The award winning Allegro Optical opticians, recognised within the industry for their specialism in helping musicians, is set to host an innovative networking and knowledge exchange event in partnership with the Department of Music at the University of York.

'The Musician's Optician' is based in the heart of brass banding country with branches in Holmfirth, Greenfield and Marsden, but has gained a worldwide reputation with musicians of any genre for their expertise and excellence.

Visual Health in Performing Arts

The 'Visual Health in the Performing Arts' is a free event to be held on Thursday 7th July (9.30am to 4.00pm) at the Rymer Auditorium, part of the Department of Music at the University of York (YO10 5DD)

Dr Naomi Norton is working with Allegro Optical and the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) to host this special event bringing together performing artists, clinicians, medical device manufacturers, and organisations involved in promoting performing artists' health and wellness.

Eye care needs

Speaking about the initiative, Allegro Optical Managing Director Sheryl Doe Bsc FBDO, told 4BR: "Performing artists have specific eye-care needs: for example, they must be able to read detailed musical scores, change focus between near and far sight, and have a good sense of spatial awareness.

By bringing clinical and industry stakeholders in eye care together with performing artists and organisations, this event will raise awareness of artists' needs, what industry can do to support them, and what those within the performing arts can do to prevent vision problems and support those affected by them."

Performing artists have specific eye-care needs: for example, they must be able to read detailed musical scores, change focus between near and far sight, and have a good sense of spatial awarenessSheryl Doe

Discussions

4BR was informed that the event will involve an opportunity for delegates to take part in inter-disciplinary collaborative discussions as well as contributing to the development of a 'visual health in the performing arts' survey and BAPAM factsheet.

Free to book

This free event is funded by the University of York Place and Community Fund. Refreshments at lunch are provided for delegates.

Places are limited so please book early and let us know if your plans change.

To find out more please email: naomi.norton@york.ac.uk or to register please use the following link: https://forms.gle/QMKcUZ5WmyhXeFN58