Latest news with #AOP
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Care delays putting people with glaucoma at risk of blindness
Care delays are putting people with glaucoma at risk of blindness, experts have warned. The Association of Optometrists (AOP) said the current approach to the condition in England is 'failing the public'. A survey by the organisation found more than half of high street optometrists have witnessed patients going blind from the condition because of late detection or delays in treatment. Glaucoma, which affects around 700,000 people in the UK, is caused by fluid building up in the front part of the eye, leading to the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becoming damaged. The condition does not usually cause any symptoms to begin with and can develop slowly over many years. A report by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists suggests cases could rise by 22 per cent by 2035. Adam Sampson, AOP chief executive, said: 'The current approach to glaucoma in England is failing the public. 'Each year, people are faced with the reality of permanent sight loss as a direct result of delays to care and inconsistencies in eye care provision. 'But glaucoma services led by optometrists show that it does not need to be this way.' According to the AOP, reforms in Wales in 2022 mean optometrists can offer glaucoma services on the high street, with schemes also running in Scotland and in some areas of England. It is now calling for the Government to commit to a national glaucoma pathway for England, working with high street opticians to ensure patients have equal access to treatment. The AOP found of 915 optometrists, 54 per cent had witnessed a patient with glaucoma permanently losing their sight in the past year. More than six in 10 optometrists believed most of their patients were unaware of the condition or its risk factors, which include age, ethnicity and some medical conditions such as diabetes. Mr Sampson added: 'The research we have conducted reveals a national glaucoma pathway in England could free up 300,000 hospital eye appointments and save the NHS over £12 million every year. 'We are calling on the Government to act now to overhaul health in England. 'We must ensure high street optometrists can protect the public by detecting, monitoring and treating glaucoma, and ease the burden on hospital eye services.' Matt Weale was diagnosed with glaucoma after a routine eye test in 2021 revealed dangerously high pressure in his left eye. The 54-year-old said: 'By the time I was finally offered a follow-up appointment my vision had already started to deteriorate. 'I felt like I was falling through the cracks. It was terrifying not knowing if I was going to lose my sight because the system was too stretched to see me. 'If I hadn't been able to pay for private care, I truly believe I would have gone blind in my left eye. I lost confidence, I had to give up my job, the things I loved like playing football and performing.'
The Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Patients with common eye condition face sight loss due to care delays
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Patients with a common eye condition risk losing their sight permanently due to delays in care, experts have warned. The Association of Optometrists (AOP) said the current approach to glaucoma in England is 'failing the public'. It comes as a survey by the organisation found more than half of high street optometrists have witnessed patients going blind from the condition because of late detection or delays in treatment. Glaucoma affects about 700,000 people in the UK. It is caused by fluid building up in the front part of the eye, leading to the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becoming damaged. The condition does not usually cause any symptoms to begin with and can develop slowly over many years. A report by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists suggests cases could rise by 22% by 2035. AOP chief executive Adam Sampson said: 'The current approach to glaucoma in England is failing the public. 'Each year, people are faced with the reality of permanent sight loss as a direct result of delays to care and inconsistencies in eye care provision. 'But glaucoma services led by optometrists show that it does not need to be this way.' According to the AOP, reforms in Wales in 2022 mean optometrists can offer glaucoma services on the high street, with schemes also running in Scotland and in some areas of England. It is now calling for the Government to commit to a national glaucoma pathway for England, working with high street opticians to ensure patients have equal access to treatment. An AOP survey of 915 optometrists found 54% had witnessed a patient with glaucoma permanently losing their sight in the last year. The poll also found more than six in 10 optometrists believe most of their patients are unaware of the condition or its risk factors, which include age, ethnicity and some medical conditions like diabetes. Mr Sampson added: 'The research we have conducted reveals a national glaucoma pathway in England could free up 300,000 hospital eye appointments and save the NHS over £12m every year. 'We are calling on the Government to act now to overhaul health in England. 'We must ensure high street optometrists can protect the public by detecting, monitoring and treating glaucoma, and ease the burden on hospital eye services.' Matt Weale was diagnosed with glaucoma after a routine eye test in 2021 revealed dangerously high pressure in his left eye. The 54-year-old said: 'By the time I was finally offered a follow-up appointment, my vision had already started to deteriorate. 'I felt like I was falling through the cracks, and it was terrifying – not knowing if I was going to lose my sight because the system was too stretched to see me. 'If I hadn't been able to pay for private care, I truly believe I would have gone blind in my left eye. I lost confidence, I had to give up my job, the things I loved – like playing football and performing.'
