SPECSAVERS customers can now benefit from a potentially lifesaving health-assessment service, thanks to the installation of state-of-the-art fundus cameras in stores all over the UK.
What is a fundus camera? The fundus camera is actually a very clever and specialised microscope with an attached camera. It is designed to take a photograph of the interior surface of the eye, which is called the fundus, this is the only part of the human body where microcirculation of the blood can be observed directly.
Paul Carroll, director of professional services for Specsavers, says: ‘The fundus camera can play a vital role in the early diagnosis and management of many conditions, which can lead to blindness if not detected at an early stage. Some are potentially life-threatening.
"The fundus camera broadens the testing process to deliver a more in-depth health assessment for the customer. It also enables the patient to see the image, which helps them gain a greater understanding of the test. It is then retained as a record, to help monitor any changes over a prolonged period."
The free service is offered as part of an eye examination for customers aged over 40 or in cases where the optician or GP recommends it.
All Specsavers optometrists are trained to spot a range of health conditions as part of an eye examination. The use of the fundus camera broadens the testing process, enabling the detection of signs of glaucoma, diabetes, inflammatory disorders, age-related macular degeneration and vascular occlusions, as well as brain tumours, heart disease, high cholesterol, detached retinas and hypertension or high blood pressure. It is also used in retinal screening programmes.
Mr Carroll continues: "Our eyesight changes over time so it’s vital people come in for an eye examination at least once every two years. That’s even more important for higher risk groups, like the over 60s, diabetics and people with a family history of glaucoma."
To find your nearest store call 0800 068 0241 or visit www.specsavers.co.uk.
FACTFILE:
Specsavers was founded by Doug and Dame Mary Perkins in 1984 and is now the largest privately owned opticians in the world.
The couple still run the company, with their three children. Their son John is joint managing director
Specsavers has almost 1,600 stores throughout the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norw ay, Finland, Denmark, Spain, Australia and New Zealand.
Annual turnover for the Specsavers Group was £1.36 billion for 2009/10 and is forecast to reach £1.55 billion in 2010/11.
Specsavers optical stores and hearing centres are owned and run by joint venture or franchise partners. Together, they offer both optical and hearing services under one roof.
Specsavers employs over 26,000 members of staff.
Specsavers was voted Britain’s most trusted brand of opticians for the tenth year running by the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands survey 2010.
More than one in three people who wear glasses in the UK buy them from Specsavers – 9,700,000 glasses were exported from the warehouse to stores in 2009.
Specsavers was ranked No 1 for both eye tests and glasses in the UK.
Specsavers is the largest retail provider of home delivery contact lenses in Europe and one of the top two retail suppliers of continuous wear lenses in the world.
Specsavers is now the largest retail dispenser of digital hearing aids in the UK and offers a hearing service from more than 400 locations.
Specsavers supports numerous optical and hearing charities, including Guide Dogs and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. During its three-year support for Diabetes UK it raised more than £250,000 to fund various projects.
Since 2003 over a quarter of a million glasses have been collected and recycled by Specsavers stores for Vision Aid Overseas, for use in developing countries. Specsavers has raised over £370,000 for the charity since 2006, with almost £245,000 going towards its work in Zambia.
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