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NEWS IN BRIEF

Pop-up tests vision of the homeless

Wiltshire-based independent Haine & Smith has partnered with regional charity Alabaré to provide free eye care and spectacles to the homeless.

Haine & Smith offered free eye examinations to the homeless and vulnerable people who Alabaré worked with after it was named the optical practice’s charity of the year.

A pilot event was held at Unity House in Chippenham on September 29 ahead of launching pop up centres to carry out sight tests and dispense frames.

The Haine & Smith and Alabare team at the pop-up clinic

Anna Lewin, clinical lead optometrist at Haine & Smith, said: ‘As this was our first location, we were a little unsure how many patients would come to see us, but it’s been really well received and we have tested six people.

‘My first patient was really apprehensive as she thought she was going blind, but we’ve managed to reassure her that she just needs some glasses to help with watching the TV. It seems such a small thing to a lot of us, but actually I think it’s going to make a big difference to her life.’

If frames were required, the patient chose from a selection that included recycled eyewear from the practice’s patients and new pairs donated by Wolf Eyewear.

It was first made available to eye care professionals in the Netherlands by CooperVision at a launch event on October 5.

New digital normal Consumer engagement in eye health and driving patients to practices were the aims of a new vision screening app, said its developer Zeiss Vision Care.

The Zeiss Online Vision Screening app can be accessed on smartphone, tablet or desktop and

Zeiss app will drive patients to practices assesses visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, colour vision, astigmatism and a central visual field check.

The company said greater adoption of digital technology in everyday life and app-based fitness and health activities meant high quality online screening should be the first part of the patient journey when it came to visual health.

The app has not been designed to replace a comprehensive eye exam or be used as a diagnostic tool. Instead, users are pointed towards their nearest ‘eye expert’ after results have been generated.

Consultation opens on ending free PPE A consultation has been launched by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) on whether to extend access to free personal protective equipment (PPE) after March 31, 2022.

It expected PPE usage to remain at Covid-19 levels after this date, which would put pressure on health and care costs in the next financial year, and was exploring two options.

The DHSC said options under consideration included extending free PPE for 12 months or ending it, which would require all healthcare providers to purchase their own PPE from March 31, 2022.

It added that if the scheme ended, it would explore funding options to help mitigate this cost.

Cataract surgery wait affecting quality of life Ophthalmic Consultants London (OCL) Vision highlighted patients were waiting over nine months on average from referral to having cataract surgery in 2021.

Patient waiting times for cataract surgery increased by 35% from 2019 to 2020 and increased by 36% from 2020 to 2021, the ophthalmology clinic noted.

Ali Mearza, consultant ophthalmic surgeon at OCL Vision, said increased waiting times could affect patients’ vision and lifestyle.

‘Cataracts are progressive, so the longer the wait, the worse they get. This translates to further worsening of vision, which in turn can affect people’s independence and quality of life,’ he said.

opticianonline.net

15 October 2021 OPTICIAN 5