Tag: Specsavers

Edinburgh businesses to join forces to support people experiencing homelessness at special out-of-hours clinic

TEAM members at Specsavers Morningside, together with local businesses from the area and nearby Bruntsfield, are joining forces to support people experiencing homelessness through a special out-of-hours clinic on Monday 13th October 2025.

The initiative, led by Michael O’Kane, director of Specsavers Morningside and Cameron Toll, brings together a wide network of local partners who are each contributing to make the event a community-wide effort.

Support has come from across the local areas, with donations and services from St James Management, Houseproud, Waitrose, Toys Galore, JoJo Maman Bébé, 181 Deli, and a local barber, among others.

Together, they are helping to provide food, essential winter clothing, baby clothes for families and haircuts, alongside free eye and ear care services.

A team of seven colleagues from the Morningside store, located at 85 Morningside Road, will host an eye and ear care clinic offering sight tests, OCT scans, glasses, hearing tests, and ear wax removals – all provided outside of normal business hours.

The clinic, organised to tie into World Homeless Day (10th October 2025), will run between 6–8pm, offering a calm, welcoming environment for people experiencing homelessness to access care and connect with the local community.

Specsavers Morningside and Cameron Toll stores are partnering with Social Bite, Streetwork at Simon Community Scotland and The Bethany Christian Trust, inviting anyone affected by homelessness to attend the clinic and access the support available.

This event forms part of Specsavers’ wider homelessness programme, reinforcing the company’s commitment to breaking down barriers to healthcare.

The Edinburgh stores are proud to mark World Homeless Day by taking a holistic approach – improving access to eye and ear care while also ensuring attendees can enjoy a meal, receive essential winter clothing, and access other wellbeing services in one supportive setting.

Michael O’Kane, clinical director at Specsavers Morningside and Cameron Toll stores, says: ‘Our ambition is to ensure that everyone experiencing homelessness can access free, appropriate eye and hearing care.

‘By helping people achieve better sight and hearing, we hope to improve their quality of life and unfortunately, we know that for many, this is not the case because it can be incredibly difficult for them to access to this care.

‘By holding an out-of-hours clinic around World Homeless Day and working closely with a number of generous businesses in the local area, we are aiming to make expert care accessible to our community whilst raising awareness of the barriers currently in place.’

One in three people who experience homelessness need glasses, and for many, accessing healthcare can be extremely difficult. This clinic is one of many being held across the UK, providing essential services to those who might otherwise go without.

Alongside its local work, Specsavers continues to collaborate nationally with organisations such as Crisis, Vision Care for Homeless People, and The Big Issue to develop long-term solutions that remove healthcare barriers for those most in need.

The company is also calling for policy changes to ensure that everyone experiencing homelessness can access free eye tests, hearing checks, and replacement glasses where needed.

Anyone who wishes to attend the clinic at Specsavers Morningside can request an appointment by calling 0131 446 9960 or emailing: 

customer.morningside.uk@specsavers.com.

Specsavers Edinburgh team highlight importance of eye health this National Eye Health Week

Specsavers at Shandwick Place in Edinburgh is celebrating it’s over two decade long commitment to promoting better eye health in the local community this National Eye Health Week (22nd – 28th September). 

As a locally owned and run store, Specsavers Shandwick Place is dedicated to supporting the health and wellbeing of people in the area. The high street retailer is keen to raise awareness about the importance of regular eye checks this National Eye Health Week, which runs from 22nd – 28th September 2025. 

With figures from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) revealing that one in five people will experience sight loss in their lifetime*, Specsavers Shandwick Place is urging locals to prioritise their eye health. 

Store director, Aly Uka says: ‘Many people don’t realise that sight loss can often be prevented or treated if a condition is caught early.

“Regular eye tests are essential for everyone, even if you think your vision is fine. Eye tests are not just about glasses, they can detect serious conditions like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and even high blood pressure or risk of stroke.’

National Eye Health Week highlights how preventative care and early diagnosis are crucial in reducing unnecessary sight loss.

