awareness Week

This week is National Glaucoma Awareness Week (7 - 13 June 2010).  Glaucoma can only be detected by an eye test and the International Glaucoma Association (ICA) are using the week to try raise awareness to the 50% of people who are unaware they have the condition. 

Glaucoma is a preventable cause of sight loss.  You can read all about glaucoma on Vision Web Sight by clicking here.  Testing for the condition is key and the painless eye tests are free to the most at risk group, the over 40s and those with a family history of Glaucoma.

The Press Association has published a press release of news of a new treatment for glaucoma.  Surgeons have inserted the smallest medical device ever implanted into the human body into the eye of a Belfast woman, Mary McCall.  The iStent is a 60 microgramme piece of titanium which drains the fluid away from the eye, reducing the pressure which causes the condition. Read all about it by clicking here.

Techshare Mobile 2010 - Technology on the Move

The Techshare Mobile 2010 event, organised by the RNIB, has been announced on the RNIB web site.  This one day event will be held on 15 June 2010 at the ICC, Birmingham.

The event showcases innovative technology from mobile technology companies such as Nokia, Vodaphone and Research in Motion for the blind, visually impaired and people with other diabilities.

Techshare is a series of international events which highlight the importance of digital technology in the lives of people with disabilities. Join us in exploring how new innovations in assistive technology can enhance education, work, and play.

Quote from RNIB web site.

Places are limited so go to the RNIB site to find out more information, a downloadable draft programme and to get a booking form.