Buckinghamshire Businesses urged by rare cancer charity to put employee health in focus with new eye health initiative
Rare cancer charity Ocular Melanoma UK (OMUK) are calling on businesses across Buckinghamshire to take a bold step toward improving employee wellbeing by joining its new Employee Eye Health Initiative.
The programme, funded by The Clare Foundation through the support of Martin Gallagher, aims to improve the overall health of people across the county through promoting regular eye tests. Employers are invited to sign up by contacting paul@omuk.org and committing to a simple but powerful pledge: ensuring all employees receive regular eye tests.
As part of this pilot scheme, free eye tests are available to some participants, making it easier than ever for businesses to prioritise preventative healthcare. Although rare, regular eye tests can help to identify several health conditions including, rare cancers like ocular melanoma, high blood pressure and many more.
More Than Just Vision
This initiative challenges a common misconception: eye tests are not just about getting new glasses. They are a vital health check that can detect serious conditions early—often before symptoms appear.
The eye provides a unique window into overall health, enabling opticians to identify a range of potentially life-threatening conditions, including:
- Diabetes (via retinal blood vessel damage)
- High blood pressure and cardiovascular disease
- High cholesterol
- Brain tumours (through optic nerve swelling)
- Autoimmune disorders such as lupus and multiple sclerosis
- Various cancers, including melanoma and leukaemia
- Stroke and aneurysm risk
- Thyroid disease
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Sexually transmitted infections
A Life-Saving Opportunity
- 75% of ocular melanoma cases are first detected during routine sight tests
- 1 in 10 eye tests reveal other underlying health issues
- Early detection significantly improves survival chances
Ocular melanoma, though rare, is a serious cancer that often develops without noticeable symptoms. Routine eye examinations can often be the difference between early intervention and late diagnosis, highlighting just how vital practicing good eye health can be.
A Call to Action for Employers
By joining the Employer Eye Health Initiative, businesses in Buckinghamshire can:
- Protect and enhance employee health
- Support early detection of serious conditions
- Contribute to a healthier, happier workforce
- Demonstrate leadership in workplace wellbeing
This is a practical, high-impact step that requires minimal effort but delivers potentially lifesaving results for many with serious health conditions, including rare cancers like ocular melanoma.
To become part of the Employer Eye Health Initiative or to learn more, contact: paul@omuk.org
About Ocular Melanoma UK
Ocular Melanoma UK is a registered charity dedicated to supporting patients, funding research, and raising awareness of this rare eye cancer.
