South Antrim MP highlights call for better funding to combat sight loss

Fatma Jagani (Vision Express) with Paul Girvan MP and the OCT machine.

Vision Express joined its charity partner, the Macular Society, and Novartis Pharmaceuticals for the ‘Vision for Life’ event, hosted by Jim Shannon, MP for Strangford and vice chair of the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on eye health and visual impairment.

MPs and guests received an in-depth eye scan using Vision Express’ state-of-the-art Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) equipment which is available at many Vision Express practices. The equipment uses high-resolution 3D imaging to take pictures of the back of the eye.

The machine allows many sight-threatening conditions, such as age-related macular disease (AMD), to be detected far in advance.

Commenting on the event on February 25, Dan McGhee, Director of Professional Services at Vision Express, said: “This kind of event is crucial because it brings together a wide cross section of UK policy-makers, organisations and patients who are united that more needs to be done to prioritise eye health.

“New technologies, such as OCT scanning, is vital for early detection of eye conditions such as AMD and to pave the way for early pathways to treatment – often before any symptoms are being experienced.”