According to RNIB, 250 people in the UK begin to lose their sight every day, and this number is expected to rise as the population ages*. 

Eye health can also be affected by screen fatigue, especially as more people spend time on devices. Specsavers recommends following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away to help reduce strain and preserve vision. 

As a long-standing part of the Shandwick Place community, Specsavers is focused on highlighting that essential health services must be accessible and visible to everyone. 

For more information on Specsavers Shandwick Place or to book an appointment, call the store on 0131 240 8860 or visit:

https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/shandwickplace.

Specsavers have several other stores in and around Edinburgh, including:

  • Leith
  • Blackhall Sainsbury’s
  • Nicolson Street
  • Gyle Centre
  • Fort Kinnaird
  • Straiton Sainsbury’s
  • Cameron Toll
  • Morningside
  • Edinburgh Home Visits

Specsavers: New White Armbands to Support Young Referees Across Grassroots Football

Specsavers is proud to announce its partnership with the Scottish FA’s #LetThemRef campaign, a bold nationwide initiative designed to protect young match officials and transform behaviour across grassroots football.

The new campaign will introduce a series of comprehensive measures to create a safe and more respectful environment for everyone involved in grassroots football, with a particular focus on referees under the age of 18.

At the heart of the initiative are specially designed white armbands, sponsored by Specsavers, which will be worn by all youth referees to clearly identify them as officials still in training who require patience, support and encouragement.

By making young officials easily identifiable to coaches, players and spectators, it is hoped that the U18 match official armbands will help foster an understanding that these dedicated individuals are both developing their skills whilst providing an invaluable service to their local football community. Specsavers believes this simple, yet effective approach from the Scottish FA will help fundamentally shift attitudes towards young match officials across the country.

Willie Collum, Scottish FA Head of Refereeing, says: ‘Grassroots football is built on passion, development, and community – and that includes the young referees who help the game run smoothly across Scotland every day of the week.

‘The armband is a simple but powerful reminder that our youngest officials deserve encouragement, not criticism, as they grow in confidence and ability, and we are pleased that Specsavers shares that vision, by ensuring every match official under the age of 18 can wear their armband with pride.’

Beyond the armbands, the campaign will look to introduce a comprehensive framework of protective measures, designed to create a safer environment for young officials. Key changes include restricting referee communication to team captains only, establishing mandatory technical areas for team officials, requiring spectators to maintain a two-metre distance from the pitch, and appointing dedicated Referee Liaison Officers or wellbeing officers at matches to provide immediate support for young officials, as well as monitoring behaviour.

With the campaign set to kick off shortly to tie in with the start of the new football season, young officials across the country are expressing their optimism about the potential impact of these measures.

One referee, Jasiu Janowiec, who currently officiates in the Lowland and East of Scotland Leagues, believes the campaign will have a positive impact for grassroots football in Scotland.

The 18-year-old, from Falkirk, said: ‘I got into refereeing at 16 to earn money at weekends whilst being able to be involved in football. What started as a part-time job quickly became much more when I realised the incredible opportunities it offers.

“Through refereeing, I’ve experienced higher levels of football than I ever would have as a player – travelling to different grounds, meeting great people, and building genuine friendships with other young officials in my area.

‘The armbands are brilliant because they’ll show parents and coaches that the person with the whistle could be the same age as their own child. You wouldn’t shout at your child on the pitch, so why do it to a young referee?

“Unfortunately, fear of abuse puts many young people off refereeing, but this campaign demonstrates there’s real commitment to protecting us. It creates a safe pathway for anyone aged 16 or over to get involved in something that offers fantastic progression opportunities and keeps you at the heart of the game you love.’

For Specsavers, supporting the #LetThemRef campaign represents a natural extension of the company’s commitment to supporting Scottish football. By sponsoring the U18 Referee Armbands, Specsavers is investing in the future of the game whilst demonstrating that respect, protection and opportunity should be fundamental principles for all young people involved in football, whether as players or officials.

