Gogglebox star Mary Killen backs global eye care campaign

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 06:15 · Archive

Gogglebox star Mary Killen has joined Orbis's World Sight Day campaign to raise awareness of global inequalities in eye care access.

Gogglebox star Mary Killen has joined a campaign urging people to book regular eye tests and highlighting global inequalities in eye care. The writer and television star from Pewsey is supporting the initiative alongside broadcaster Helen Fospero and eyewear designer Tom Davies, who have teamed up with international eye care charity Orbis to mark World Sight Day.

The campaign draws attention to the gap between access to eye care in the UK and in lower-income countries, where even basic treatments can be out of reach. Orbis is sharing close-up iris artwork from its ambassadors to spark conversations about the importance of sight and encourage people to book eye tests.

Killen said: 'Good eye care is something we can find on our high street in the UK without thinking twice, but for millions of families around the world that isn't the case.' Fospero added that having Orbis create an image of her iris made her 'really grateful for good sight', and noted that for millions 'something as simple as an eye test, a pair of glasses or treatment that could prevent sight loss remains out of reach'.

Orbis points out that while eye care is readily available in the UK, millions elsewhere must choose between sight-saving treatment and basic necessities like food. Globally, 1.1 billion people are blind or visually impaired, with 90 per cent of cases caused by preventable or treatable conditions. Children are particularly affected, with 450 million worldwide needing treatment for sight conditions.

How it is being reported

• Gogglebox star Mary Killen joins global eye campaignA Gogglebox star has joined a campaign urging people to look after their eyes and book regular eye testsSwindon Advertiser · 9 Oct, 05:00
• Gogglebox star Mary Killen joins global eye campaignA Gogglebox star has joined a campaign urging people to look after their eyes and book regular eye testsGazette & Herald · 9 Oct, 05:00
• Gogglebox star Mary Killen joins global eye campaignA Gogglebox star has joined a campaign urging people to look after their eyes and book regular eye testsThis Is Wiltshire · 9 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Mary Killen · Helen Fospero · Tom Davies · Orbis · Pewsey · UK

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