The awards have been devised by the UK Vision Strategy and in collaboration with the RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind) and NB Online (the RNIB's online news and information site for eye health and sight loss professionals). By raising awareness of sight loss conditions and their optimum treatments, it is hoped the aims of the UK Vision Strategy will be promoted and met. We were invited to attend as guests of the RNIB.
After a drinks and canapes reception, the awards began and were hysterically hosted by Chris McCausland, a stand-up comedian who lost his sight from retinitis pigmentosa. He was an absolute hoot and regaled us with his tales and challenges of being a blind husband and father in the modern world. If you get a chance to see him perform live, then take it.
Anyway, back to the awards and their winners, there were five categories as follows;
Campaign of the Year
No Water by Irenie Ekkeshis - see below
Innovation
Wayfindr by Royal London Society for the Blind (RLSB) - an app to help navigate with smartphone audio
Professional of the Year (Adults)
Simon Labbett, Rehabilitation Officer (Visual Impairment) at Bradford Metropolitan Borough Council and Chair of the Rehabilitation Workers' Professional Network
Professional of the Year (Children and Young People)
Paula Varney, Family Support Officer at Vista based at Leicester Royal Infirmary who helps families cope with a sight loss diagnosis
Team of the Year
Neuro-Ophthalmic Visual Impairment in Children clinic team at Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast Trust, supporting severely sight impaired children who previously were given very little help or information
We were so pleased to see Irenie win, as her 'No Water' campaign resonates with our advice that opticians can offer swimmers who wear lenses - that prescription goggles are the safest option.
Here is some help for annoying eye floaters. We are asked about these a lot in the office by customers. Also, as an optician, James sees many patients with 'floaters' in their eyes. These are annoying particles or threads that appear to float across our line of vision throughout the day.
As we welcome in 2023, it is a good time to reflect on what we can all do in our general life to help maintain healthy eyes.
We came away with two 'gongs': GOLD in the Best New Lip Product category for our Eye Care Cosmetics Nourishing lip balm; and HIGHLY COMMENDED in the Best New Eye or Brows Product category for our Eye Care Cosmetics Intense mascara.
"As an optometrist with a family history of macular degeneration, I am keen to source the widest range of products for eye health, dry eyes and blepharitis”
James Sutton (MCOptom)
Founder of Butterflies Eyecare
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