Thousands at risk of losing their sight

5:00pm Saturday 20th October 2012 in News

CASTLE Point residents are being urged to look after their sight.

New figures, released through the House of Commons, reveal around 6,000 people in the borough could be at greater risk of losing their sight, as the number of people suffering sight loss in the UK looks set to double by 2050.

However, up to 50 per cent of sight loss problems could be avoided if detected and treated earlier.

Now Rebecca Harris, MP for Castle Point, is encouraging constituents to get their eyes tested more regularly after experiencing firsthand the effects of common sight conditions.

The Conservative parliamentarian visited the Royal National Institute of Blind People’s futuristic sight loss simulator to learn more about sight-threatening eye conditions and how local authorities can make eye health a priority for their residents.

Mrs Harris said: "It is vital that people do not take their sight for granted, because sight loss can be avoided if problems are detected early.

“Using the simulator to get an idea of the problems people with these common sight conditions face really emphasised the importance of people having eye checks at least every two years, so that any problems can be identified at a stage at which they can be treated."

Top tips for maintaining healthy eyes include regularly visiting an optometrist, not smoking, eating a healthy diet and wearing sunglasses with a UV filter.

For more information visit www.rnib.org.uk

Comments (19)

6:28pm Sat 20 Oct 12

billericay boy says...

I'm blinded by this story, perhaps I should have gone two specksavers
I'm blinded by this story, perhaps I should have gone two specksavers billericay boy

6:48pm Sat 20 Oct 12

Tj Lady says...

billericay boy wrote:
I'm blinded by this story, perhaps I should have gone two specksavers
Ha Ha Ha..That me laugh..
[quote][p][bold]billericay boy[/bold] wrote: I'm blinded by this story, perhaps I should have gone two specksavers[/p][/quote]Ha Ha Ha..That me laugh.. Tj Lady

6:50pm Sat 20 Oct 12

Tj Lady says...

Where's Castlepoint, I can't see it.
Where's Castlepoint, I can't see it. Tj Lady

6:55pm Sat 20 Oct 12

Olivia2847 says...

Tj Lady wrote:
Where's Castlepoint, I can't see it.
Pardon? I have a banana in my ear - I'm a trifle deaf .......
[quote][p][bold]Tj Lady[/bold] wrote: Where's Castlepoint, I can't see it.[/p][/quote]Pardon? I have a banana in my ear - I'm a trifle deaf ....... Olivia2847

6:57pm Sat 20 Oct 12

jolllyboy says...

Well make glasses cheaper - its a rip off at some places.
Well make glasses cheaper - its a rip off at some places. jolllyboy

7:00pm Sat 20 Oct 12

John T Pharro says...

Absolutely right that our MP encourages people to look after their eye sight. The advice at the end of the article other than the obvious visit an optician and wear sun glasses seems to be the multi cure all, don't smoke and watch your diet.
It really seems that you cannot get the obvious through to people can you?
Us oldies even get a free eye check every two years and get a reminder from an optician when it is due.
What more do people want?
Absolutely right that our MP encourages people to look after their eye sight. The advice at the end of the article other than the obvious visit an optician and wear sun glasses seems to be the multi cure all, don't smoke and watch your diet. It really seems that you cannot get the obvious through to people can you? Us oldies even get a free eye check every two years and get a reminder from an optician when it is due. What more do people want? John T Pharro

7:11pm Sat 20 Oct 12

Tj Lady says...

Olivia2847 wrote:
Tj Lady wrote: Where's Castlepoint, I can't see it.
Pardon? I have a banana in my ear - I'm a trifle deaf .......
What?
[quote][p][bold]Olivia2847[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Tj Lady[/bold] wrote: Where's Castlepoint, I can't see it.[/p][/quote]Pardon? I have a banana in my ear - I'm a trifle deaf .......[/p][/quote]What? Tj Lady

7:25pm Sat 20 Oct 12

Tj Lady says...

