Hundreds putting their sight at risk
HUNDREDS of people in Scarborough could be putting their sight at risk by failing to have regular sight tests.
Despite 85 per cent of us admitting we have problems with our vision, many of us are put off having a sight test because of worries about money – even though more than 30 million people in the UK are entitled to free eye care paid for by the NHS and many more are entitled to free eye care paid for by their employer.
National sight charity the Eyecare Trust and Boots Opticians, have joined forces during National Eye Week to raise public awareness of entitlements to eye care on the NHS and the frightening consequences of neglecting your sight.
Iain Anderson, chairman of the Eyecare Trust said: "Sight loss already costs the British economy 5.5 billion a year and with official estimates predicting that the number of people registered blind will double by 2030, it's vital that we encourage more people have regular sight tests – generally once every two years unless advised otherwise by your optometrist.
"Worryingly our study highlights how it's the sectors of society – children and pensioners – that are most vulnerable to sight loss who are failing to get their sight tested and paradoxically these are the very people who are most likely to be entitled to NHS eye care."
The charity estimates that one in five children has an undetected problem with their vision yet, 50 per cent of parents with children aged eight or under have never taken their offspring for a sight test.
David Cartwright, director of professional services at Boots Opticians said: "As a child's eyesight is usually fully developed by the age of eight, it is crucial that eye tests are carried out at least once a year from the age of three.
"Sight tests for all children in Britain are free on the NHS – the only investment parents have to make is time.
"Conditions such as squint or amblyopia (lazy eye) can lead to lifelong problems so it really is a case of "After eight is too late. If detected early, many problems can be easily corrected, usually with glasses.
Passive pensioners are another "at risk" group. Four million OAPs miss out on free NHS sight tests every year and yet, a quarter of over 60s say the quality of their vision restricts their daily routine.
Regular sight tests are vital for the early diagnosis and successful treatment of a range of common eye conditions including age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma.
They also provide an essential general health check uncovering a number of other underlying health problems such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and an increased risk of stroke.
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Weather for Scarborough
Thursday 24 May 2012
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