Research demonstrates link between homelessness and vision loss

A direct link has been found between homelessness and ocular health by a medical student in London.

Nick Sawers, a fourth year medical student at St George’s, Tooting, said 80 per cent of homeless patients at a clinic he volunteered at needed glasses.

He was speaking last week at the House of Lords during a reception organised by Vision Care for Homeless People.

He had started a research project in partnership with VCHP, Crisis and Moorfields Eye Hospital, using statistics gathered at vision clinics run by VCHP at Crisis at Christmas centres.

More than 280 patients were seen at these clinics late last year, with significantly more demand for vision correction.