Member Article

Vision Express sets sights on macular disease with latest Vision Van tour

National optical retailer teams up with charity partner, the Macular Society, for Macular Week (25th June – 1st July)

As the UK welcomes Macular Week (25th June – 1st July), Vision Express is taking its new Vision Van on the road to raise awareness of the importance of regular eye tests – as new research reveals one in three people know someone with macular disease.

Macular disease affects more people in the UK than Alzheimer’s, yet many people remain unaware of what it is and who is affected. A new survey, conducted by leading sight loss charity, the Macular Society – a charity partner of Vision Express – has shown only 63% of people know of the condition, despite there being 600,000 people living with it in Britain, and another 200 people diagnosed every day. By 2050 the number of people with macular disease is expected to double to more than 1.3m.

This Macular Week, Vision Express is working closely with the Macular Society, taking its Vision Van to eye health hotspots, and highlighting the vital role regular sight tests play in detecting conditions like macular disease early.

The Vision Express Vision Van was launched in March 2018 and has since journeyed the length and breadth of the UK offering free eye tests to the public. This week, it will be stopping at: Cardiff (Tuesday 26th-Wednesday 27th June) and Gloucester (Thursday 28th June), before heading to Truckfest West Midlands and Wales in Malvern (30th June-1st July), to educate commercial drivers on the potential dangers of driving without roadworthy vision.

Jonathan Lawson, CEO at Vision Express, said: “We are delighted to be working with the Macular Society again this year and applaud the important work they are doing to raise awareness of this sight stealing condition.

“Although a cure for most macular disease is yet to be found, some macular conditions can be treated if detected early enough. Having regular eye tests is vitally important to help prolong healthy eyes, and for those already diagnosed with the disease, advice from our expert optometrists can make a real difference to a customer’s quality of life.”

Macular disease reduces your ability to see colours or make out fine detail. People affected are often unable to drive, read, watch TV or recognise the faces of their closest friends and family. To highlight the devastating impact losing your sight can have, the Macular Society has produced a short film to raise the profile of the debilitating condition. The film, launched during Macular Week, follows the journey of a mother who is losing her sight to macular disease and is struggling to see her son grow up, and can be viewed via their website, social media and youtube.

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