Eye test uptake worry for Ireland

Half of people in Ireland have not had an eye test in the past two years and 21 per cent have never had one according to a Behaviours & Attitudes survey in advance of the Healthy Eyes awareness week.

The survey, based on a population sample of 1,000 people, was published to launch the second national campaign that runs this week (June 16-22), with optical groups pointing out that it demonstrated many people were neglecting their eye health.

The vast majority of those who had never had a sight test, including over 36 per cent of those under the age of 35, thought they had 20/20 vision, even if they had no way of knowing if they did or not.