Council support service raising awareness of eye health
People who live and work in Dudley are being reminded of the importance of good eye health, and the need for everyone to get regular eye tests, ahead of National Eye Health Week.
Dudley Council’s Vision Support Service, which works to help people with significant sight loss across the borough, is offering drop-in sessions and talks from Monday 23 to Friday 27 September.
Staff from the service will be out and about at borough libraries, talking to people throughout the week, and there will be the opportunity to drop into the service at Qureens Cross from Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm.
In addition, there will be talks at a number of community venues and people can find out more online or by calling the service on 0300 555 0055.
The team particularly works with people who cannot be helped by glasses, and those who have cataracts or a degenerative sight loss condition such as macular degeneration. Support from the service can include help with getting out for people who are struggling due to sight loss, assistance with daily tasks at home such as help reading letters or support to get into work.
Councillor Andrea Goddard, cabinet member for adult social care, said:
“Vision is so important, and sight is the sense that many people fear losing the most, and yet many people don’t always know how to look after and protect eyesight or where to get support if they are losing thier sight.
“The vision support service offers lots of information, advice, support, as well as signposting to helpful organisations to anyone with sight loss, to make life easier, enabling them to continue living independently and getting the best out of life.
“The service is here and keen to help anyone with sight loss to stay independent and happy and people can have a free assessment at home, where our specialists will explore equipment and home adaptations and help with getting out and about.”
People can find out more about National Eye Health Week online at www.visionmatters.org.uk