OPTEGRA calls on local communities:

OPTEGRA calls on local communities:

Don’t Lose Sight of your Eye Health on World Optometry Day

Optegra Eye Health Care is reaching out to local communities to encourage a visit to their local optician to mark World Optometry Day on Monday 23 March.

Eye health specialists at Optegra are appreciating the essential role optometrists play in protecting sight, detecting disease early and helping patients access the right care quickly.

Optegra is also reminding everyone of the NHS advice to have biannual eye tests and, if this time has passed, to book an eye test at their local optician.  And highlighting this can potentially detect early signs of disease – both within the eyes and in our general health.

Professor Clare O’Donnell, Head of Eye Sciences and Optometry at Optegra, says: “At Optegra, strong partnerships with community optometrists are central to delivering specialist eye care locally.

“Optometrists are often the first to identify emerging eye conditions, some of which develop without obvious symptoms. Early detection can make a life-changing difference, helping to prevent avoidable sight-loss and enabling faster treatment.

“Our close working relationship with optometrists helps ensure patients move smoothly from community care into specialist treatment, reducing delays and improving outcomes.”

World Optometry Day celebrates the profession’s growing contribution to global healthcare and shines a spotlight on the importance of accessible eye care as a fundamental part of overall health.

Professor O’Donnell continues: “For example, Optegra’s work and partnerships with local optometry practices to provide post-cataract assessment has allowed us to free up time for over 20,000 new patient hospital appointments at Optegra a year, which all helps reduce waiting lists for treatment and frees up time for us to review and treat new patients who need sight-saving care.

“Research and innovation are rapidly transforming optometry with advances in AI, imaging technology and myopia management redefining what is possible in patient care.

“This shift has positioned optometrists as playing a more proactive role in addressing both eye health and overall wellbeing, and we are proud to celebrate this on World Optometry Day.”

With more people than ever needing eye care due to an ageing population and increased screen use, optometry is evolving rapidly to meet the needs of patients. Across the UK, optometrists are upskilling and playing an expanding role in delivering enhanced clinical services in the community, not only supporting earlier diagnoses but managing eye conditions such as glaucoma and delivering post-operative care in the community, thus reducing pressure on hospital eye services.

What are the benefits of a regular eye test? 

Many eye conditions, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, develop without noticeable symptoms in their early stages. Yet the earlier they are detected, the more successful the treatment is likely to be.  So regular eye exams allow for early diagnosis and treatment, which can prevent vision loss.

The eyes often reveal signs of other health issues including diabetes, high blood pressure and even certain cancers, that may otherwise go unnoticed.

Regular eye tests also ensure that prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses remain accurate, preventing eye strain, headaches and reduced productivity caused by outdated prescriptions. In children, regular eye tests are crucial for detecting vision problems that could impact learning and development and optometrists are at the forefront of tackling the growing global challenge of childhood myopia.

Optegra Eye Health Care is a specialist provider of ophthalmic services. Established in 2007, with its first hospital opening in 2008, it has completed over one million eye procedures from its 74 eye hospitals across the UK, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Holland.

As well as providing private vision correction treatments – from lens replacement and laser eye surgery to implantable contact lenses – Optegra treats cataract surgery both privately and through its partnership with the NHS. Optegra also treats medical conditions AMD and glaucoma; and has launched the first ever treatment for people with the Dry form of AMD.

Optegra is owned by EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of advanced vision care products, eyewear and med-tech solutions. Backed by robust R&D investments, distinctive capabilities and a top-quality asset portfolio, the company drives innovation across eye health.

Optegra brings together leading-edge research, medical expertise and state-of-the-art surgical equipment. It performs more than 170,000 treatments annually, both private and publicly funded. Its top ophthalmic surgeons are renowned for their areas of expertise, offering excellent clinical outcomes and great patient service.