Member Article

National Eye Health Week! Don’t let life pass by in a blur

It is estimated that more than two million people in the UK have sight loss that is severe enough to have a significant impact on their daily lives.

Cataracts are responsible for almost 1 in 5 (19%) cases of sight loss in the UK. Of all the conditions that will make you go blind, we know the most about cataract.

For National Eye Health Week (24th to 30th September) Nuffield Health in Newcastle is encouraging people to get their eyes checked.

Mr Ayad Shafiq, consultant ophthalmologist at Nuffield Health Newcastle Hospital, explains: “Ageing is by far the most common cause of cataracts in adults. Loss of vision can lead to loss of independence and isolation so if people suspect they have a cataract, acting quickly is key to reducing the impact it has on their quality of life.

“If a cataract prevents you from reading or driving, or doing your normal day to day activities, it’s advisable to have surgery so you can get back to living the life you want to lead. Eye surgery can be a daunting procedure, which is why we are hosting a special open evening in Newcastle next month for anyone considering cataract treatment and who would like to explore their options.

“People may already know they need cataract surgery, or may just be experiencing problems with vision that they want to have assessed. Maintaining good eye health is important and cataracts affect many of us as we get older but acting early can reduce the impact they’ll have on your life.”

Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed procedure carried out by the NHS, with 400,000 operations per year, however it also has one of the longest waiting times.

Earlier this year, Nuffield Health surveyed Brits aged over 60, and found that almost 10 per cent of people waiting for an operation or diagnostic test on the NHS were waiting for ophthalmic surgery.

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