TOP Scottish athletes have joined forces with Tartan Silk PR and Optometry Scotland to promote free eye care for all.
Says a spokesperson: “The ‘Open Your Eyes’ campaign will run throughout 2011 and will involve a different Scottish sport star getting their eyes tested each month.
“The campaign will focus on the importance of good eye and hand co-ordination, eye care and the protection of eyes in various sporting disciplines.
“By facilitating early intervention, regular eye tests can eliminate avoidable blindness and illnesses, such as diabetes and the campaign will reinforce the crucial role eye tests play in the nation’s health.
“Former Scotland rugby star and current rugby pundit, Scott Hastings, launched the campaign in Edinburgh today before he and his wife, Jenny, got their eyes tested at one of the capital’s top optometry practices.”
Scott Hastings said: “My wife Jenny and I are delighted to support this campaign on behalf of Optometry Scotland to raise awareness of free eye tests in Scotland.
“It’s vital that Scots look after their eyes and take advantage of the free eye tests on offer throughout the country.”
Middlesbrough and Scotland footballer, Kevin Thomson, is among the other stars lined up to take part in the 12-month campaign.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Optometry Scotland
Function
Optometry Scotland (OS) represents optometrists and dispensing opticians and is the first point of contact for all health officials and external bodies in Scotland. OS does this by lobbying for better support services, enhanced status for the Optometric and Dispensing professions and more funding for future fee increases.
Mission statement and objectives
Optometry Scotland’s aim is “to develop, maintain and promote a world-class eye health and primary eye care service for the people of Scotland”.
OS will achieve this aim by:
- Striving for the highest possible standards of professional competence and care within the optometric professions.
- Securing funding to enable optometrists, dispensing opticians and their staff to provide high quality equitable services across Scotland and thereby:
- Equipping practices to the highest practical standards and
- Enabling and encouraging ongoing training and personal development for optometrists, dispensing opticians and their staff.
- Working with other relevant stakeholders, organisations, and the media, to raise awareness of the importance of regular eye examinations and extended specialist services provided within optometry practices.
History
Through extensive negotiations, meetings, lobbying and sheer will and determination, Optometry Scotland’s previous chair, Frank Munro, Hal Rollason and Donald Cameron led the newly-formed Optometry Scotland to the introduction of the new GOS eye examination in April 2006.
The introduction of additional resources and enhanced standards heralded new levels of professional eyecare which are the envy of the world.
Professional health bodies across the globe have learned from Optometry Scotland’s experience and as a result are now lobbying for similar levels of care.
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Contact: Jeremy Bone
Phone: 0131 557 8885
Email: jeremy@tartansilk.co.uk
Website: http://www.tartansilk.co.uk
