The Trust is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Chairman and Vice-Chairman.

Dharmesh Patel BSc (Hons) MCOptom is appointed Chairman with immediate effect. Dharmesh is currently the Director and Senior Optometrist at Dixon Optometrists. He is also a Consultant Clinical Advisor in refractive surgery and serves on the Stockport Local Optical Committee.

James Russell FBDO is appointed Vice-Chairman with immediate effect. James was elected onto ABDO Council and became its President in November 2003, completing his term of office in September 2006. Since then he has been an Associate of the Healthcare Commission and is now appointed to serve on the GOC. He is also in practice in Kent.

Iain Anderson steps down as Chairman of the Trust after eight years in the role. He will remain on the board of trustees.

Speaking about his new appointment Dharmesh said: I’m delighted to have been appointed as Chairman of the Trust. Iain has left a terrific legacy as the charity is well placed to deliver a higher public profile for eye health and the importance of regular sight testing.

I look forward to continuing Iain’s good work and working with my fellow board directors to develop a series of innovative and engaging public information campaigns that generate a positive and immediate change in public attitudes towards eye care.

Commenting on his appointment to the newly created role of Vice-Chairman James said: In recent years the Eyecare Trust has established solid foundations on which to build a programme of activities that benefit the whole of optics providing the profession with the tools it needs to promote the concept of regular eye care and developing campaigns that resonate with even the hardest to reach sectors of our society.

I look forward to serving with my fellow board members as the charity takes full advantage of its independent status to raise eyecare up the public health agenda.

The Trust has teamed up with healthcare provider, Simplyhealth, to launch a major new initiative to educate employers’ about the importance of caring for their employees’ eye health, after a survey commissioned by the charity found that 89 per cent of British businesses are failing to meet their legal obligations to protect their staff’s sight!

ScreenSmart resource packs comprising a handbook with clear guidance on HSE Display Screen Regulations; compliance checklists; information on the benefits of being ScreenSmart, posters, eye health advice for employees and an animated film featuring a step-by-step guide to setting up an ergonomic workstation for use on intranet sites and health and safety training workshops are being sent to 2,500 employers across the UK.

The Trust is also inviting opticians to get involved in the campaign. So to help you promote the benefits of positive eye care and workplace vision screening we’ve produced a template letter and information leaflet.

Log-on to the ScreenSmart website www.screensmart.co.uk for more information about the campaign or email info@eyecaretrust.org.uk to request a copy of the employers’ resource pack*

*subject to availability.

This season’s must have fashion accessory is a pair of specs. After being hailed as the ultimate in ‘Geek Chic’, fashionistas are all clamoring for pairs of non-prescription glasses.

Bold retro frames as sported by the likes of Madonna, Fearne Cotton and fashion designer, Henry Holland, are the height of fashion.

To be totally on-trend in the fashion frame stakes try Cutler and Gross style 0690 (pictured above).

The Trust would like to say a BIG thank you to ten-year-old Henry Jones who did a sponsored pogo in aid of the charity.

After several weeks of training Henry pogo’d non-stop between his home in Cowbridge and Y Bont Faen primary school.

We estimate he bounced a staggering 8,000 times as he made the one mile round trip - now that’s hopping mad!!

Well done Henry - your fantastic achievement raised £135 for the Trust.