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College of Optometrists launches series of videos to mark National Eye Health Week
Videos explain a range of conditions, symptoms and treatments for common eye conditions children experience
Did you know that your child can have a sight test even if they can’t read? Did you know that a child is three times more likely to be short-sighted by the age of 13 if one parent is short-sighted? Did you know that you, as a parent, are at increased risk of developing glaucoma once you hit forty? Although research shows that 68 per cent of British people value their eyesight above all other senses, many may not know the symptoms associated with common conditions, many of which can be corrected.
As part of National Eye Health Week (18-24 September), The College of Optometrists has launched a series of educational videos that explain some of the most common eye conditions experienced by children. The videos, which are available to watch on the College’s consumer-facing website LookAfterYourEyes and the College’s YouTube page,
detail the signs to look out for and treatments for a range of conditions including amblyopia (also known as lazy eye) and short-sight. Conditions, and their treatments, are very clearly explained by the College’s in-house experts and Clinical Advisers Daniel Hardiman-McCartney and Dr Susan Blakeney.
Daniel explains; “We’ve launched these videos during National Eye Health Week to help members of the public understand the importance of regular sight tests. So often, I see patients who have ignored symptoms for quite a while, and oftentimes parents do not know what to look out for in their children’s vision. It’s very important that you know what signs or changes in vision to look out for both you and your child so you know when to make an appointment with your optometrist. Regular eye examinations should form part of everyone’s health routine, after all looking after your eyes is just as important as looking after the rest of your body.”
More information about how to look after your eye health can be found here: www.lookafteryoureyes.org and more information about National Eye Health Week can be found here: www.visionmatters.org.uk/.