John T Pharro wrote:
Absolutely right that our MP encourages people to look after their eye sight. The advice at the end of the article other than the obvious visit an optician and wear sun glasses seems to be the multi cure all, don't smoke and watch your diet. It really seems that you cannot get the obvious through to people can you? Us oldies even get a free eye check every two years and get a reminder from an optician when it is due. What more do people want?
I agree.MP encourages us to look after our eyesight ,But when you only work part time,You have to pay for it and it works out expensive if you need glasses,especially when there's not much work about.
[quote][p][bold]John T Pharro[/bold] wrote: Absolutely right that our MP encourages people to look after their eye sight. The advice at the end of the article other than the obvious visit an optician and wear sun glasses seems to be the multi cure all, don't smoke and watch your diet. It really seems that you cannot get the obvious through to people can you? Us oldies even get a free eye check every two years and get a reminder from an optician when it is due. What more do people want?[/p][/quote]I agree.MP encourages us to look after our eyesight ,But when you only work part time,You have to pay for it and it works out expensive if you need glasses,especially when there's not much work about. Tj Lady

7:42pm Sat 20 Oct 12

Tj Lady says...

jolllyboy wrote:
Well make glasses cheaper - its a rip off at some places.
A bit of glass and some steel, you could buy a glass window frame for the price they ask.
[quote][p][bold]jolllyboy[/bold] wrote: Well make glasses cheaper - its a rip off at some places.[/p][/quote]A bit of glass and some steel, you could buy a glass window frame for the price they ask. Tj Lady

9:09pm Sat 20 Oct 12

Aint it just the truth says...

Admirable Ms Harris, you are a credit to your party ... and therein lies a problem. Historically CP's electorate don't look favourably upon the party faithful, we tend to prefer MPs who are not afraid to stand up to the party on behalf of their electorate. Never mind Dear, it's been a nice experience for you hasn't it, what with the generous salary and getting your picture in the paper, one for the grandchildren.
Admirable Ms Harris, you are a credit to your party ... and therein lies a problem. Historically CP's electorate don't look favourably upon the party faithful, we tend to prefer MPs who are not afraid to stand up to the party on behalf of their electorate. Never mind Dear, it's been a nice experience for you hasn't it, what with the generous salary and getting your picture in the paper, one for the grandchildren. Aint it just the truth

9:28pm Sat 20 Oct 12

Brunning999 says...

Aint it just the truth wrote:
Admirable Ms Harris, you are a credit to your party ... and therein lies a problem. Historically CP's electorate don't look favourably upon the party faithful, we tend to prefer MPs who are not afraid to stand up to the party on behalf of their electorate. Never mind Dear, it's been a nice experience for you hasn't it, what with the generous salary and getting your picture in the paper, one for the grandchildren.
As a former conservative and labour voter I am sick death of Politicians who use any excuse to get votes.

If she really cared her party would stop taking money from their real voters the ones not on benefits who are being squeezed to pay for ever increasing benefit scroungers and a NHS open to all that can afford to arrive at any port or airport to receive free treatment.
[quote][p][bold]Aint it just the truth[/bold] wrote: Admirable Ms Harris, you are a credit to your party ... and therein lies a problem. Historically CP's electorate don't look favourably upon the party faithful, we tend to prefer MPs who are not afraid to stand up to the party on behalf of their electorate. Never mind Dear, it's been a nice experience for you hasn't it, what with the generous salary and getting your picture in the paper, one for the grandchildren.[/p][/quote]As a former conservative and labour voter I am sick death of Politicians who use any excuse to get votes. If she really cared her party would stop taking money from their real voters the ones not on benefits who are being squeezed to pay for ever increasing benefit scroungers and a NHS open to all that can afford to arrive at any port or airport to receive free treatment. Brunning999

10:01pm Sat 20 Oct 12

v.randy says...

