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HUNDREDS NEEDLESSLY LOSING SIGHT FROM GLAUCOMA
THE Royal
National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) is warning "Don’t stop the
drops!” as a new report reveals that hundreds of people in the
North West with glaucoma are losing their sight by not taking their
medication. RNIB estimates that more than 20,000 people in the
North West have needlessly lost their sight to glaucoma - a
condition with no symptoms in the early stages that requires
patients to take eye drops for the rest of their lives to avoid
losing their sight.
Lindsay Armstrong, RNIB spokesperson for the North West, said:-
“Nobody should be losing their sight to glaucoma any more. Yet
sadly people continue to and often it’s because patients have no
symptoms and so simply stop taking the drops.”
The report gives 3 main reasons why people continue to lose their
sight from this treatable condition - problems with following
prescribed treatment regimes, stopping treatment altogether and
failure to detect glaucoma early.
Ann Keeling, 53, from North Staffordshire, was recently diagnosed
with glaucoma. She was prescribed sight-saving drops, but stopped
taking them because they stung her eyes. Ann only realised how
important the treatment was after a chance meeting with an eye
information advisor at the hospital. Ann said:- "I was
at the hospital for an appointment about my leg, but while I was
waiting, I noticed the eye advisor and went over for a chat. He told
me that not taking my drops as prescribed could mean losing my sight
and advised me to make an appointment at the eye clinic. I had no
idea that I could go blind if I didn’t take the drops. This came as
a complete shock to me."
The most common type of glaucoma, chronic glaucoma, has no symptoms
in the early stages, but once the damage is done it cannot be
repaired. Regular eye tests are vital to pick up the condition early
so that it can be treated before any sight is lost. People of
African and African-Caribbean origin are 4 times more likely to
develop glaucoma so regular eye tests are even more important for
them.
People with increased pressure in the eye, the main cause of
glaucoma, need to take eye drops for the rest of their lives. RNIB’s
report shows that shockingly a 3rd of people with diagnosed glaucoma
risk losing their sight because they stop taking their drops.
Lindsay Armstrong continued:- “The vital message to people
with glaucoma is simply, ‘Don’t stop the drops!’ and for
everyone else it is to have regular eye tests. It is also important
for everyone working in glaucoma care to make sure their patients
are fully aware of the importance of sticking to their treatments.”
RNIB is calling on the Government to fund a pilot project to
identify a successful strategy for addressing barriers to
compliance. RNIB is also calling on all stakeholders such as eye
care professionals, pharmaceutical companies and patient
organisations to form a UK wide alliance to improve glaucoma
detection and overcome the barriers to effective treatment. |
EVERTON FC STARS BACK £600,000 BARCLAYS SPACE FOR SPORT
EVERTON
manager David Moyes and player Nuno Valente welcomed the
announcement of a £600,000 grant from Barclays and the Football
Foundation for a new sports facility in Halewood, Merseyside.
Thanks to the unique funding package, part of the £30 million
Barclays Spaces for Sports initiative to create sustainable sports
facilities across the UK, and a detailed application from Everton In
the Community and Knowsley Borough Council, the site will benefit
from an extension to the community centre, provision of additional
changing facilities, improvements to the existing multi use games
area (MUGA) and upgrading of the drainage for the grass pitches.
In addition to the £600,000 grant, the site at Arncliffe Sports
Centre will also receive kit and equipment worth £5,000 and a
£45,000 development fund from Barclays to ensure its sustainability.
The facilities at the site, which is located approximately 10 miles
from Goodison Park, will provide much needed sports facilities to
local residents with activities such as football, basketball,
netball, cricket, hockey, rugby and rounders. Furthermore, the new
facilities will enable Everton In the Comunity to extend its
sporting provision in the area.
Everton FC Manager David Moyes said:- "I think it's great that
Barclays Spaces for Sports and the Football Foundation, in
conjunction with the Club, is investing in this new facility. Local
children will now have the opportunity to try new sports and
participate in activities close to home. Hopefully some of the next
generation of Everton players will use the facilities."
Carmen Rendell Barclays Community Sponsorship Manager, commented:-
"Barclays believes that sport has a key role to play in
revitalising our communities, and projects like this one in
Merseyside are central to this. We hope that the site will provide
local people with the opportunity to participate in and enjoy
sport."
Sir David Richards, Chairman of the Football Foundation and FA
Premier League, added his support:- "It is essential for the
future of sport and the health of our nation that all communities
have access to the kind of modern grassroots facilities that will be
on display here. This outstanding new development is set to offer a
host of new sporting opportunities for communities in and around the
area."
Barclays Spaces for Sports, a partnership between Barclays, the
Football Foundation and Groundwork, creates a number of flagship and
local sports sites for local communities over 3 years and provides
kit and equipment for sports groups across the UK.
Letters to Editor:-
"Information about the Woolton Motorised Bus Company"
"MY Great
grandfather, Thomas Cunningham was amongst the first drivers on the
Woolton Motorised Bus Company, prior to which it may have used horse
drawn coaches? I was hoping to locate some information.
If anyone can help please email me to
ec001i7393@blueyonder.co.uk Many thanks!"
Harry Comaish. |