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Airfield falls silent to remember Old Sarum squadrons with key role in WWII
OLD Sarum Airfield fell silent on Tuesday morning (June 10) to commemorate specialist squadrons founded during the Second World War. Several Air Observation Post (AOP) squadrons were founded at the former RAF airfield in the early 1940s, including Squadron 653, which moved to Normandy in June 1944 and supported the Army in France and the Netherlands. During the war, AOP squadrons flew unarmed aircraft to spot enemy targets, radioing their locations to direct artillery fire. Veterans and serving members of the Army Air Corps watch the memorial service (Image: Spencer Mulholland) Later, in 1957, the Army Air Corps (AAC) was created from the foundations of the Glider Pilot Regiment and Air Observation Post Squadrons. Veterans in the Air Observation Post Association were joined by past and present members of the AAC at the airfield on Tuesday to commemorate the formation of Squadron 653, 83 years on. The AAC flew an Apache helicopter to the airfield at 10am, and the ceremony began next to a memorial dedicated to AOP squadrons an hour later. Lieutenant General Sir Gary Coward, president of the Air Observation Post Association, served in the 653 in Germany in the early 1980s. During the ceremony, he said: 'We are here today to commemorate the formation of 653 Squadron in June 1942; one of 12 British Air OP squadrons created during the Second World War. During that conflict, 117 members of the Air OP made the supreme sacrifice. 'Their courage was recognised by the award of two DSOs (Distinguished Service Order), five MCs (Military Cross), 132 DFCs (Distinguished Flying Cross), a DFM (Distinguished Flying Medal) and a Military Medal. 'Eighty-three years on, we will remember them. 'A number of us here today serve, and have served, in 653 Squadron, continuing the proud traditions first laid down here at Old Sarum in 1942, in Normandy in 1944 and beyond.' An Apache helicopter landed on the grass airstrip at 10am (Image: Spencer Mulholland) He told the assembled crowd that his father-in-law had also served in the squadron in Normandy as a flight medic. He said: 'It took a while, and a few whiskeys, to draw these memories out of him in later life.' The service took place next to Hangar 3, a First World War structure that was badly damaged by a large fire in April. Read more: Salisbury Business Expo set to welcome hundreds of firms Read more: Salisbury runners unite against cancer and raise £53k Sir Gary said: 'On behalf of the association, can I thank the airfield owner, Mr Grenville Hodge, and his team for allowing us to hold this event today, and for remediating the site after the tragic events of April 17.' He also thanked the Boscombe Down Aviation Collection for supporting the event and his fellow members of the Air Observation Post Association committee. Attendees then enjoyed a tour of the aviation collection and a buffet lunch.
The Hindu
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
TNAU has disbursed ₹8.98 crore as grants to 85 agri startups since 2019
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, has disbursed grants to the extent of 8.98 crore to 85 agri startups since 2019, under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana - Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sectors Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR), a flagship scheme of the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare to strengthen infrastructure in Agriculture and Allied sectors. The allied sectors constitute Crop Husbandry (including Horticulture), Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Dairy Development, Agricultural Research and Education, Forestry and Wildlife, Plantation and Agricultural Marketing, Food Storage and Warehousing, Soil and Water Conservation, Agricultural Financial Institutions, other Agricultural Programmes and Cooperation. TNAU is one among 24 R-ABIs (RKVY-RAFTAAR Agribusiness Incubators) identified by the Central Government for fostering Agripreneurship and Agri-Business ecosystem across the country, through facilitating financial aid to potential agri startups and nurturing a system of business incubation. The TNAU has been conducting two programmes under this scheme: Agripreneurship Orientation Programme (AOP) for a grant up to ₹5 lakh, and Startup Agribusiness Incubation Programme (SAIP) ) for a grant of up to ₹25 lakh. Earlier this week, R. Thamizh Vendan, Registrar and Acting Vice-Chancellor, TNAU, disbursed ₹35 lakh for 10 SAIP Cohort III Grantees as third instalment, ₹17.80 lakh for 11 AOP Cohort IV Grantees as second instalment and ₹35.40 lakh for 13 AOP Cohort V Grantees as first instalment. In total, ₹88.20 lakh were given to 34 grantees of SAIP cohort III and AOP cohort IV and V. The grant, Prof. Vendhan said, has been effective in retaining the youth in agriculture and to support agri-based startups to innovate and implement new technologies for sustainable and profitable agribusiness. The grantees have planned to utilise the grant for development of products and upscaling their startups in agri and allied ventures, E. Somasundaram, Director, Agri-Business Development, TNAU, said. RKVY-RAFTAAR, sources added, is being implemented as a Centrally-sponsored scheme in the ratio of 60:40 (Government of India and State Share respectively) except in case of north-eastern and hilly States where the sharing pattern is 90:10. For union territories, the grant is 100% as Central share.
Daily Record
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Keir Starmer urged to introduce stricter eyesight testing rules for all drivers
Experts are demanding new eyesight testing rules for drivers. Drivers may have to undergo eye tests to hold onto their licenses after Labour was ordered to introduce "mandatory vision checks' for all motorists, with older drivers told they should have to sit an eye test every three years. The Association of Optometrists (AOP) had previously claimed the current rules around road vision checks are 'out of step' and were in need of a review. Dr Peter Hampson, Optometrist and Clinical and Policy Director at the AOP, said they had been calling for tougher vision checks on UK roads. As it stands drivers are only required to self-certify they are safe to drive to hold onto their driving licence, and are not legally obliged to undertake any assessments. After similar remarks from the Older Drivers Forum and a leading coroner, the remarks pile more pressure on Sir Keir Starmer and the Government to react and change the rules. Speaking exclusively to the Express, Peter said: 'The UK system around drivers vision is out of step with many other countries who instead use a full sight test to ensure vision meets the standard. 'In fact, within Europe, we are one of only five countries that uses a numberplate test and only one of three countries to rely on self-reporting. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 'We have long called for mandatory vision checks at first licence application and at every renewal – every 10 years for most drivers, every three years for those over 70. 'With over 7,000 optometry practices nationwide, optometrists are well placed to support the delivery of these checks swiftly and effectively.' Dr James Adeley stressed the UK system was the 'worst in Europe" as he looked into the deaths of four pedestrians killed by older drivers. The Older Drivers Forum supports the introduction of compulsory eyesight checks to make sure road users getting behind the wheel are safe. They said: 'The Forum recommend that all drivers have an optician's eyesight test at least every 2 years. Nearly 90% of driving is visual and we need good vision to see hazards and react to them.' It was previously reported drivers who are aged 70 and over and have not renewed their licence are not 'legally allowed to drive', according to experts. That's because 90 days before drivers turn 70, they should receive a D46P application form from the DVLA. Age UK stated that if a person's drivers licence expires and they are unable to apply for a new one within the timeframe then they are not legally allowed to get behind the wheel. The charity states: "Don't forget to apply for any extra categories of vehicle covered on your old licence if you still want to be able to drive them.
