Independent optometrist backs RNIB's call
A family optometrist from Sheffield is encouragingcataract, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration patients to provide vital feedback to theRoyal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
Alex Gage, an independent optometrist with two practices in Sheffield, believes there may be many people from the city and surrounding areas whose input could help change how the three eye conditions are treated.
The RNIB issued an appeal for patients living withthe ailments to share comments on the treatment they receive.
Alex said: "I'd like to encourage those affected by any of these three conditions to respond to this appeal from the RNIB because the results will help shape theNational Institute for Health and Care Excellence's guideline review for 2017.
"Sharing their experiences of living with these conditions can ultimately help anyone who develops them. With any of these eye conditions and with vision problems, it is important to seek care from an eye care specialist.
"Regular eye examinations are critical.Glaucoma is easy to treat but you need to have an eye exam to find the signs. Anyone with an immediate relative with glaucoma should have an eye exam every year."
Alex and his team use state of the art OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography)
equipment at the Woodseats practice to help catch glaucoma early and track anysubtle changes to the condition in patients by comparing 3D images of the back of the eye.
The RNIB will conduct phone interviews and online surveys with patients then analyse the results to inform an RNIB consultation submission. Topics to be reviewed will include the information provided to patients and the support they receive during diagnosis and treatment. Simply register your name onlinewww.rnib.org.uk/living-amd-cataracts-or-glaucoma-we-want-hear-youif you want to be contacted.
The deadline for patients to get in contact with RNIB is February 13 for people living with age-related macular degeneration, April 17 for cataract patients and June 6 for those living with glaucoma.
Alex Gage concludes: "We are fortunate in Sheffield that we can access the services of a major eye department at the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust. It would be good if we can back this up with views from people in Sheffield who are receiving treatment for these conditions."
If you have any further questions, concerns aboutcataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration, please contact Alex Gageat 857 Chesterfield Road, Woodseats on 0114 274 8582 orat48 Sandygate Road,Crosspool on0114 266 7066.
Ends
For more information or to arrange an interview with Alex Gage or wife and fellow optometrist Sarah, please contact Tracey Baty at three60 marketing on;
Direct line: 01430 871360
Mobile: 07971 961574
E mail:traceybaty@three60marketing.co.uk
Web:www.three60marketing.co.uk
Notes to Editors
Please visitwww.alexgagevision.co.ukfor more information about the extensive services and products that Alex and his wife, and fellow optometrist, Sarah Gage provide at their practices.
To keep up to date with news from Alex Gage Family Optometrist, find the company onFacebookandTwitter.
To read information on macular degeneration and retinal imaging from Alex Gage Family Optometrist, visitwww.alexgagevision.co.uk.
For more information about the Royal National Institute of Blind People, please visitwww.rnib.org.uk. To read more about the call for feedback from age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma patients, head towww.rnib.org.uk/living-amd-cataracts-or-glaucoma-we-want-hear-you.