Survey highlights cost concerns

Research commissioned by Optegra revealed concerns about the cost-of-living crisis could affect the nation’s eye health as patients deprioritised sight tests.

The eye clinic group surveyed 100 optometrists in the UK, of which 65% said patients were avoiding eye tests because of cost and 43% believed patients were putting their eye health at risk as a result.

Over half (55%) said they anticipated the nation’s eye health to get worse in six months’ time and 40% believed concerns about cost could lead to patients driving while not meeting legal visual requirements.

Amir Hamid, medical director at Optegra, said: ‘There are huge financial pressures on British people at the moment but it is concerning that eye health may suffer as a result. Both with patients avoiding essential eye tests and even optometrists concerned about keeping their practices open due to the cost of living.’