Specsavers’ Jenny Stephenson, Scottish Divisional Chair, says: ‘As the Official Eye and Ear Care Partner of the Scottish FA, Specsavers is committed to supporting the U18 Armband initiative as part of our broader support for match officials at every level.

‘At Specsavers, we recognise that referees are fundamental to football – without them, there simply is no game. So, by investing in the protection and development of young officials today, we’re helping to secure the future pipeline of experienced referees that our sport depends upon.

‘These young people deserve our respect and encouragement as they learn their craft, and we’re honoured to help create an environment where they can thrive with confidence.’

Specsavers announced in 2024 that it was renewing its’ sponsorship deal, becoming the Official Eye and Ear Care Partner of the Scottish FA, marking 24 years of support and beyond for the partnership – one of the longest agreements of its kind in sport. 

The deal sees the partnership not only helping with the training and development of referees but also supporting the growth of Scottish football in both the men’s and women’s game.

Scottish children’s Wonders of the World revealed for the first time – from Sunflowers and Seashells to Caterpillars and Diggers

  • Sunflowers, seashells and caterpillars are ranked the top ‘wonders of the world’ according to Scottish children.
  • But around 1 in 5 children under the age of 10 in Scotland have sight conditions that can get in the way of all that wonder.
  • Specsavers launch museum-style exhibit in Edinburgh showcasing these everyday wonders to highlight the importance of childhood eye checks.

FOR ADULTS, there are seven wonders of the world, but in children’s eyes, there are seven million. Sunflowers (60%), seashells (54%) and rocks (40%) top the list of Scottish children’s ‘wonders of the world’ according to a new study.

Other everyday wonders which stop Scots children in their tracks include caterpillars (37%), puddles (29%), and diggers (9%).

To highlight just how crucial good eyesight is for children to experience all this wonder, Specsavers has created a Wonders film and launched museum-style exhibits across the UK.

Each installation in Edinburgh, London, Manchester, Belfast and Cardiff features a ‘wonder’ chosen by a local child.

These include a life-sized digger, a perfectly imperfect rock, a carefully collected seashell, a curly caterpillar and a colourful sunflower.

The first Children’s ‘Wonders of the World’ exhibitions celebrate children’s natural curiosity and remind parents how important good eyesight is for kids to keep exploring the everyday wonders around them.

“Children see the world in a way adults often forget – full of magic, mystery and wonder,” says Professor Sam Wass, a child psychologist and neuroscientist.

“Good vision is essential to this journey of discovery. It helps children explore, ask questions and learn through play, all of which are essential to children’s development.”

Research among over 380 six and seven-year-olds reveals the places where children are most likely to spot their top wonders – with the beach (71%), the garden (44%), the park (29%) and even the journey to school (41%) ranking highest.

More than a quarter(26%) of the 600 parents surveyed said this happens on average five times a day, totalling 1,825 moments of wonder per year. Nearly a quarter (24%) report often being late because their child is busy inspecting an object. That’s 156 million times annually that parents are delayed because of their children discovering wonders.

Nonetheless, over two thirds (70%) of parents said they would be concerned if their child stopped pointing out these everyday wonders.

As a result, a quarter (25%) said this would be among the reasons they would book an eye test for their child, as well as if they were struggling to read or write (43%) or rubbing their eyes frequently (38%).

Sarah Joyce, Director of Optometry at Specsavers, says: “Being able to see clearly is vital to children as they learn about the world – around 80% of learning in school is visual.

“But around one in five children under the age of 10 have sight conditions that can get in the way of all that wonder[1].

“Conditions such as long- or short-sightedness, astigmatism or a squint can often be treated more effectively if they are picked up early, so regular eye tests from the age of around four are essential or sooner if you think they are having any problems.

“The great news is, for children under 16, the NHS will cover the full cost of the eye test.”

