Sparshatts supplies RHA and Vision Express with Mercedes-Benz Actros

Mercedes-Benz dealer Sparshatts has provided the RHA and Vision Express with a brand new 2548 Actros tractor unit, which will travel the country pulling a mobile eye test unit.

The eye test trailer, designed and built by Cartwright Conversions, is offering free eye tests around the UK this week in aid of World Glaucoma Week.

The RHA said it was "delighted" to be associated with the project and that too many professional drivers are nervous to approach an optician with poor eyesight in case it jeopardises their career.

Chief executive Richard Burnett said: "Good eyesight is vital for any road user but for an HGV driver, their livelihood depends on it. Despite this, there are still far too many drivers who ignore any weakness in their vision, weakness that may well be because of glaucoma.

“Although easy to diagnose, many drivers are nervous of making the initial approach to an optician. The Vision Van will play a vital role in conveying the message that good eye health will actually prolong a driver’s working life.”

Glaucoma is of concern to the industry and the wider public because the number of cases in the UK is expected to grow by 85% by 2050.

Vision Express CEO Jonathan Lawson said: "We know mobile health screening works - the NHS recently reported that stationing mobile screening units in convenient locations such as supermarkets, has prompted a four-fold increase in cancer detection rates, and we want to replicate that kind of success for sight-stealing conditions.”

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