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Optical Apathy Means People are Risking Their Eyesight

New research reveals that many individuals are ignoring obvious problems with their eyes despite valuing their eyesight above all other senses.
Health - 30 March 2010   Download IconContent available for download:  
Audio | Interview with Paul Surridge, Chief Executive of the Sight Care Group| Login to Download

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  News Hooks:

New research has revealed the drastic state of the UK’s eye health. 75% of people value their eyesight above all their other senses though the same percentage confess to ‘putting up’ with painful headaches linked to poor vision rather than seeking help from a local optician.

More worryingly the research discovered that 50% of people would not go to the opticians despite knowing there was a problem with their eyesight.

Eye health is vitally important but it seems that it is only individuals with serious eye problems that look for help with it. A quarter of the UK admitted to not going for an eye test for more than 2 years, despite over half thinking that they would benefit from an eye test.

. Introduction:

75% of people value their eyesight over all their other four senses so why is it that as a nation we are choosing to ignore the health of our eyes instead of seeking help where it is needed. A new survey has highlighted the drastic state of the UK’s eye health; many individuals are putting up with painful headaches and ignoring obvious problems with their eyes instead of making an appointment with their local optician on a regular basis. Our eye health is vitally important but it seems that in the UK only people faced with serious sight problems are doing something about it, when really we should all be having regular check ups.

So why are so many people neglecting the health of their eyes?

Joining us in the studio is Paul Surridge, Chief Executive of the Sight Care Group.

. Suggested Questions:

What is the situation with people’s eye health in our area?

Why do you think people are putting off eye tests and how often should we be aiming to have our eyes checked?

Why do so many people avoid seeing an optician despite knowing there’s a problem?

What benefits can opticians provide to local people?

What options do people have to maintain their eye health?

Where can we find more information?