Championing eye health the Eye Heroes way
Eye Heroes delivers workshops to teach children about the importance of eye health, so they can become eye health champions by educating their friends and family on the importance of regular eye check-ups. Every time someone goes for an eye test, it could potentially be saving their sight. Even when the test shows that someone’s eyes are completely healthy, very often people discover surprising things about their eyes. We’d like to share a few recent stories with you that show what we mean.
After an Eye Heroes workshop with the Girl Guide Group in the Midlands, two Guides convinced their friends to go for an eye test. One of their friends had never been before, and discovered she needed glasses. Another friend already had glasses but after going for her test, she discovered her prescription had changed and that she needed stronger glasses. We’re so proud of the Guides for being amazing Eye Heroes, spreading the word and helping people see better!
Promotional poster made following an Eye Heroes workshop with a Guide group in the Midlands.
We’ve also listened to our own message, and several of us volunteers at Eye Heroes have recently had sight tests. Student volunteer Jack, who had never been for a sight test before, discovered he has astigmatism – where the light entering the eye is focused in more than one place on the retina, due to the lens or cornea being unevenly curved. Astigmatism is a refractive error (like long- or short-sightedness), and Jack experienced eye strain and headaches. While he didn’t need glasses, Jack now understood why he was getting headaches and knew to take regular breaks from screens to prevent it happening.
When communications volunteer Kay went for a sight test, she received the great news that her eyesight had actually improved – so this meant she needed a new prescription and new glasses. Another key member of our team, Liz, who’d last had an eye test three years ago, discovered her glasses were very much the wrong prescription.
It was important that Kay, Liz, and the Guides’ friends went for a sight test, as it is essential glasses and contact lenses are the right prescription. Symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, eye strain, and blurred vision can occur when people wear glasses with the wrong prescription. So, going for a regular sight test at the right intervals – which is every two years for most adults – is crucial to be checking on your eye health and your glasses (if you wear them) are the right prescription. These appointments really are important!
~ Rebecca Sykes