Care homes accused of neglecting eye health

A lack of national policy has resulted in eye health being neglected in care homes for the elderly, according to a report.

Findings by think tank International Longevity Centre UK and sight loss charity Thomas Pocklington Trust showed tests were not consistently available to all residents and often not taken up where offered.

Undetected Sight Loss in Care Homes: an Evidence Review also found inadequate follow-on support including ensuring spectacles were clean and up to date.

There is currently no standard requirement for care homes to ensure appropriate eye health care and sight tests for all residents, stressed the report, despite half of 400,000 care home residents estimated to have some form of often treatable sight loss.