It’s time we all took more care of our eyes

During the election, I took part in a quiz from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)  designed to raise awareness amongst election candidates of the leading causes of sight loss.  Questions also ask who can get free eye tests and how many of us are already living with sight problems.

I am becoming increasingly aware of the issues affecting people with visual impairment, as I learn more about the issue from a member of my family, who is suffering from macular degeneration.

There are around 1.8 million people in the UK already living with sight loss, with around 2700 in Mitcham and Morden.  RNIB’s quiz revealed that pensioners are most at risk of losing their sight, in fact two-thirds of partially sighted people are aged 75 or over. Yet, six million older people in the UK (47 per cent) are needlessly risking their sight by not having their eyes tested regularly, despite being eligible for free eye tests.

The quiz confirmed that nearly 50 per cent of all sight loss is avoidable. This includes people with refractive error – that is people in need of a correct prescription for glasses or contact lenses – and people who have lost sight through conditions that could have been treated if detected early enough, such as glaucoma.

I am surprised at how many people  are putting their sight at risk through not having regular eye tests.  There needs to be a greater public understanding that a sight test isn’t just about whether you need glasses, it can also detect signs of eye disease. It’s time we all took eye health a great deal more seriously.

RNIB recommends that everyone should get their eyes tested every two years, or more frequently if recommended by an optometrist.

The RNIB  is the UK’s leading charity offering information, support and advice to around two million people with sight loss.  You can find out more from their website www.rnib.org.uk  or phone 0303 123 9999.

Voluntary Sector in Merton

Today I spent the afternoon at the Merton Voluntary Services Council  AGM, which was followed by a question time where I joined Conservative, Labour, Independent and Green representatives to take questions about the issues affecting the voluntary sector in Merton.

By coincidence I got the London voluntary and community sector manifesto sent to me this week.   Both the manifesto and the questions were realistic about the challenges we face in funding public services and the pressures that the voluntary and community sector will be under either in bidding for contracts or grant funding.

I am told that London’s Voluntary and Community sector comprises 60,000+ voluntary and community organisations, including registered charities, community groups and social enterprises, accounts for 7% of London’s workforce, has around 2.5 million active volunteers each year and an economic turnover contributing around £18bn annually to London’s economy.

MVSC clearly works hard to provide support for all the  groups operating in Merton.  Organisations are concerned about how they are going to cope as finances get tight.  I think options such as merging, working on a consortium to bid for contracts, or working in a sub-contract arrangement delivering specialist services is a way forward.

I’d like to thank MVSC for the invitation today and also for the wonderful chocolate cake afterwards.