Did you know that 50% of sight loss is preventable but not necessarily treatable? National Eye Health Week is an annual event that takes place in the last week of September, during which Croydon Vision – Croydon’s premier sight loss charity – will be getting out in the community to catch certain eye conditions, while they can still be treated.

“Our local ethnic diversity means that the prevalence of certain eye conditions, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, are disproportionately high,” explains Mickella Hosannah, Croydon Vision’s Ambassador of Buzz. “Fortunately, there’s a quick and simple test that can be conducted by an optometrist with the right equipment, to find out whether you might be at risk.”

Croydon Vision are keen to reach as many Croydon residents as possible during National Eye Health Week, which runs from Monday 20th to Sunday 26th September, so they’ll be hosting two free drop-in events at The Whitgift Centre. Members of the friendly Croydon Vision team will be ready and willing to share hints, tips and information, as well as conduct basic testing.

You’ll find them at The Wellness Centre, top floor of The Whitgift Centre (opposite Waterstones) on Tuesday 21st September, 11am-1pm and also Wednesday 22nd September, 3pm – 5pm.

There’s no need to book, so please do take advantage of this free service and bring along anyone you think could benefit from it too!

Carrots and good eyesight – fact or fiction? While carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which the body utilizes to produce Vitamin A (good for eye health) the notion that they’ll help you see in the dark is a myth that was created during WWII. The allies were developing secret radar technology, but to deter the enemy from finding out what they were up to, they publicized that their accuracy under the cover of darkness was thanks to a diet rich in carrots!