Save the date for National Eye Health Week

The organisers of National Eye Health Week (NEHW) are urging everyone in optics to get behind this year’s awareness campaign (18-24 September 2023) to help spread the word on eye health.

NEHW is the biggest and most effective independent public eye health campaign in the UK – sharing important eyecare advice with tens of millions of people every year. However, there is still work to be done to elevate the campaign to be one of the UK’s premier health events, said the charity behind the event – Eye Health UK.

David Cartwright, chair of Eye Health UK, commented: “Awareness and public health messaging are key elements of the proposed national eye health strategy for England and are vital for improving the eye health of people across the UK. NEHW provides the ideal platform for the sector to come together to highlight the importance of routine eye tests and adopting healthy lifestyle habits to prevent avoidable sight loss and poor eye health. The more of us who support the campaign, the more efficacious it will be.”

Five ways to get behind NEHW

Eye Health UK has suggested five ways individuals and organisations can support NEHW 2023:
1. Save the date: Put 18 24 September in your diary and get ready to spread the word on eye health.
2. Register for resources: Email your name, business name and contact details to info@visionmatters.org.uk to register for a free promotional toolkit.
3. Follow and share on social media: Join the conversation on your social channels by following Instagram @NationalEyeHealthWeek Twitter @myvisionmatters and Facebook @NationalEyeHealthWeek
4. Become an official partner: Larger organisations interested in an official partnership programme should contact rachel@visionmatters.org.uk
5. Donate: The scale, scope and reach of the Week relies on financial backing from the sector and other third parties as no public funds are currently available to support the initiative (although securing public funding is one of the charity’s medium-term ambitions). To make a contribution, click the voluntary levy button on your PCSE Online account and ‘Opt in’ to the Eyecare Trust voluntary levy scheme. Alternatively, contact rachel@visionmatters.org.uk for details about making a one-off donation.

Plans and the themes for NEHW 2023 will be unveiled at an official launch in the spring.