So right glasses are a rip off, that's why Southend is full of opticians.
£150 + for a frame...come on.
But f you visit Poundland you can get reading glasses with a decent frame for a £1 and their making a profit from it..even a pair in the library only costs £5.
Do what i do and source a frame as above then get optician to re-lense.
So right glasses are a rip off, that's why Southend is full of opticians. £150 + for a frame...come on. But f you visit Poundland you can get reading glasses with a decent frame for a £1 and their making a profit from it..even a pair in the library only costs £5. Do what i do and source a frame as above then get optician to re-lense. v.randy

11:10pm Sat 20 Oct 12

APR says...

As far as reading glasses are concerned, the lenses are the same for those cheapo glasses you can buy in Sainsburys or Tesco, and those for glasses you'd get at an optician.
The lenses themselves cost next to nothing and mostly come from the Far East.

Years ago, I bought two pairs and swapped the lenses over, as I have a different prescription for each eye.

Regular eye tests are important though, as they can show up a variety of problems.

Why Ms Harris is getting in on the act, is anyone's business.
As far as reading glasses are concerned, the lenses are the same for those cheapo glasses you can buy in Sainsburys or Tesco, and those for glasses you'd get at an optician. The lenses themselves cost next to nothing and mostly come from the Far East. Years ago, I bought two pairs and swapped the lenses over, as I have a different prescription for each eye. Regular eye tests are important though, as they can show up a variety of problems. Why Ms Harris is getting in on the act, is anyone's business. APR

11:32pm Sat 20 Oct 12

whataday says...

Its interesting how much the cost of prescription lens for glasses varies I know of people who have been quoted £300 to £500 for varifocal lenses only not including the frames and have been quoted £100 to £200 for same prescription nearer to London Maybe the answer is to save up for the train fare and get them from London area
Its interesting how much the cost of prescription lens for glasses varies I know of people who have been quoted £300 to £500 for varifocal lenses only not including the frames and have been quoted £100 to £200 for same prescription nearer to London Maybe the answer is to save up for the train fare and get them from London area whataday

8:36am Sun 21 Oct 12

Olivia2847 says...

I think this article has become unfocused ........
I think this article has become unfocused ........ Olivia2847

12:01pm Sun 21 Oct 12

APR says...

whataday wrote:
Its interesting how much the cost of prescription lens for glasses varies I know of people who have been quoted £300 to £500 for varifocal lenses only not including the frames and have been quoted £100 to £200 for same prescription nearer to London Maybe the answer is to save up for the train fare and get them from London area
It's knowing where to go. I was quoted £70 from a place very close to Kent Elms Corner.
[quote][p][bold]whataday[/bold] wrote: Its interesting how much the cost of prescription lens for glasses varies I know of people who have been quoted £300 to £500 for varifocal lenses only not including the frames and have been quoted £100 to £200 for same prescription nearer to London Maybe the answer is to save up for the train fare and get them from London area[/p][/quote]It's knowing where to go. I was quoted £70 from a place very close to Kent Elms Corner. APR

2:07pm Sun 21 Oct 12

Rayleigh mum says...

Tj Lady wrote:
jolllyboy wrote: Well make glasses cheaper - its a rip off at some places.
A bit of glass and some steel, you could buy a glass window frame for the price they ask.
an eye test is very important, but when you are given your prescription you can shop around for your glasses/contact lenses. why not look on the internet where you can get glasses with prescription lenses (not just reading lenses) from £6. Also if you are going to buy on the high street do shop around as I got mine with transition lenses earlier this year and the difference in prices from the leading opticians was massive! there are so many deals on too that it can be confusing to know who is cheaper in the long run. But DO get your eyes tested, it is the one sense that is very hard to imagine being without and cannot be replaced.
[quote][p][bold]Tj Lady[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]jolllyboy[/bold] wrote: Well make glasses cheaper - its a rip off at some places.[/p][/quote]A bit of glass and some steel, you could buy a glass window frame for the price they ask.[/p][/quote]an eye test is very important, but when you are given your prescription you can shop around for your glasses/contact lenses. why not look on the internet where you can get glasses with prescription lenses (not just reading lenses) from £6. Also if you are going to buy on the high street do shop around as I got mine with transition lenses earlier this year and the difference in prices from the leading opticians was massive! there are so many deals on too that it can be confusing to know who is cheaper in the long run. But DO get your eyes tested, it is the one sense that is very hard to imagine being without and cannot be replaced. Rayleigh mum

7:43am Mon 22 Oct 12

Ian P says...

