Eye care patients have felt the effects of the cost of living crisis according to research that found 22% of Brits have postponed or cancelled a sight test in the past year due to cost concerns.
A survey of 2,003 adults commissioned by the College of Optometrists in May revealed 21% were concerned they would have to delay booking sight tests for themselves or their children until they knew they could afford any required vision correction.
The College of Optometrists urgently encouraged the public to consider their eye health as 50% of people said the cost of living will have an impact on how they care for their eyes in the future.
Furthermore, survey results found 21% had not had a sight test in five years or more.
Of those that did attend a sight test in the past five years, 51% were prescribed spectacles and 15% were either diagnosed with a wider eye or health condition or referred for further tests with a specialist.
The College identified there was low awareness about NHS-funded sight tests with only 50% of respondents aware that those under-16 are entitled to them and only 48% realised that sight tests were funded for those over 60.
Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu, optometrist and clinical adviser at the College of Optometrists, said: ‘It’s troubling to know that people’s vision and eye health may be impacted by the cost of living crisis, and I would urge anyone due a sight test or with any eye problems such as a change in vision to prioritise it where possible.
‘Having your sight tested does not have to be expensive. There are many groups of people who will be entitled to an NHS-funded sight test. We know that people are not aware of the government support available to them. Our research shows that only half of people are aware that children under the age of 16 are entitled to NHS-funded sight tests in the UK.
‘When it comes to your eye health, early detection of eye problems is very important, especially for children, where we have a small window of time to correct any issues. We urge parents particularly not to be put off by cost; even if your child does need glasses, they will be entitled to an optical voucher to help towards the cost.’
Allaying fears
Awareness of NHS sight test eligibility was noted by the College of Optometrists as an area that could be increased among patients.
Daniel Hardiman-McCartney, clinical adviser at the College, told Optician that optical practice teams could turn patients into eye health advocates.
‘Are their patients’ children, friends and relatives up to date with their eye care? Are relatives who cannot leave the home, or who may be affected by conditions such as dementia, aware they can still access eye care? We hope teachers, employers and other healthcare professionals will also be reminded of the NHS support available and can in turn advocate to children and people who may not currently be accessing regular eye care,’ he commented.
Hardiman-McCartney added that the College had a range of social media resources that highlighted the importance of the sight test and which groups were entitled to subsidised sight tests. College members were encouraged to use these tools to raise awareness.
‘The College is tackling this head on and has been speaking with the general media this week to dispel many myths related to the cost of accessing eye care and optical appliances across the UK,’ he said.
These myths included: the affordability of a sight test, which the College said it addressed by setting out all of the groups of people who are eligible to access NHS-funded sight tests; and that spectacles are expensive, on which it noted there was something for everyone at all price points.
Hardiman-McCartney highlighted that NHS vouchers were available to help towards the costs of children’s eyewear and that people who are in receipt of certain benefits were eligible for a funded sight test and help towards the cost of glasses.
‘Our survey highlights that the public think it may be OK to postpone their eye examination. We are using this campaign as an opportunity to talk about preventable causes of sight loss; asymptomatic conditions such as glaucoma and systemic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes that can be detected by optometrists.
‘We are also highlighting the vital importance of children seeing clearly for educational success, the critical period to detect amblyopia and the onset of myopia,’ he said.
The College hoped the campaign would drive both NHS and private eye examination activity at a time of year that was traditionally less busy and while consumer inflation remained high.
