Matthew visited Boots Opticians in Colindale 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. 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.
Commenting on his visit, Matthew said:
“The issue of eye health is very important to me as I know that regular eye checks not only save sight but can also lead to diagnoses of life-threatening conditions. As such opticians play an important role within the Health Service and my visit enabled me to understand better the value of community optometrists and opticians.
"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."
Vice-Chair of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Local Optical Committee (BEHLOC) David Burns, explained the health benefits of regular eye tests:
“An appointment with the optometrist or optician is not just a check to see whether you would benefit from glasses, but is also a means of ensuring your eyes remain healthy. It can 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 reduction of sight can be prevented if they are detected early enough.”
Commenting on his visit, Matthew said:“The issue of eye health is very important to me as I know that regular eye checks not only save sight but can also lead to diagnoses of life-threatening conditions. As such opticians play an important role within the Health Service and my visit enabled me to understand better the value of community ophthalmologists.”
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.
Vice-Chair of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Local Optical Committee (BEHLOC) David Burns, explained the health benefits of regular eye tests:
“An appointment with the optometrist or optician is not just a check to see whether you would benefit from glasses, but is also a means of ensuring your eyes remain healthy. It can 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 reduction of sight can be prevented if they are detected early enough.”