Brunning999 wrote:
Aint it just the truth wrote: Admirable Ms Harris, you are a credit to your party ... and therein lies a problem. Historically CP's electorate don't look favourably upon the party faithful, we tend to prefer MPs who are not afraid to stand up to the party on behalf of their electorate. Never mind Dear, it's been a nice experience for you hasn't it, what with the generous salary and getting your picture in the paper, one for the grandchildren.
As a former conservative and labour voter I am sick death of Politicians who use any excuse to get votes. If she really cared her party would stop taking money from their real voters the ones not on benefits who are being squeezed to pay for ever increasing benefit scroungers and a NHS open to all that can afford to arrive at any port or airport to receive free treatment.
Just who was it that opened the flood gates to immigration to boost votes for their party? The European Courts are telling our Government they have to accept Health Tourists because it is their Human Rights. Who was it that signed up the UK to the Human Rights Act? Who was it that gave back the hard fought for subsidies to Europe in the hope of buying the post of the First President of Europe? I will give you a clue, it was not a Tory.
[quote][p][bold]Brunning999[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Aint it just the truth[/bold] wrote: Admirable Ms Harris, you are a credit to your party ... and therein lies a problem. Historically CP's electorate don't look favourably upon the party faithful, we tend to prefer MPs who are not afraid to stand up to the party on behalf of their electorate. Never mind Dear, it's been a nice experience for you hasn't it, what with the generous salary and getting your picture in the paper, one for the grandchildren.[/p][/quote]As a former conservative and labour voter I am sick death of Politicians who use any excuse to get votes. If she really cared her party would stop taking money from their real voters the ones not on benefits who are being squeezed to pay for ever increasing benefit scroungers and a NHS open to all that can afford to arrive at any port or airport to receive free treatment.[/p][/quote]Just who was it that opened the flood gates to immigration to boost votes for their party? The European Courts are telling our Government they have to accept Health Tourists because it is their Human Rights. Who was it that signed up the UK to the Human Rights Act? Who was it that gave back the hard fought for subsidies to Europe in the hope of buying the post of the First President of Europe? I will give you a clue, it was not a Tory. Ian P

3:05pm Mon 22 Oct 12

Whatthe* says...

APR wrote:
As far as reading glasses are concerned, the lenses are the same for those cheapo glasses you can buy in Sainsburys or Tesco, and those for glasses you'd get at an optician.
The lenses themselves cost next to nothing and mostly come from the Far East.

Years ago, I bought two pairs and swapped the lenses over, as I have a different prescription for each eye.

Regular eye tests are important though, as they can show up a variety of problems.

Why Ms Harris is getting in on the act, is anyone's business.
Maybe this is the root of the problem , people self prescribing glasses from poundland and bypassing the Optician and the critical checks they do.
[quote][p][bold]APR[/bold] wrote: As far as reading glasses are concerned, the lenses are the same for those cheapo glasses you can buy in Sainsburys or Tesco, and those for glasses you'd get at an optician. The lenses themselves cost next to nothing and mostly come from the Far East. Years ago, I bought two pairs and swapped the lenses over, as I have a different prescription for each eye. Regular eye tests are important though, as they can show up a variety of problems. Why Ms Harris is getting in on the act, is anyone's business.[/p][/quote]Maybe this is the root of the problem , people self prescribing glasses from poundland and bypassing the Optician and the critical checks they do. Whatthe*

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