To find out more or to book an eye check for your child visit: 

www.specsavers.co.uk/eye-test/childrens-eye-test

Time poor Scots too busy to maintain health, according to new research

  • Most common missed health checks include eye appointments, dental exams and GP visits.
  • Most cite work commitments, difficulties getting an appointment and simply forgetting to book a check-up reasons why.
  • An expert is urging Scots not to put health on the back burner: “Not all conditions have obvious symptoms.”
Cameron Optometry St Vincent Street.

More than a quarter (27%) Scots are often too busy to stay on top of their health and almost half (46%) have missed or delayed a health appointment, according to new research.

Dental exams (17%), eye checks (16%) and GP visits (19%) were the most missed or delayed appointments, with ‘work commitments’ as the most cited reason why (38%). Others referenced difficulty getting an appointment (37%) or simply forgetting to book one (24%).

Now an expert is urging the public not to put health on the back burner.

Giles Edmonds, Clinical Services Director at Specsavers, commented: “When life gets hectic, it’s all too easy to push check-ups to the bottom of your list, but your health should never be ignored, including your eyesight.

“Not all conditions have obvious symptoms, so seeing the optician or dentist only when you’re experiencing changes won’t enable these to be identified and treated early.

“Glaucoma, for example, can develop slowly over time without any obvious symptoms, meaning many people don’t realise there’s a problem until irreversible damage to their vision has already been done.  

“That’s why regular eye checks are so important – they’re not just about checking your vision; they’re a vital part of catching conditions like glaucoma early.” 

Despite glaucoma being one of the most common eye conditions, people know little about the condition. More than half (51%) vaguely knew the signs and symptoms, while over a quarter (27%) knew almost nothing about the condition at all.

The research, commissioned by Specsavers, also revealed that almost two-thirds have a health problem they’ve not yet checked out – including mobility or joint pain (19%), weight or fitness levels (19%) and dental health (16%).

Despite this, more than one in ten (13%) haven’t had a dental exam and or eye check (11%) in over five years, while 7% of those surveyed have never had one.

The research also uncovered other areas adults skip over because they’ve been short of time, which included drinking enough water (33%) and getting a full night’s sleep (32%).

Of those who don’t prioritise their own health, over a third (39%) admit putting their work or job commitments first, while a third (33%) say put their family’s health needs first.

Nearly half (42%) say easier booking systems would help them make their health more of a priority, while a further 32% are simply wishing for ‘more hours in the day’.

Giles Edmonds added: “It’s easy to let health checks slide when you’re juggling a busy schedule, but looking after your eyesight is something you simply can’t afford to ignore.  

“A quick and simple eye check every couple of years – or more often if you’re at higher risk – could protect you from serious long-term consequences such as avoidable vision loss.  

“Your vision is one of your most precious senses, and it deserves your attention.” 

To book an eye check, visit www.specsavers.co.uk.  

Pitch Perfect: Specsavers partner with Scotland Internationals to launch Specsavers Best Worst Pitch

New Initiative to Breathe New Life into Underfunded Grassroots Football Pitches across Scotland

  • The Best Worst Pitch initiative will provide line painting and pitch maintenance equipment, as well as maintenance training to 50 grassroots clubs across the UK
  • The initiative addresses the lack of funding dedicated to pitch maintenance, which the brand has experienced during the Best Worst Team campaign
  • By helping make the pitch lines visible again, the initiative celebrates the volunteers who make grassroots football not only possible but playable—reinforcing Specsavers’ commitment to supporting the grassroots football community and the vital role clear vision plays both on and off the pitch.

Specsavers has partnered with Scottish international stars, Kirsty Smith and Erin Cuthbert to launch the Best Worst Pitch initiative.

Open to clubs across the UK, the initiative will provide 50 teams who are most in need with professional line painting equipment and GPS pitch mapping, pitch maintenance equipment, as well as maintenance training to help them maintain their pitches through the next season and beyond.

Clear and accurate line markings are vital not just for ensuring structure and fairness in the game, but also for helping players and officials navigate the pitch-enhancing visibility, spatial awareness, and overall safety throughout play.

