The Vision of Britain report, commissioned by Optegra Eye Health Care, shows an alarming percentage of Britain’s eye problems are left too late to treat, leaving 9.8 million of us living in fear of losing our sight.
A new study[i] reveals 15% of Brits risk losing their eyesight by not having regular eye tests.
The study of 2,000 people revealed:
- 50% of first time patients need vision correction
- one in ten (9%) require glasses or treatment, despite thinking their eyesight was fine
- 24% shy away from an eye test in fear of having to wear glasses
- 1 in 4 mistakenly believe wearing glasses will make their eyesight worse
Despite shying away from regular eye tests the report showed a whopping 82% of British adults desire 20:20 perfect vision, with 60% admitting they value their eyesight above any other sense.
To help achieve perfect vision, eye health specialist Optegra Eye Health Care is launching a new 20 page report full of advice on day to day eye care, from identifying vision problems in children, myth-busting, to the latest medical advances to treat eye conditions. The report is available free at optegra.com/visionofbritain.
Dr Clare O’Donnell, Head of Optegra Eye Sciences and registered optometrist, commented: “Without regular eye examinations, problems are being left undiagnosed and untreated which can lead to serious vision damage.
“It is vital for everyone to have regular eye checks, even if they suspect nothing is wrong with their eye sight. By giving up just 20-30 minutes of your time once every two years, you can potentially save your vision.”
One such condition that is often detected late – yet remains one of the most treatable once diagnosed – is cataract-. This is the leading cause of blindness worldwide, affecting an estimated 20 million. Less obvious conditions include age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma – which if left undiagnosed and untreated can dramatically increase the chance of permanent blindness.
Mr. Robert Morris, Consultant Eye Surgeon and Medical Director at Optegra Eye Health Care, says: “There are serious eye conditions such as a retinal tear that a patient could easily have no idea they are living with – but which do need to have immediate, emergency surgery. If left too late many conditions can only be treated to keep the condition under control, rather than attempt to cure it.”
Dr O’Donnell concludes: “Every day 100 people in the UK start to lose their sight and two million people live with significant sight loss. Vision is such a precious sense, a simple, regular eye test can prevent eye diseases and future worry, missing out simply isn’t worth the risk.”
With over 20 years’ clinical and academic experience, Dr O’Donnell is a registered optometrist, Reader at Aston University and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester in addition to her position as Head of Eye Sciences at Optegra Eye Health.
From vision correction options (laser eye surgery and lens replacement) through to medical treatments for conditions such as cataracts, AMD, floaters, retinal tears, glaucoma, Optegra eye hospitals provide consultant-led treatments for the A to Z of eye health care.
For more information please visit www.optegra.com/visionofbritain
About Optegra Eye Health Care
Optegra Eye Health Care is a specialist provider of ophthalmic services in the UK, China, Czech Republic, Poland and Germany. Optegra operates 23 eye hospitals and clinics and brings together leading edge research and medical expertise, state-of-the-art surgical equipment and top ophthalmic surgeons renowned for their areas of expertise to offer excellent clinical outcomes in laser vision correction, refractive lens exchange (Clarivu™), cataract removal, AMD, vitreoretinal and oculoplastics procedures all carried out in five-star patient facilities.
Clarivu is the Optegra Eye Health Care brand name for its individually tailored, consultant-led vision correction (or Refractive Lens Exchange – RLE) package. The package includes all diagnostic eye assessments, an advanced technology intraocular lens (IOL) specially selected for the lifestyle and visual goals of the patient, the procedure undertaken in an Optegra eye hospital and post-operative care. In addition, the Clarivu package includes any further top up laser surgery that may be required in order to meet the stated visual goals of the patient.
Optegra Eye Health Care is committed to the development of eye sciences and championing the latest innovations in vision correction through its dedicated Eye Sciences Division. Optegra achieves this by partnering with leading UK universities in the research and development of the next generation of ophthalmic services and technologies.
In addition, its Professional Partnership Programme of education and development with optometrists and opticians ensures the very best medical treatments are available to all.
To maintain Optegra’s five star standard of patient care and safety, its specialist eye hospitals draw on the expertise of its Medical Advisory Committees (MAC), headed by consultant level ophthalmic surgeons who all report into the corporate MAC. This is managed by Medical Director, Mr Robert Morris, the renowned refractive expert who advises on Optegra’s policies and procedures.
Optegra Eye Health Care operates seven dedicated eye hospitals based in Birmingham, Central London, Hampshire, Manchester, North London, Surrey and Yorkshire. For more information please visit www.optegra.com
[i] Optegra Eye Health Care commissioned independent research with Censuswide. The online research took place in January 2017 with 2,009 UK adults aged over 16 and 101 GPs and optometrists.
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