College highlights strange reasons given for attending an eye exam

A research project conducted by the College of Optometrists among the public and practitioners has highlighted some of  the strange reason people give for electing to have an eye exam.

Over 2,000 people were surveyed on attitude towards eye care and the College reported that despite finding themselves in embarrassing and sometimes dangerous situations, over a third of those surveyed said that they put off visiting their optometrist for ‘months’ after noticing a deterioration in their vision.

Among the reasons cited were:

Dr Susan Blakeney, Clinical Adviser to the College of Optometrists, said: ‘Although these anecdotes may be extreme  examples, there is a serious message behind this. It is important to be aware of the health of your eyes, and to seek  professional advice early if you notice any changes to avoid these sorts of accidents. ‘We see too many people who leave  it weeks or months after noticing problems before they go to see an optometrist. The earlier an eye condition is  diagnosed, the more effective the treatment is likely to be, so do not delay seeing your optometrist if you notice changes with your eyes or your vision. Regular eye exams are especially important as you get older. You will be advised on exactly how often your eye exams should be by your optometrist, but most people should have an eye examination at least every two years.’