News

Awareness of eye health risk factors such as UV and taking certain medications remains extremely low according to Transition Optical's second annual Global Healthy Sight Survey.

Announced at a press conference on May 9 at Mido in Milan, the results showed only marginal improvement over responses in the 2007 survey.

'Sadly the research is showing we haven't been communicating the message of preventative eye care loudly enough,' said Bette Zaret, senior vice president of global marketing at Transitions.

The survey interviewed more than 12,000 individuals from the USA, UK, Australia, France, Italy and China, and monitored shifts in awareness related to eye health risk factors such as ultraviolet radiation (UVR).

Among its key discoveries were that most people were unaware that extended exposure to UVR can cause vision problems or that many medications in common use can affect quality of vision and/or long-term eye health.

It also explored awareness of the impact of systemic disease - diabetes in particular - on eye health and vision performance. The UK findings revealed:

• While 72 per cent of UK respondents were aware that extended sun exposure caused skin problems, only 7 per cent were aware it caused vision problems this was in comparison to 5 per cent in the 2007 survey
• Only 19 per cent of UK respondents understood that medications such as oral contraceptives, antihistamines or antibiotics can affect vision
• 15 per cent of UK respondents knew that high blood pressure can strongly affect eyesight
• UK respondents (39 per cent) along with US respondents were most aware of vision problems as a side effect of diabetes
• Eight per cent of UK respondents knew that light sensitivity can be made worse by diabetes
• Of the UK respondents questioned, 35 per cent didn't have regular eye exams (at least once a year), while 45 per cent reported not wearing prescription on non-prescription sunglasses or photochromic lenses.

Providing exclusive eye care news, information and educational needs every week, including a FREE CET programme. Subscribe to Optician Print Edition.