One-day access to new eyesight technology
Newbury optometrist backs revolutionary scans coming to town
A NEWBURY optometrist has endorsed a new unique biometric eye scan, which will be free to access for one day in Newbury.
The revolutionary form of eye testing, called DNEye, is coming to Parkway on Saturday, following World Sight Day today (Thursday).
German lens company Rodenstock is bringing its DNEye van to offer the free scans – which measure the anatomy of someone’s eye, creating a lens customised to them.
Rodenstock technicians will be in town from 9am to 4pm and will be able to give people a biometric scan of each eye and analyse the data, which has previously been unmeasurable.
It will simulate for people how glare affects the eyes under day and night-time conditions, as well as how it affects vision from far to near.
Rodenstock works with Valarie Jerome Optometrists – in Northbrook Street – in providing frames and lenses.
Valarie Jerome said: “They [Rodenstock] have chosen Newbury to bring their DNEye big vision van and educate the general public about products they offer and how they can enhance someone’s vision with the new lenses.”
She said the technology allows technicians to take individual measurements of each eye – around 7,000 points of data intake – and use it to combine with a traditional spectacle prescription to provide patients with the best visual outcome in their glasses.
She added that patients notice a difference in night-time driving, improved contrast and better vision when using the computer.
Dr Jerome said: “I am passionate about eye care and being an advocate to promote better eye care to my patients and general public.”
Rodenstock has previously assisted Dr Jerome in her efforts to provide eye care to refugees and asylum seekers in the district.
On the arrival of Syrian refugees seven years ago Dr Jerome helped them get access to glasses and eye examinations – things that are often forgotten about when it comes to supporting refugees.
“A lot of people think that they immediately have access to benefits and free eye tests with the NHS,” she said.
“When refugees come here they go weeks and months and they can’t see.
“When refugees come, obviously they flee, so they don’t pack their bag.
“Often times when someone leaves [their home country] fast, they leave behind glasses or contact lenses so I have been able to help them get their sight back really.”
Dr Jerome, who came to the UK in 2009 from the US, said: “I came to this country as an immigrant so I know how hard immigration can be.”
In 2020 she worked with West Berkshire Council to assist Afghan asylum seekers and again in 2022 with the arrival of Ukrainian refugees.
She added: “When you leave a country you leave everything behind, friends, family, your job, your safety and security.
“It just really touched me and I felt a real calling to help people.”