Scottish landmarks will be used to highlight value of healthy eyes

The landmarks are pictured on a series of specially produced coasters as seen through the eyes of someone with a common sight loss condition. The coasters have been produced by the charity RNIB Scotland to mark National Eye Health Week which starts today.

The charity is distributing these to selected pubs and cafes throughout the country with a message urging everyone to go for regular eye examinations, which are free in Scotland, at local optometrists.

Images on the coasters in the series feature Edinburgh Castle (as seen through age-related macular degeneration), the Callanish Stones in the Western Isles (as seen through diabetic retinopathy) the Dundee Victoria and Albert Museum (as seen through glaucoma) and Buchanan Street in Glasgow (as seen through cataracts).

Cate Vallis, campaigns officer for RNIB Scotland, said: "With many sight loss conditions, damage to vision can be arrested or even reversed if the symptoms are detected early enough. Glaucoma, for example, can usually be successfully treated. That's why it's so very important that people do get their eyes examined every two years.

"Our coasters are just one way of getting this message out to more people. The distorted images of the Scottish landmarks will hopefully make them think a little more about what we might miss if we lose our sight."

Both RNIB Scotland and V&A Dundee benefit from the support of the People's Postcode Lottery, which has welcomed today's joint event. Hazel Johnstone, senior programmes manager, said: "I am so pleased that funding raised by players of People's Postcode Lottery is supporting the important work that both charities do, and it's fantastic to see them working together during National Eye Health Week to highlight the importance of people having regular eye checks."