Member Article

Romford optician re-opens in new Liberty Centre home, putting region’s growing glaucoma issue in the frame

After 20 years providing Romford residents with eye health services from the Mercury Shopping Centre, Vision Express has reopened in a new home in the Liberty Centre – and launched the store with an event to promote the growing issue of glaucoma.

The latest figures reveal there are 8,228 cases in the London Borough of Havering, in which Romford is based, equating to 6% of the local population. And despite the condition being the biggest cause of preventable sight loss worldwide, it is often symptomless. An estimated 600,000 people in the UK have glaucoma, yet research indicates half of those are undiagnosed.

The Vision Express Romford team, which has an impressive 77 years of combined optical experience, welcomed Subhash Suthar from the International Glaucoma Association as a guest of honour at the new Liberty Centre location. As well as cutting the ribbon to officially open the store, he offered advice to the team about the importance of sight-saving eyedrops for those affected by glaucoma.

“Sadly, glaucoma is a long-term, chronic condition which is mostly symptomless – sometimes referred to as a silent thief of sight,” explained Subhash. “The increase in diagnosis of glaucoma, in an increasing elderly population, has NHS services creaking at its seams. The huge problem is that eye drops are a first line treatment, yet many people stop using them because they don’t feel any benefit, and this leads to gradual visual loss. Glaucoma is a condition many people are unaware of so it’s important to be able to raise awareness with Vision Express.”

“I want to thank the Romford team for inviting me to open the newly refurbished store. It was a delight to meet them and provide guidance on treatment options. I hope they feel they can better support their customers who have been diagnosed with glaucoma.”

The IGA has been a charity partner of Vision Express since 2015. Together they work to raise awareness of the importance of eye tests in the early detection of glaucoma, so that more people with the condition can be treated.

Vision Express Romford store manager, Ian Cutts said: “We’re hugely grateful to Subhash for helping launch our new store by putting a focus on supporting those affected by glaucoma. Some of our customers have been anxious about using the eyedrops and questioning how effective they are, so the information Subhash provided will be valuable for us to pass on and put them at ease.

“We are really proud of our updated store; the changes have impressed our existing customers and we’re looking forward to welcoming new residents through our doors.” Vision Express offers an eye test to best practice guidelines of the College of Optometrists (COO), with each Vision Express optometrist being a qualified eye health professional.

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