John experiences revolutionary new sight screening technology that could save constituents' sight
13 March 2009
To mark World Glaucoma Day, John Baron joined RNIB and researchers from Moorfield’s Eye Hospital (London) at a parliamentary reception where exciting new technology under development was revealed that will improve access to potentially sight saving tests for glaucoma.
Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of preventable blindness. It is estimated there are 67 million glaucoma sufferers in the world, but over 50% are undiagnosed, rising to 90% in the developing world. 500,000 people are affected in the UK but half are not receiving treatment because they are unaware they have the disease.
John said:
“I urge local people to have an eye test and ensure they are not one of the 250,000 people in the UK with undiagnosed Glaucoma. Without an eye test you won't find out until it's too late, as Glaucoma doesn't have any symptoms in its early stages and you can lose up to 40% of your sight before realising anything is wrong.”
Steve Winyard, RNIB's Head of Campaigns and Chair of the Glaucoma Alliance UK, said:
"If caught early enough glaucoma can in nearly all cases be successfully treated and no sight need be lost. A regular simple eye test can pick up glaucoma in its early stages before you know that anything is wrong. That's why, alongside all the other organisations in the Glaucoma Alliance, we are encouraging everyone to book an eye test."
Many people are entitled to receive free eye tests. People who are over 40 and have a close relative with Glaucoma, have diabetes, are aged 60 or over, or who themselves or their partner receive benefits, family credit, pension credit.
For more information about glaucoma, visit www.rnib.org.uk or call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999. For more information about World Glaucoma Day, go to http://www.wgday.net/index.php
Notes
The attached photograph shows John with Mr Edward Garway-Heath of Moorfields and Steve Winyard, Head of Policy and Campaigns at RNIB.
WORLD GLAUCOMA DAY: www.wgday.net World Glaucoma Day is a joint initiative by the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) and World Glaucoma Patient Association (WGPA) designed to promote awareness of eye health and the importance of regular eye examinations to prevent unnecessary sight loss.
The new screening technology is the result of a nine year partnership between researchers from Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and the Department of Optometry and Visual Science, City University London.
The aim of this new test is to improve global glaucoma detection. Designed to be effective, affordable and accessible to all, the test software in development will run on a standard PC or laptop. Eventually, it is hoped that it will also be made available online, enabling clinicians from all over the world, including those in developing countries, to use it.
