Six million older people in the UK are needlessly risking their sight by not having regular eye tests, reveals a report published today (12 September) by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
"Older People and Eye Tests", published for RNIB Eye Test Action Day and based on a survey of 5,000 over-60s, found that half (47 percent) are failing to have annual eye tests. RNIB is urging all over-60s to have comprehensive eye tests each year and is calling on the Government to invest in a large-scale eye health awareness campaign targeting older people.
A comprehensive eye test can detect conditions such as glaucoma, wet AMD (age-related macular degeneration) and diabetic retinopathy early enough to get treatment before any permanent damage is done. If left untreated, these conditions can lead to blindness.
RNIB Campaigns Manager and report author, Barbara McLaughlan, said: "Our message to people over 60 is simple: don't wait until you notice changes in your vision to visit your optician - get your eyes tested every year. An eye test will detect the early stages of a serious condition and could save your sight. Age is the highest risk factor in developing some of the most common eye conditions (AMD, glaucoma and cataracts) that can lead to blindness. By the time we're 60, one in 12 of us will have developed a sight problem, by the time we are 75 it is as many as one in six!"
Barbara McLaughlan continued: "Our research shows that over 70 per cent of people understand the main purpose of an eye test is to check the general health of the eye or detect eye disease early. However, this didn't necessarily translate into people getting regular eye tests. Those people we asked who hadn't had an eye test in the last two years still cited 'not having had any problems with my eyes' as the main reason for not having an eye test.
"It's too dangerous to leave an eye test until you notice something's wrong. Early-stage glaucoma, for example, has no symptoms and up to 40 per cent of sight can be lost before you realise anything is wrong."
78-year-old Ron Smith from Nottingham, went for an eye test to check if he needed stronger reading glasses and was surprised when his optometrist told him he had raised pressure in his right eye. Ron's daughter Gail said: "Dad insisted there was nothing wrong with his sight and was reluctant to go to the eye specialist his optometrist had referred him to. Thankfully I persuaded him to go, because when he did he was diagnosed with the early stages of glaucoma. He now uses special drops once a day, which stop the progress of his condition, and his sight is just as good as it's always been.
"That visit to the optician picked up a condition that my father didn't know he had. If it had been left undetected it could've meant he'd go blind. I'd urge everyone to have an eye test - whether or not they notice any changes in their sight."
Even small deteriorations in older people's sight can put their health and wellbeing at risk. Sight loss increases the likelihood of trips and falls, which can lead to broken bones, hip fractures and hospitalisation. Poor sight can also mean someone misreads the tiny writing on their medicine bottles and takes an incorrect dose of their medication. Shockingly, over half of people over 75 who are living with sight loss that affects their ability to do everyday things, simply need new glasses or a routine cataract operation to restore their full sight.
RNIB's report gives three main reasons why older people aren't getting their eyes tested as frequently as they should: they don't think there is anything wrong with their eyes; they think that the cost of glasses is too high; and for those over the age of 80, they can't get to an eye test easily.
Barbara McLaughlan said: "Many people don't know that the cost of glasses or getting to an eye test needn't be a barrier to having an eye test. If you're on a low income or on benefits you could be entitled to an NHS voucher to help towards the cost of glasses. And anyone who has difficulty getting out to have an eye test, can have an optician visit them at home. All you need to do is contact your local optician who can either provide this service or refer you to another optician who does."
David Cartwright, Boots Opticians Clinical Director, said: "An eye test can determine whether you need new glasses that will help you to do everyday things such as reading and driving, but it could also reveal general health problems such as high blood pressure, neurological issues and diabetes. Boots Opticians have been working with RNIB to help promote good eye health and highlight the importance of regular eye tests for older people. In response to RNIB's latest findings, Boots Opticians will be offering free eye tests for everyone over 50 for one week only, from the 9 to 15 September 2007."
RNIB recommends comprehensive annual eye tests for everyone over the age of 60 and generally every two years for younger people. A comprehensive eye test should last around 30 minutes or longer. Free NHS eye tests are available at least every two years for those aged 60-69 and every year to those over 70. In Scotland free NHS eyes tests are available at any age (annually for children and those aged over 60 and generally every two years for others).
Further information
For more information please call RNIB's Helpline on 0845 766 9999. To book your free Boots eye test or to find your nearest Boots Opticians please call 08451 204 343.
- ends -
For further media information, photos or to interview a case study please contact Christina Nicolaidou, Bill Alker, Grant Imlach or Yashoda Sutton, RNIB Press Office, on 020 7391 2223 (out of hours mobile: 07968 482812).
Notes to Editors
Every day another 100 people in the UK will start to lose their sight. There are around two million people in the UK with sight problems. RNIB is the leading charity working in the UK offering practical support, advice and information for anyone with sight difficulties. If you, or someone you know, has a sight problem RNIB can help. Call the RNIB Helpline on 0845 766 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk.
"Older people and eye tests: Don't let age rob you of your sight", RNIB September 2007, Lesley Conway and Barbara McLaughlan. Copies of this report are available from RNIB's Press Office. "Older people and eye tests" is based on a survey conducted by Age Concern Research and commissioned by RNIB. 5,000 people between the ages of 60 and 89 in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were asked about eye testing. The results are based on a response from 3,848 people from across the UK.
"Changing the way we think about blindness", RNIB September 2002, Dan Vale and Ciara Smyth.
"Older people and eye tests: Don't let age rob you of your sight.", RNIB September 2007, Lesley Conway and Barbara McLaughlan.
"Older people and eye tests: Don't let age rob you of your sight.", RNIB September 2007, Lesley Conway and Barbara McLaughlan.
Boots Opticians currently have 287 branches across the UK, both within Boots stores and stand alone. If you are over 50 and would like to book your eye test during this week (Sunday 9th to Saturday 15th September 2007), or to find your nearest Boots Opticians store, simply call 0845 120 4343, or if you are passing just pop in, as an appointment is not always necessary.
For information on what RNIB recommends should be included in a comprehensive eye test, please see accompanying leaflet entitled 'You'll never regret an eye test: What an eye test checks - and how it could save your sight', or visit www.rnib.org.uk/eyetest.
RNIB is a member of VISION 2020 UK - an umbrella organisation of more than 40 organisations within the UK which focus on visual impairment. The organisation facilitates greater collaboration and co-operation between members and has an overall aim of ending avoidable sight loss in the UK by 2020 www.vision2020uk.org.uk.