Kirsty Smith added: “Grassroots football is the heart and soul of the game. It’s important that we back the communities and dedicated volunteers who keep it running.

“I remember how tough it was playing on a rough pitch, but it didn’t hold me back, it just made me realise how important these pitches are.

This is a campaign I’m really proud of – The Best Worst Pitch initiative will ensure that pitches are in the best condition possible so that everyone can enjoy using them.”

The announcement comes as UK football governing bodies have recently highlighted that maintaining grassroots pitches across the UK is one of the main issues facing the sport.

With councils stretched for funding, the responsibility for maintaining club pitches, often falls on dedicated members of the grassroots football community.

It’s a challenge Specsavers has seen up close, having renewed its’ sponsorship deal with the Scottish FA, to become the Official Eye and Ear Care Partner.

The deal will see the 24-year partnership continue for the rest of the season as Specsavers strives to support the growth of Scottish football in both the men’s and women’s game.

Erin Cuthbert added: “I called my papa “Net Man”. He’s no longer with us but he was always there, two hours early putting the nets up and sorting the pitch out.

“It’s little efforts like that that keep grassroots football alive. It’s absolutely vital that we get it right at this level so that young players can improve and have a better chance of succeeding in the sport.”

Specsavers have also documented the difficulties of grassroots teams through the Best Worst Team campaign—highlighting the real struggles faced at pitch level and further underlining the brand’s long-standing commitment to supporting the grassroots football community.

Speaking about the struggles of pitch maintenance, Chairman of current Specsavers Best Worst Team, Tunley Athletic, Craig Doughty said: “It’s a real slog sometimes – every week, rain or shine, I’m out there doing two full laps of the pitch just to get the lines marked.

“The equipment we’ve got is ancient—it clogs, it leaks, and it takes twice as long as it should. On dark evenings or when the wind’s howling, it feels like it takes forever. But I do it because I love this club—it means everything to the community.”

In addition to providing equipment, Specsavers is also offering training and education to the selected clubs—aiming to tackle some of the long-term challenges faced by grassroots teams and the volunteers who maintain their pitches.

The ultimate goal is to improve the quality and longevity of these pitches, ensuring local communities can continue to enjoy them for many matches to come.

Kim Bull, PR and Social Lead, commented: “Over the last two seasons supporting clubs that need a bit of help with their eyes and ears, as well as their game, we’ve noticed the effort that goes into keeping grassroots clubs running.

“People like Craig, who quietly put in the hard work behind the scenes to keep pitches playable, is what grassroots football is all about.

“This initiative means we can support more clubs and communities, like Tunley.

“By making faded lines more visible, we’re helping players to see the beautiful game more clearly. And hopefully make fewer mistakes!”

To have a chance of being part of the Best Worst Pitch initiative and help improve the quality of your local club’s football pitch, apply online here.

Specsavers Home Visits team in Edinburgh take action to support customers with dementia

TO coincide with Dementia Action Week (May 19 – 25), the Specsavers Home Visits team in Edinburgh has taken vital steps to support its customers living with dementia.

The full team has recently become qualified Dementia Friends, after completing a training course to professionally care for the eye health and hear care of customers who have the condition.

The Specsavers Home Visits team provides care to customers who, due to a multitude of reasons, are unable to pay a visit to a high street store to receive eye health and hearing services.

Lynne Seebaluck, director at Specsavers Home Visits that covers Edinburgh, the Lothians and the Scottish Borders, said: “By becoming Dementia Friends, our team feels more confident to ensure any customers living with dementia feel safe and are looked after in a sensitive way.

“We’re always keen to go the extra mile and support our local community, especially as we’re out visiting those directly in it.”

For more information about the Specsavers Home Visits team, visit:

https://www.specsavers.co.uk/home-eye-tests/request-a-free-home-visit 

or call 0808 239 4492 to book a home visit.

