Eye care concerns as Brits avoid tests

09/11/2009

Money problems are leading Brits to neglect their eyesight - leading to potential medical problems for the future.

Findings from Simplyhealth, an insurer, show that 75 per cent of people have delayed their eye tests due to financial concerns - with many fearing that new glasses or contact lenses will prove too costly.

However, the report pointed out that eyesight could be damaged by these delays - and that the checks can also be used to identify "underlying" conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Simplyhealth also said that stroke risks and tumours can also be identified by opticians - and that half the population, or 30 million people, are entitled to free eyecare on the NHS.

Raman Sankaran, a Simplyhealth spokesman, said: "We firmly believe that cost should not be a barrier to people enjoying good eye health or lifelong good vision."

Eyecare Trust chairman Iain Anderson added: "Part of the problem is that people are still not sure what [sight tests] they are entitled to."

The report was released to mark the beginning of National Eye Week, which runs until November 15th.

Tags; Budgeting Advice, Young Family Finances, Retirement Money Problems,

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