Health Minister Philip Dunne MP was in attendance at Portcullis House, Westminster as Vision Express hosted its ‘Eye Tests Saves Lives’ event as part of Road Safety Week 2017.
Joining a group of around 25 MPs, the Health Minister took part in a consultation with a Vision Express optometrist and was later invited to use a special driving simulator, which demonstrated how vision is affected by eye conditions, such as glaucoma.
According to YouGov, one in four people who drive for work are not having regular eye tests. With a sharp increase in the number of people using a vehicle for work, the high-street optician called on MPs and policy-makers to acknowledge the road safety risks posed by motorists who avoid regular sight checks.
‘We’re calling on the Government to take action to help us raise awareness about the importance of regular eye tests for drivers,’ said Vision Express CEO Johnathan Lawson.
‘One simple step would be to ensure that when drivers are prompted to renew their photo card license every ten years that they are also reminded about the importance of making sure their eye prescription is up-to-date,’ Lawson added.