ABDO has commissioned media agency, the Relations Group, to interview around 2,000 members of the ‘Sandwich Generation’, asking them about how they look after their own health, that of their parents and their children. The ‘Sandwich Generation’ - originally coined by social worker Dorothy Miller in 1981 - describes those who are “sandwiched” between looking after young children and aging parents, as their primary caregiver. This is a growing group as families are having children later and seniors are living longer. This 40-60 age group is a cohort that is entering presbyopia and at increasing risk of sight-threatening eye disease, while still perceiving themselves too young for both glasses and eye disease.

The survey has unveiled that a quarter (25 per cent) of the ‘Sandwich Generation’ spend more time looking after the health of others than their own and 17 per cent admit that their own health suffers due to the demands of looking after others. What effect is this having on people in this bracket? The research found that a fifth (20 per cent) feel pressured by their growing responsibilities. Almost three quarters (72 per cent) place their child’s health above their own and around a quarter (24 per cent) prioritises their parents’ health over their own.

The research also highlights that looking after their eyes was a key area that was sacrificed due to lack of time, with 7 per cent having not been to the optician for a staggering nine years or more. As many as 1 in 6 (16 per cent)say they don’t have enough time to spend on their own health, while a quarter (24 per cent) are most likely to go to the optician for their child and 2 per cent for their parents, over themselves.

Alongside the survey results, during the radio campaign broadcasts ABDO media representatives will highlight the role of the dispensing optician, promoting messages such as, ‘Association of British Dispensing Opticians members provide professional eye care throughout the UK to prevent the potential loss of sight’ and ‘regular eye tests are readily available to everyone in the UK near their home’.

Together with a Radio Day on Friday 16 September, ABDO is also spreading the eye care message to parents and children via Fun Kids Radio, with a reprise of the series of audio programmes broadcast last year, which will be running from 19 September. On top of this, there will be an animated video series going live from 2 October. To find out more or download the podcast visit http://www.funkidslive.com/ and search for ‘Hallux’s i-Guide’.

Launched at a reception at the House of Lords on Wednesday 7th September, the report, which is part of a three year collaboration between Specsavers and the RNIB, contains the “data and insight that commissioners, policy makers, service providers and professionals working in the health, care and voluntary sectors need in order to make a difference.”

The conference, due to be held in Liverpool next May, is the biggest of its kind within the contact lens industry and offers delegates the chance to keep up to date with the latest research, trends and best practice.

BCLA leaders are now looking to put together a programme of workshops, science streams and case reports focusing on the key trends within modern contact lens practice. A call has now been issued for submissions on any topic related to contact lenses and the anterior eye.

Suggested topics for lectures and workshops include the fitting of contact lenses in children, cataract management and the challenges and opportunities offered by anterior eye practice in the future. Lecture and workshop submissions should be made by Friday, October 26.

Due to changing demographics the demand for specialist low vision services is steadily increasing. By enhancing your low vision skills you can greatly help others, which is both valuable and extremely rewarding.

The ABDO College Low Vision Honours Course includes the theory and practical aspects of low vision consultation and fully prepares candidates for the ABDO Level 6 FBDO (Hons) LVA examinations.