Diabetes awareness campaign
RNIB Scotland and Diabetes UK Scotland ran a joint campaign to raise awareness of the importance of regular annual screening for diabetic retinopathy. Currently one in three people with diabetes is risking their sight by missing regular screening.
Obesity and eye health
RNIB Scotland's Open Your Eyes campaign highlighted the increased risk of sight loss associated with obesity.
Smoking and eye health
On Eye Test Action Day 2005 RNIB Scotland and partner institutions published research on smoking and eye health which proved that smokers are at least twice as likely as non-smokers to contract age-related macular degeneration.
The Smoking and Sight loss campaign run by RNIB Scotland won the Campaign of the Year trophy at the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations Award in May 2007.
Health warnings
RNIB Scotland is calling on the Westminster Government to introduce specific warnings on cigarette packets referring to the dangers of smoking to eye health. Evidence from Australia suggests that this message is particularly effective as a deterrent to smokers.
Scotland bans smoking
In Scotland there is particular concern of the dangers to eye health given the high levels of smoking. In Glasgow more than 35 per cent of people smoke and in Social Inclusion Partnership Areas, the figure is over 50 per cent.
The Scottish Parliament's decision to ban smoking in enclosed public places came in to effect on 26 March 2006.
RNIB Scotland, with support from the Scottish Executive, reinforced the eye health message during this period with a touring round 13 towns and cities with a hard-hitting DVD message that smoking doubled the chances of sight loss.