New figures show by 2032 the number of people living with sight loss in Swansea will be close to 10k

To mark National Eye Health Week (23-29 September), Specsavers Swansea is raising awareness about the dangers of ignoring telltale signs of eye conditions that can lead to sight loss.

Kit Peters
3 Min Read

This comes as statistics by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) show that there are 1,140 people in Swansea living with sight loss, and by 2032 the number of people living with sight loss in Swansea will rise to 9,600.

Among the conditions that can cause sight loss are age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and presbyopia.

Staff members at the Swansea opticians, which has recently undergone a £109,000 renovation, have recently undergone training to enhance their knowledge of the signs and symptoms of presbyopia and the solutions available, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.

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The RNIB figures also show that one in five people will experience sight loss in their lifetime. Every day 250 people start to lose their sight.

Chris Jones, retail director at Specsavers Swansea says:

‘Prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of common eye conditions are key to reducing the number of people suffering sight loss unnecessarily.

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‘A large percentage of sight loss could be avoided if people have their eyes checked regularly.

‘Yet despite sight being the sense that most people are concerned about losing, many people don’t actually have their eyes checked every two years.

‘Regular eye-health checks are important in preventing sight loss. They are essential for everyone, even if you think your eyes are fine, because damage can be done before you notice it.

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‘For example, an eye test can spot glaucoma years before people notice a change in their vision, and it can be treated if found soon enough.

‘In addition to eye health, a sight test can detect other health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, risk of stroke and heart disease.

‘So in addition to not smoking, eating a healthy diet and staying active, I would urge everyone to have an eye test every two years.’

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Chris and his team invite the local community to visit the store, based on 394-396 The Kingsway, this week to learn more about National Eye Health Week and to celebrate the store’s relaunch following its recent investment.

Specsavers Swansea is open seven days a week. To find out more information about Specsavers in Swansea, request an appointment or browse the online store, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/swansea.

[Lead image: Specsavers Swansea]

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