New website aims to be ‘invaluable one-stop hub’ for visually impaired in Scotland
Eyes.Scot, launched by the Scottish Government, is being supported by the RNIB
2 min read
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13 August 2021
A new website that brings together information on all aspects of visual impairment has been welcomed by Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Scotland.
Eyes.Scot, developed by the Scottish Government, launched on Monday 9 August and describes itself as ‘Scotland’s national website for eye care services and eye health information.’
The site features resources including a list of partner organisations, which members of the public can contact for reassurance and practical advice.
It also includes a section for professionals, which includes local NHS board information, COVID-19 guidance, legislation, and Scottish Government circulars, among other resources.
According to director of RNIB Scotland, James Adams, there are currently around 170,000 blind or partially sighted people living in the country – a number that “will inevitably increase as we have an ageing population and a rising rate of sight-threatening conditions such as diabetes.”
Adams said: “It's vital that we all understand how to maintain good eye health, and that Government and health services take the steps necessary to contain any increase as far as possible.
"The Eyes.Scot website will provide an invaluable one-stop hub from which people can access information on eye conditions, eye health, and the wide range of support services provided by bodies like RNIB Scotland throughout the country.”
He added that RNIB Scotland has worked with the Scottish Government on the site, to ensure that it is accessible to people with limited vision and for screen-reading software.
Scotland’s public health minister, Maree Todd, welcomed the launch: “Supporting both the public and eye care professionals, Eyes.Scot is an invaluable resource which provides easy access to information about how best to look after our eyes and sight,” she said, adding that “all of this information is now available in one place, making it easier to find and access the right information.”
RNIB Scotland is encouraging the public to remember the importance of regular eye examinations as lockdown restrictions ease.
"Eye examinations can pick up the first symptoms of sight conditions when there's still time to arrest or even reverse damage," Adams said.
"We must encourage everyone to take care of their eyes as much as their heart or lungs, to protect one of the most precious things we have - our sight."
Eyes.Scot, developed by the Scottish Government, launched on Monday 9 August and describes itself as ‘Scotland’s national website for eye care services and eye health information.’
The site features resources including a list of partner organisations, which members of the public can contact for reassurance and practical advice.
It also includes a section for professionals, which includes local NHS board information, COVID-19 guidance, legislation, and Scottish Government circulars, among other resources.
According to director of RNIB Scotland, James Adams, there are currently around 170,000 blind or partially sighted people living in the country – a number that “will inevitably increase as we have an ageing population and a rising rate of sight-threatening conditions such as diabetes.”
Adams said: “It's vital that we all understand how to maintain good eye health, and that Government and health services take the steps necessary to contain any increase as far as possible.
"The Eyes.Scot website will provide an invaluable one-stop hub from which people can access information on eye conditions, eye health, and the wide range of support services provided by bodies like RNIB Scotland throughout the country.”
He added that RNIB Scotland has worked with the Scottish Government on the site, to ensure that it is accessible to people with limited vision and for screen-reading software.
Scotland’s public health minister, Maree Todd, welcomed the launch: “Supporting both the public and eye care professionals, Eyes.Scot is an invaluable resource which provides easy access to information about how best to look after our eyes and sight,” she said, adding that “all of this information is now available in one place, making it easier to find and access the right information.”
RNIB Scotland is encouraging the public to remember the importance of regular eye examinations as lockdown restrictions ease.
"Eye examinations can pick up the first symptoms of sight conditions when there's still time to arrest or even reverse damage," Adams said.
"We must encourage everyone to take care of their eyes as much as their heart or lungs, to protect one of the most precious things we have - our sight."
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