Local MP visits RNIB stand for a sight into the future

John Battle MP (Leeds West) will today get the chance to see what he will look like in the future as the RNIB brings its ‘virtual-ageing booth’ to the city as part of its Open Your Eyes tour.

The booth will be in the Headrow Shopping Centre on 15 and 16 September to raise awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle in looking after your sight. At the booth people will have their photo taken and then asked lifestyle questions to calculate how they will age and produce an image of what they will look like at 70.

John Battle MP said: “A significant number of people across Leeds will this year needlessly lose their sight from conditions that could be treated if caught early. I support RNIB’s call on the Government to raise awareness of the need for a regular eye test and will be working at local and national level to help them with the campaign.”

Research shows that nine out of ten people fear losing their sight above any other sense, but one in four people in Leeds still failed to have an eye test in the last two years. There are 100,000 people with sight problems in the UK and as many again at risk from preventable conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. By eating well, not smoking and having regular eye tests, the risk of sight problems is much reduced.

©John Battle MP 15 September 2006

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