#UrbanEyeTest Launches in Falkirk

Fabulous turnout today at the launch of the #UrbanEyeTest on Falkirk High Street. Thanks to everyone who came along to support us. This initiative is a novel way of raising awareness to encourage members of the public to take up the offer of a free eye test.  An eye test not only promotes good eye health, it can also help to detect underlying health conditions. Early detection can help prevent future health problems.

Thanks to funding from The Scottish Government’s See Hear Strategy, the #UrbanEyeTest was unveiled in Falkirk Town Centre, with the help of local celebrity, Barbara Bryceland – who appeared on BBC’s The Voice.

Special vinyl panels bearing the legend “Can you tell the exact time on the clock?” have been placed at an optimum distance from The Steeple, an iconic Falkirk landmark. Anyone taking the Urban Eye Test is encouraged to visit their optician for a NHS-funded eye exam, especially if they are not able to clearly tell the time on the clock.

The Urban Eye Test is being taken forward by See Hear Falkirk partners Falkirk Council, NHS Forth Valley, Forth Valley Sensory Centre and RNIB Scotland. Optometry Scotland, Falkirk Delivers, and local MP, John McNally, are also supporting the initiative. It puts Falkirk at the forefront of community eye health in Scotland.

Mr McNally, The Member of Parliament for Falkirk said: “Congratulations to Forth Valley Sensory Centre, their See Hear partners, and Falkirk Delivers for launching this novel initiative to capture attention and encourage local people to take their eye health seriously and go along for an eye test.”

Jacquie Winning, Manager of the Sensory Centre, said: “Early discovery and treatment of eye conditions can make a huge impact. The number of people with age-related sight loss in Scotland is expected to rise significantly over the next few years and losing your sight, or hearing, can have a dramatic impact on overall wellbeing.

“It is fantastic that Falkirk, which has a unique sight and hearing loss facility in the shape of our Centre, is once again leading the way in community eye health.”

The floor panel points participants towards useful online information – including how regular checks can be vital for identifying underlying health and sight-threatening conditions – while also encouraging local uptake of the universally available NHS-funded eye examination.

The initiative has been keenly supported by Optometry Scotland, which aims to advance world class eye care in Scotland.
Welcoming the launch of the Urban Eye Test, David Quigley, Chair of Optometry Scotland, said: “We think that this is an easy and fun way for the people of Falkirk to start thinking more about their vision and preventive care for this vital sense which is a significant factor in retaining quality of life as we age.

“We tend to lead busy lives and too often good eye health takes a backseat, allowing vision to gradually deteriorate and sometimes for underlying issues to go undetected.

“The Urban Eye Test in Falkirk will allow participants to quickly assess their eyesight and then get advice on how to manage it, including where to book an eye examination.”

Falkirk Delivers have been instrumental in getting the project off the ground, building awareness with local opticians and securing permission to install the vinyl panels.

Alex Fleming, BID Manager, Falkirk Delivers, commented: “Falkirk has always had a history of innovation and we have worked hard to make our town more accessible to people with sight loss and any form of disability. For that reason, when we heard about the Urban Eye Test plan, we were delighted to be able to help.”

There are two Urban Eye Test sites in Falkirk Town Centre, facing The Steeple from different directions and one facing a clock in the Forth Valley Sensory Centre sensory garden in Camelon.

Participants will be encouraged to share their #UrbanEyeTest experience via social media with the hashtag #UrbanEyeTest.
Optometry Scotland would like to roll out the Urban Eye Test to other communities across the country, but Falkirk residents will be the first in Scotland to have the opportunity to experience it.

 

Try our #UrbanEyeTest today! Can you read the steeple when you stand in this spot? Tag us and let us know using #UrbanEyeTest , @FVSensoryCentre and @OptomScotland.