Checking eyesight is essential for overall health

G’town optometrist goes extra mile to help all see clearly

TAKING care of one’s eyesight should not be limited by the cost of eyewear.

Grahamstown-based optometrist Dr Trevor Davies said eye month ended on October 16 and he joined the Health Department in urging the public to to visit an eye care professional and have their eyes tested.

The department said in a release that people with vision problems were more likely to have diabetes, poor hearing, heart problems, high blood pressure, lower back pain strokes, and were at risk of tumbling.

Davies said: “People need to check their eyes often. When people do not go get their eyes checked they run the risk of exposing themselves to things like preventable blindness.”

Davies said frequent eye checks helped doctors and patients to be aware of problems at an early stage.

“There are diseases like glaucoma which have no early warning signs. Also, diabetes is still the leading cause of blindness, so people should always get checked out,” Davies added.

Davies runs free screenings in Grahamst Joza location, where people’s eye health is checked out and reviewed.

He said his practice, Dr Davies Optometrists, had become aware that people want to prioritise by spending money on other things and not eye health.

However, he said that once a person was been tested and it has been established that they need glasses, they can go to Davies’ eye clinic where, for R100, they can get an eye test, lenses and frames.

“We live in a small town. Our job is to take care of the eye care of everyone, not just people with money,” he said.

SpecSavers marketing manager Lauren Baker said their campaign, Kids’ Right to Good Sight, offered children between six and 12 a free eye test and free glasses and lenses.

“One does not have to have to have a medical aid. We are investing in our future leaders because we pay for everything. We wanted to do something for youth develop she said. — siyat@dispatch.co.za