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New research released as part of National Eye Week has shown there is a large disparity between the number of people who live in fear of sight loss and the number that have actually had their eyesight tested by an ophthalmologist or professional optometrist.
According to the Great Yarmouth Mercury, 82 per cent of those living in Great Yarmouth fear losing their sight above all other senses. However, only 20 per cent have had an eye examination in the past five years in search of a
cure for myopia or a
dry eye solution.
This is despite the fact that a fifth are aware that opticians recommend that people get their eyes tested every two years.
Speaking to the news provider about the issue, David Scott-Ralphs, chief executive of SeeAbility and chair of National Eye Health Week, said: "This week is a personalised call for everyone in Great Yarmouth and across the country to have a regular eye examination as a crucial part of every regular healthcare routine, just like going to the dentist.
"The survey findings released today are astonishing when you consider that, of the 1.8 million people in the UK living with some degree of sight loss, more than half of these cases could be helped with a simple eye examination or a new glasses prescription, yet many don't give their eye health enough importance."
Mr Scott-Ralphs concluded that the aim of National Eye Week is to ensure people are aware just how important their vision is to their everyday lives.
His comments come just after Dr Emily Chew warned of the detrimental effects smoking can have on
vision correction.
Speaking to the Courier-Journal, Dr Chew said that smoking should be avoided because it is never good for you.
She added that as well as the lung cancer and heart disease risks associated with the habit, smoking actually increases the risks of cataract formation.
Written by Emily Stafford
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