Specsavers research reveals Tartan Army’s Hampden Roar is as loud as a jet plane – even in defeat

The Tartan Army’s ‘Hampden Roar’ is as loud as a jet plane on match day, new research from Specsavers revealed.

As the Official Eye and Ear Care Partner of the Scottish FA, Specsavers recently put the decibel level of the famous Hampden Roar to the test.

The passionate Scotland home support has had some memorable moments down the years, leading to its reputation for having some of the best and loudest matchday atmospheres in the world.

Notably, Leigh Griffiths’ two free-kicks against England back in 2017, Gary Caldwell’s winner against France in 2006 and more recent dins as Scotland have made it to back-to-back European Championships are famous and revered throughout Scottish culture.

Looking to capture some of that magic, audio experts took in the Nations League play-off second leg against Greece at Hampden Park last weekend.

Scotland went down 3-0 to Greece on the night, nevertheless, the Glasgow crowd did their best to cheer Steve Clarke’s team on as, throughout the evening, they maintained an average decibel level of 90dB – which is the equivalent of an electric drill.

The atmosphere at the national stadium built up nicely ahead of the match as the Tartan Army reached 100dB when crowd-favourite Scott McTominay’s name was read out over the loudspeaker – a cacophony akin to a jackhammer for the popular midfielder.

It was crackling inside Hampden Park as the teams came out, reaching ambulance siren levels of 115dB, while the noise peaked for the national anthem – Flower of Scotland – as boisterous Scottish lungs soared to jet engine levels of 121dB.

Early first-half chances kept the racket steadily above 100dB, before dipping to between 70 and 90db in the second period as Greece headed towards victory.

Jenny Stephenson, Divisional Chair for Scotland, said: ‘Hearing loss affects people of all ages and, unfortunately, the longer we leave hearing issues, the worse they can become. That’s why it is so important to look after your hearing and have regular hearing checks.

‘Not only is it good for your health, it means you’ll be able to hear our famous Scottish symphonies loud and clear at matches.’

As the Official Eye and Ear Care Partner of the Scottish FA, Specsavers is here to change lives through better sight and hearing, by making expert care accessible and affordable for all.

Its hearing experts provide comprehensive free hearing checks in stores across the country and can help you find the right hearing device to suit your needs and lifestyle.

Visit www.specsavers.co.uk or go in store to book an appointment with one of our hearing experts.

Scotland hero Colin Hendry kicks off second season of Specsavers- sponsored Football Memories referee tour

PARTICIPANTS of Football Memories groups across Scotland will once again get the chance to hear from former referees as their whistle-stop tour of the country, courtesy of Specsavers, kicked off with a special guest in Elgin on Wednesday (11th December).

For the second season in a row, the Official Eye and Ear Care Partner of the Scottish FA has facilitated for retired refs to speak to participants of Football Memories, a project which assists people living with memory loss conditions, including dementia and Alzheimer’s, as well as those experiencing loneliness and social isolation.

The special tour got under way at Borough Briggs, home to Elgin City Football Club, where ex-whistler Bill Machray got proceedings under way, with special guest and former Scotland captain, Colin Hendry in attendance.

With more than 1,000 matches between them, both Colin and Bill regaled attendees with stories from their illustrious careers, as well as showcasing some of the keepsakes and paraphernalia they have collected from games they had been involved in across the country and abroad over their combined 40 years in the sport.

Bill, who was a category two official and now works as a referee observer with the Scottish FA, refereed hundreds of matches in Scotland. He, largely, officiated in the Highland League, around the same time Elgin City were in the division, but also ran the line in a couple of Scottish Cup Finals.

Colin Hendry, who grew up close to Elgin’s stadium in Keith, had an illustrious career for the likes of Blackburn Rovers, Rangers and Scotland, winning the English Premier League, Scottish Cup and 51 caps among many other top honours.

Colin says: ‘It was a privilege to speak to those gathered at the Elgin Football Memories group as Specsavers kicked off its fantastic initiative once again.

