SOS call to fight sight loss

Date published: 19 September 2008

OPTICIANS in Oldham are helping Third World communities save their sight with an SOS campaign.

Eye experts are encouraging the public to donate their unwanted sunglasses as part of Save Our Sight — a nationwide appeal.

The glasses will be tested for adequate UV protection before being distributed by the Asian Foundation for Help to Eye Camps.

According to the World Health Organisation, UV damage is the biggest modifiable risk factor of cataract development and can lead to other eye conditions such as Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

Collection

The World Health Organisation estimates that 20million people have lost their sight as a result of cataracts, while AMD is one of the UK’s biggest causes of blindness. Both conditions can be avoided.

Collection bins for sunglasses will be at five participating opticians in Oldham until the end of October. They include Dolland and Aitchison and Boots in the Town Square shopping centre, Rayner’s in Market Square, Eyecare Optical in Lees Road and Bar-Ilan Ronnie in Huddersfield Road.