Key issues
Children
- Good eyesight is crucial to ensure a child develops at school and socially to the best of their ability
- All children are entitled to a free annual NHS sight test
- Regular eye tests are important to check for the early signs of eye disease, which if left untreated, could lead to blindness
- Many eye conditions do not display any symptoms so its important for children to have regular eye tests
- The eye is still developing up until the age of 7 so if problems are treated early it can make a life-lasting difference
- Children with a family history of eye problems are more at risk of developing squint and lazy eye
Older people
- Anyone aged 60 and over is entitled to a free NHS sight test
- Those who are housebound due to a physical or mental disability may be entitled to a free NHS domiciliary eye test in their own home or residential home
- Good eyesight is crucial to maintain independence, improve quality of life and reduce the risk of falls
- Older people are more at risk from glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts
- Regular eye tests are the best way to ensure any problems are picked up early and treated
- Other health problems such as high blood pressure could also be detected in an eye test
Drivers
- Driving with poor eyesight is an offence which could result in a fine of up to £1,000.
- Although drivers have their eyesight checked as part of the driving test this is only a basic distance test and it is not checked again until the driver is 70
- Regular eye tests are crucial to ensure all drivers can see clearly and are not putting themselves and others at risk
Reducing avoidable sight loss
- According to research from the RNIB over two million people in the are at risk of losing their sight
- Regular eye tests are the simplest way to reduce the high number of people needlessly losing their sight
- Preventing blindness also reduces the financial burden of providing rehabilitation and support to those with serious visual impairment
Latest Press Releases
- Optical sector responds to NHS Next Stage review – Our Vision for Primary and Secondary care
- NHS must have greater partnership with optical profession to reduce avoidable sight loss in the UK
- Sight is the sense 9 out of 10 people fear losing the most
- SURVEY REVEALS NATION'S FEAR OF SIGHT LOSS
- Setting the direction for eye health and sight loss services
- Eye Health Alliance appointed as Vice-Chair of the Health Hotel
- Unnecessary Sight Loss Causes Falls in Older People
- Eye Health Alliance and IGA join forces to promote regular eye tests
- New paper demands access to domiciliary eye care for all who need it
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