The awards have been devised by the UK Vision Strategy and in collaboration with the RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind) and NB Online (the RNIB's online news and information site for eye health and sight loss professionals). By raising awareness of sight loss conditions and their optimum treatments, it is hoped the aims of the UK Vision Strategy will be promoted and met. We were invited to attend as guests of the RNIB.
After a drinks and canapes reception, the awards began and were hysterically hosted by Chris McCausland, a stand-up comedian who lost his sight from retinitis pigmentosa. He was an absolute hoot and regaled us with his tales and challenges of being a blind husband and father in the modern world. If you get a chance to see him perform live, then take it.
Anyway, back to the awards and their winners, there were five categories as follows;
Campaign of the Year
No Water by Irenie Ekkeshis - see below
Innovation
Wayfindr by Royal London Society for the Blind (RLSB) - an app to help navigate with smartphone audio
Professional of the Year (Adults)
Simon Labbett, Rehabilitation Officer (Visual Impairment) at Bradford Metropolitan Borough Council and Chair of the Rehabilitation Workers' Professional Network
Professional of the Year (Children and Young People)
Paula Varney, Family Support Officer at Vista based at Leicester Royal Infirmary who helps families cope with a sight loss diagnosis
Team of the Year
Neuro-Ophthalmic Visual Impairment in Children clinic team at Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast Trust, supporting severely sight impaired children who previously were given very little help or information
We were so pleased to see Irenie win, as her 'No Water' campaign resonates with our advice that opticians can offer swimmers who wear lenses - that prescription goggles are the safest option.
Compared to an optical magnifier that just uses an illuminating light and a magnifying lens, with an electronic video magnifier or digital, you can zoom into and magnify images and text on a screen, as well as change the colours.
Brought to you by two of the UK's most experienced and trusted eye surgeons, all you need to know about thyroid eye disease, Graves' disease and selenium and vitamin D.
Eye Care Cosmetics Satin Lipsticks have been reformulated and released in a new range of colours. These are high tolerance cosmetics, meaning they are great for sore or sensitive lips.
Butterflies Eyecare and Prescription Swimming Goggles have won Feefo’s very exclusive accolade, the Feefo 10 Year of Excellence Award, for dedication and consistence in customer service - ten years in a row.
"As an optometrist with a family history of macular degeneration, I am keen to source the widest range of products for eye health, dry eyes and blepharitis”
James Sutton (MCOptom)
Founder of Butterflies Eyecare
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