Matthew has visited Opticians Ophthalmic to find out why regular eye tests are so important in preventing blindness.
1.8 million people in the UK are living with sight loss and this figure is set to increase by 115% to nearly 4 million people by 2050, largely due to the ageing population (i). Much of this is preventable through the early detection and treatment of eye problems. Regular eye tests are a simple and practical way to maintain good eye health and look after your eyes. An eye test can also pick up other health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes so they are an important health check for everyone. Many eye conditions such as glaucoma are treatable and in many cases sight loss can be prevented if they are detected early enough.
Commenting on his visit, Matthew said:
“Like many of my constituents, I suffer from poor eyesight and eye health. Therefore it is vital for all of us to ensure regular examinations so that degenerative conditions can be diagnosed before they pose a risk of sight loss. As a consequence of my visit I shall be pressing the Government to recognise that opticians undertake examinations that are not part of the sight test itself. These tests are an additional cost burden for the optician but result in faster and more accurate clinical outcomes when patients are referred to secondary health providers, such as Moorfields Hospital. I will also be seeking that when Clinical Commissioning Groups are established in April they recognise this work and its importance and do not attempt to make cuts in the ocular element of their budgets which could result in a postcode lottery of service across London.”
Many groups of people are entitled to free NHS sight tests. These include those aged 60 and over, all children under 16 and those on low incomes. Optical practices are convenient and offer easy access in the local community. You can visit any practice that is either near where you live or where you work. Optical practices can see NHS patients at times that suit them.
i) Access Economics, ‘The Future Sight Loss UK.’ 2009. This research was commissioned by the RNIB. The report is available to download here: http://www.vision2020uk.org.uk/ukvisionstrategy/page.asp?section=74
Photo: Matthew in the practice consulting room with Malcolm Redfearn, Grafton Optical Company