10 April 2015
The Macular Society has launched a new awareness week which aims to help raise the profile of macular conditions.
Established in partnership with the multiple Vision Express, the week will be held on 6–12 July this year. In addition to raising the awareness of macular disease, which affects more than 600,000 people in the UK, the charity hopes that the initiative will highlight the importance of research funding in helping to find a cure for macular conditions.
CEO of Vision Express, Jonathan Lawson, has confirmed that it will encouraging its 4,000-strong workforce in the UK and Ireland to support a company-wide fundraising drive during the inaugural week.
Mr Lawson told OT: “We’re proud to be launching such a vital initiative alongside the Macular Society, in a bid to help safeguard the sight of people in the UK.”
He added: “By joining forces with the Macular Society, we hope to drive home the importance of a regular eye test. Thanks to our partnership, 1,000 Vision Express employees are now professional members of the Macular Society and can offer customers the benefits of specialist training for macular conditions, providing an even more thorough and comprehensive vision care service.”
Chief executive of the Macular Society, Cathy Yelf, commented: “By 2020 almost 700,000 Britons will have late stage age-related macular degeneration. It is now the most common cause of sight loss in the country. We are fighting for more funding for macular research because our ageing society means many more people are developing the condition. We urgently need to find a solution.”
The charity is calling on practitioners to take part in the awareness week by hosting fundraising and awareness events in practice.
For more information and to get involved in the initiative, practitioners should contact the Macular Society on 01264 321 964.
Established in partnership with the multiple Vision Express, the week will be held on 6–12 July this year. In addition to raising the awareness of macular disease, which affects more than 600,000 people in the UK, the charity hopes that the initiative will highlight the importance of research funding in helping to find a cure for macular conditions.
CEO of Vision Express, Jonathan Lawson, has confirmed that it will encouraging its 4,000-strong workforce in the UK and Ireland to support a company-wide fundraising drive during the inaugural week.
Mr Lawson told OT: “We’re proud to be launching such a vital initiative alongside the Macular Society, in a bid to help safeguard the sight of people in the UK.”
He added: “By joining forces with the Macular Society, we hope to drive home the importance of a regular eye test. Thanks to our partnership, 1,000 Vision Express employees are now professional members of the Macular Society and can offer customers the benefits of specialist training for macular conditions, providing an even more thorough and comprehensive vision care service.”
Chief executive of the Macular Society, Cathy Yelf, commented: “By 2020 almost 700,000 Britons will have late stage age-related macular degeneration. It is now the most common cause of sight loss in the country. We are fighting for more funding for macular research because our ageing society means many more people are developing the condition. We urgently need to find a solution.”
The charity is calling on practitioners to take part in the awareness week by hosting fundraising and awareness events in practice.
For more information and to get involved in the initiative, practitioners should contact the Macular Society on 01264 321 964.
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