Loose Women star Brenda Edwards is calling on Britain’s ‘aunties’ to step up and help combat the danger of preventable sight loss within African-Caribbean communities.
Loose Women star Brenda Edwards has urged those from African-Caribbean backgrounds to help tackle the risk of avoidable sight loss in their communities The television personality revealed that glaucoma runs in her family and warned those from an African Caribbean background are up to four times more likely to develop it.
Her appeal follows research which discovered African-Caribbean adults were also a third more likely to postpone or skip appointments, including GP visits and eye examinations, compared to other groups. However, 78 per cent suggested that guidance from older, respected women – or ‘aunties’ – would shape their healthcare choices.
The singer and presenter, who has teamed up with Specsavers said: “Aunties have been praying, cooking and looking after their communities forever. Now it’s time for them to tell their loved ones to get an eye test – because that’s who they will listen to.
“My family has a history of glaucoma so I’m very aware how important eye tests are. So please do as your auntie says and book one today, even if you think you can see perfectly fine.”
“I’m not asking now, I’m telling you – pass the message on.”
The study of 2,000 adults – including 500 from African-Caribbean backgrounds – showed 71 per cent believe it’s more crucial that health advice originates from someone sharing a similar cultural heritage.
Robyn Asprey, development manager at Glaucoma UK, has warned that the number of people living with glaucoma is set to skyrocket by 44 per cent between 2015 and 2035.
She also added: “People from African-Caribbean communities are up to four times more likely to get glaucoma, and although it’s more common later in life, it can affect people of all ages.”
“We need to raise awareness of glaucoma amongst higher risk communities and ensure people can access the eye care they need, in an equitable and timely manner,” she added.
Shockingly, nearly half of Brits remain oblivious to the risks or warning signs of glaucoma and a fifth confessed it had been two years or longer since their last eye check – while one in twenty admitted they’d never had one at all.
Ebahi Demi Ejegi, an optometry director at Specsavers Sidcup, added: “Glaucoma can develop slowly over time without obvious symptoms, meaning many don’t realise there’s a problem until irreversible damage to their vision has already been done.
“That’s why regular eye checks are so important – they’re not just about checking your vision, they’re vital to catch conditions like glaucoma early.”