Acton resident and TV personality Brenda Edwards is fronting a new campaign urging “aunties” to persuade their families to get regular eye tests, in a bid to tackle high rates of glaucoma among African-Caribbean communities.
The initiative, launched by high-street opticians Specsavers with guidance from Glaucoma UK, seeks to prevent avoidable sight loss by harnessing the influence of older women within families and friendship groups.
Dubbed The Auntie Army, it calls on self-appointed aunties to nudge loved ones into booking tests before glaucoma – which is often symptomless – causes irreversible damage. People of African-Caribbean heritage face up to four times the risk of developing the condition and may experience it earlier in life.
Research commissioned by Specsavers found adults from these backgrounds in Greater London are 68% more likely to delay health appointments due to nervousness or anxiety. Seven per cent said it had been more than two years since their last eye check, while nearly one in ten had never had one. Yet three in five (70%) said they would act on unsolicited “auntie advice”, particularly from women with a shared cultural background.
Glaucoma UK has warned that cases are set to rise by 44% between 2015 and 2035. Regular eye tests, experts say, make treatment as straightforward as using daily drops.
Ms Edwards, an actress, singer and Loose Women panellist, 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.”
She added: “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.”
