Monday 15 October 2012

South Basildon & East Thurrock MP urges local residents to look after their sight


Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, recently visited the Royal National Institute ofBlind People’s futuristic sight loss simulator. He experienced firsthand the difficulties facing people with common sight conditions and found out how he can work with the RNIB to reduce the risk of sight loss for people in South Basildon & East Thurrock.

Using a specially designed simulator pod to illustrate common sight threatening eye conditions, the RNIB highlighted the importance of regular eye tests and demonstrated the need for local authorities to make eye health a priority so that conditions can be detected and treated at an early stage.  

There are currently almost two million people with sight loss in the UK and it is predicted that by 2050 this number will have doubled to nearly four million. This would affect 6,000 people in South Basildon & East Thurrock alone. Fortunately, up to 50 per cent of sight loss could be prevented through early detection and treatment so it is therefore vital that eye health is made a priority.

Stephen Metcalfe MP supported this message saying: "It is vital that people do not take their sight for granted. Experiencing a number of eye conditions in the simulator really demonstrated to me the importance of having eye checks. The RNIB recommend at least one test every two years and I would encourage all of my constituents to do this. A simple check really can make the world of difference.”