‘Schemes like these are brilliant for the older and more isolated community across Moray, raising awareness of memory loss conditions and providing people with a space to have a cup of tea and chat football.

‘My own mother still lives in the area and it’s groups like Football Memories which often keep people of her generation active and purposeful in the community.’

With the Elgin visit a resounding success, the next port of call on the tour is Perth in January, followed by Dumfries in February.

Established in 2009, Football Memories Scotland is a charitable project run by the Scottish Football Museum in partnership with Alzheimer Scotland.

With more than 600 groups around the country, often hosted in football settings, Football Memories uses engaging football-themed resources stored in a memory box, such as reminiscence cards, life-size player cutouts, newspaper clippings and books, to stir memories and discussions led by volunteers.

Specsavers will sponsor the boxes for the referee tour and have helped to provide some exciting new memorabilia for them such as old football boots, photographs of former referees and other essential equipment required to help run the groups.

Long-term memories can be triggered for many through the visual cues of images, videos, artefacts and discussions taking place in a small group or even a one-to-one setting, unlocking precious happy moments from the past. The impact can be enormous.

Robert Craig, Chair of the Scottish Football Museum, says: ‘We are excited to get under way once again with the first referee visit of the season in our renewed partnership with Specsavers.

“Their continued support to the Football Memories project, which impacts the lives of all who touch it, is invaluable and helps us to carry on delivering for those living with memory loss conditions or experiencing isolation.

‘Our Elgin group is a great example of the benefits Football Memories can bring to the people, and I’m sure the attendees will have taken a lot from their morning with Bill Machray and local hero, Colin Hendry.’

Willie Collum, Scottish FA Head of Referee Operations, says: ‘The success of Football Memories is plain to see, and this fantastic initiative – now into its second season – is one that our roster of former referees is proud to support, as an extension to our existing partnership with Specsavers.’

Specsavers’ Jenny Stephenson, Scottish Divisional Chair, says: ‘Specsavers is proud to not only be the Official Eye and Ear Care Partner of the Scottish FA, but to also help raise awareness of the vital work Football Memories does in assisting people living with memory loss conditions within local communities across Scotland.’

Specsavers announced in 2024 that it was renewing its’ sponsorship deal, becoming the Official Eye and Ear Care Partner of the Scottish FA, marking 24 years of support and beyond for the partnership – one of the longest agreements of its kind in sport. 

The deal will see the partnership continue into 2025, not only helping with the training and development of referees, but also raising awareness of para and grassroots football in Scotland.

Double-take as Specsavers showcases the art of optometry

Scottish shoppers did a double take this week as a pop-up art exhibition turned out to be more than meets the eye.

The images – which, from a distance, could be mistaken for abstract art – turned out to be sophisticated scans of the inside of the eye.

Specsavers unveiled the display at Princes Square in Glasgow during National Eye Health Week, to demonstrate the importance of checking your eye health and to showcase the technology that  is allowsing early detection of sight-threatening conditions.

The pictures were OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) scans – advanced eye scans which can help to identify serious conditions, such as glaucoma, up to four years earlier than traditional methods.

Jennifer Stephenson, Chair of Specsavers Scotland, says: ‘We were inspired to showcase these images after a customer had his first OCT scan and made an off-the-cuff remark about it resembling an abstract artwork.

‘While it made us laugh, it also prompted us to put some images on public display to raise awareness of OCT, demonstrate the incredible technology we have at our disposal today and the ways in which it is helping us to make important diagnoses.’

OCT scans are separate to eye tests – they take just a few seconds and the 3D images produced show what’s going on beneath the surface of the eye.  Opticians can examine all the layers inside the eye to get an even clearer idea of your eye health.

Each image on display in Glasgow showed a different eye condition, explained the tell-tale signs of those conditions in the scans, and gave information on symptoms and treatments. 

The images were supplied by Birmingham Optical, an exclusive supplier of NIDEK OCT machines for the UK optical industry.

To find out more about OCT visit: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) Scan | Specsavers UK