Press Centre

Tell your story to RNIB

Summary: Request for stories from people affected by sight loss

RNIB will be launching Eye Health Week 2008 from 6 to 12 October and we need your help. We're looking for people who might be willing to tell their story to the media to help improve eye health awareness in the UK and increase the early detection of potentially sight-threatening eye conditions.

Shockingly, more than half of all sight loss in the UK could be prevented by simple measures such as regular eye tests, having the right glasses or lenses prescribed or making simple lifestyle changes.

  • Do you have a sight problem that may have been prevented if your eye condition (e.g. glaucoma) had been detected sooner?
  • Did you develop a sight problem that was successfully detected, stabilised or treated, for example, through a routine eye test or by making changes to your lifestyle?
  • Do you have an eye condition, such as age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), cataracts, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma? Has this made you more aware of the need for regular eye tests, or the importance of making changes to your lifestyle, such as stopping smoking, avoiding over exposure to sunlight or by following a healthy diet?
  • Do you have a close relative who has developed a sight problem? What impact has this had on your life and has it motivated you to take greater control of your eye health?

If so, RNIB would like to hear from you. We will be working closely with national and regional media to empower people to take simple steps to help prevent sight loss and improve eye health awareness in the UK. For an initial chat with an RNIB media officer to find out how you can help tackle avoidable sight loss, please contact Andrew Cooper or Christina Nicolaidou from the RNIB Press Centre on 020 7391 2223 or email pressoffice@rnib.org.uk.

Full support by a member of RNIB media team will be given to anyone speaking to the media.

Content author: pressoffice@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 20/11/2008 11:13

Print

More info

In your area

Quiz

Smokers are twice as likely to develop eye diseases such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, which can lead to blindness.




Your stories

June's story - June Croft was told she had glaucoma after having an eye test. She was given drops to prevent further deterioration and later had an operation. 'Having an eye test is the most important thing you can do. It stopped me from going blind. People don't realise how quickly something can go wrong with their eyes. It doesn't hurt, everyone should do it.' June's full story.