Over 50 per cent of sight loss is avoidable in the UK, and with no early symptoms, it's easy for eye disease to progress without you knowing. That's why a regular eye test is so important, so eye conditions can be detected early and treated where necessary.
Sadly, too many people never get round to having an eye test in the UK and undetected sight loss is a big problem.
Not only can reduced sight increase the risk of repeat falls, burns and cuts, it can also reduce someone's quality of life. Imagine struggling to read a newspaper, the bus timetable or even move around your own home with ease.
How you can help
RNIB have developed
Eyes Right, a simple and easy-to-use screening tool that can help you find people living with poor vision in your community - including friends, family and neighbours.
The tool is free to order and with our simple step-by-step training guide anyone can confidently identify people with poor vision.
How does Eyes Right work?
Eyes Right is available in two different formats - a simple computer programme, which runs on a standard laptop or computer, or an A4 hand-held book.
Once you've completed the simple training guide you're ready to start screening people for low vision. Both tools check for problems with near and far vision and how well someone can see objects that don't stand out from their background (their "contrast sensitivity").
Simply take participants through the short screening programme and give them their personalised vision report at the end.
If someone has poor vision you can recommend they visit an optician as soon as possible, as detecting a condition early, combined with the right treatment, can often save someone's sight. For those who don't have low vision, you just need to remind them to go for an eye test every two years (or every year for those aged 70+).
Who should I screen with Eyes Right and where should I screen them?
Eyes Right was designed to screen older people (those aged 65+) for poor vision, so ask yourself "where do older people congregate in my community?" Coffee mornings, day centres, bingo halls, church groups or ballroom dancing group.
Simply contact the head of the group and ask if you could bring Eyes Right to their next gathering.
Ordering Eyes Right
To order either the hand-held (flipchart) or computer-based Eyes Right screening tool please call RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
Please remember
Eyes Right is not a replacement for an eye test carried out by a qualified optician. It cannot determine the cause of reduced vision and it won't necessarily detect all eye problems and diseases.
It does, however, provide an indication of whether someone needs to see an optometrist, in the same way that a blood pressure check tells people they should go and see their GP to receive appropriate treatment and support.
By detecting poor vision and directing people to the appropriate support, you can help people maximise their chance of avoiding unnecessary sight loss and improve their quality of life.