AOP demands NHS voucher increase

A 12.5% increase to the NHS optical voucher value was required to assist patients who struggled to afford eye care because of rises to the cost-of-living. The Association of Optometrists (AOP) called for this after sharing results of a poll it conducted in October.

It revealed that 36% of all ages wore out-of-date prescriptions, 19% used broken glasses they have had to self-repair, and 31% admit they wore friends’ and family’s eyewear to avoid spending money on their own.

AOP chief executive Adam Sampson said: ‘It’s of deep concern that people are being forced to make decent vision an optional ‘extra.’ The stories to come out of this research are truly shocking and it’s imperative that action is taken now to minimise the long-term damage to people’s eyesight.