Member Article

Stockton residents neglecting their eye health

78% of those tested on the Vision Express Vision Van in Stockton-On-Tees found to need new prescriptions during World Glaucoma Week 2017

A Hartlepool resident who was advised to seek further medical attention due to a freckle on his optic disc, found during an eye test is urging others to get their sight routinely checked – as almost one in four Vision Van visitors admit to never having had their eyes tested.

Keith Braithwaite, aged 53, was one of two local residents to be referred to their GP after taking advantage of a free eye test on the Vision Express Vision Van. The high-tech mobile testing unit stopped on the High Street for one day only as part of a UK tour to mark World Glaucoma Week (12–18 March 2017), after Stockton-On-Tees was identified as having an increased prevalence of the silent sight-threatening condition.

Keith says: “I came to the Vision Van today when I saw it parked on the High Street because I knew I needed an eye test. I’ve been getting headaches recently so it was handy for me to pop by to see what it was all about.

“During my eye test, the optometrist detected a mole on the back of my eye, which I wasn’t familiar with or aware of. I have a referral to go back to the doctors, which is good, so they can do further investigations and see where we go from there.”

As a chartered building surveyor, Keith spends most of his time at his desk checking plans and specifications. “I rely on having good eyesight for my day-to-day job,” he explains. “I also use a computer for a couple of hours a day and then the rest of my time is spent on site checking building works.

“I’m glad I came to the van as it’s always best to get regular check-ups, and hopefully everything will be ok when I go to the doctors and get further tests. I would strongly recommend you get an eye test especially if you’re experiencing things like headaches or struggling with your reading, or even if you’re in denial about declining eyesight – get tested as soon as possible.”

Stockton-On-Tees was one of five cities targeted by Vision Express for World Glaucoma Week 2017, as Public Health Outcomes Framework Data figures show that the rate of sight loss due to glaucoma is higher in Stockton-On-Tees than the national average (16.4% in comparison to the national average of 12.8%). Plus, 50% of local residents are aged over 40 – one of the ‘at-risk’ groups associated with glaucoma.

Of those tested on board the Vision Van in Stockton, 78% were found to need new prescriptions, with over three quarters of residents admitting to not getting their eye health tested regularly.

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[2] indicates half of those are undiagnosed.

Those who missed the Vision Van can still benefit from a free eye test by downloading an online voucher by 26 March from the Vision Express website. The voucher can be redeemed until the end of April 2017 at any of approximately 400 Vision Express stores across the UK.

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