Eyesight deterioration reported in lockdown

A survey has revealed 31% of adults in the UK have noticed their vision get worse since pandemic lockdowns started, which had increased from 22% since June last year.

Commissioned by the College of Optometrists, the Opinium survey of 2,000 adults found 44% believed their eyesight had worsened due to increase screen time, which was up from 27%.

Respondents said they did not take action because they did not think the problem was serious enough (29%) or because they were concerned about catching Covid-19 when visiting their optometrist (25%).

Daniel Hardiman-McCartney, clinical adviser at the College, said: ‘We polled adults about their vision after the first lockdown in June, 2020 and again in April, 2021, and have seen a marked increase in those worried about their eyesight.’