Eye Health

You've only got one pair of eyes

Look after them ....

Eye Care We Care

Everyday in Britain 100 people start to lose their sight. In many cases, however, a simple, regular eye check-up is all that's needed to avoid long-term damage to your sight.

KAB has three simple but important messages:

• Everyone, including children as well as people who think they can see perfectly well, should have a thorough eye examination at least every two years.
• In some circumstances, your Optometrist may recommend more frequent NHS sight tests. For example, if you're diabetic, or 40 or over and have a family history of glaucoma.
• Eye examinations are an essential health check; just like regular visits to the dentist they should be a part of everyone's normal health regime.

Click image to enlarge

Did you know that high blood pressure, diabetes and some heart conditions can all be picked up through eye tests before other symptoms have been spotted?

* RNIB 2002, Action for Blind People 2008, Aston Eye Study 2007, The Information Centre for Health and Social Care 2007

Read related stories in the news:

Daily Mail; 23 January 2009

Daily Mail; 21 February 2010

Eye Care We Care Questions

How can I help to promote the Eye Care We Care campaign?

If you have a colour printer, it would really help the campaign if you could download and print copies of our Eye Care We Care Poster and then distribute them to shops, GP surgeries, dentists and chemists in your local area. The more posters there are, the more people will see them!

Download the Eye Care We Care Poster

Why is it important to have regular eye tests?

Eye examinations are vital to make sure you keep your eyes healthy. Just like regular visits to the dentist, they should be part of everyone's normal health regime. Click here to read ten important reasons to have a regular eye examination.

How do I know if my eyes need testing?

Even if you think you can see perfectly well, you should still have your eyes tested at least every two years. You should have your eyes tested more frequently if you are 40 or over and have a family history of glaucoma.

Regular eye tests are particularly important if you're Asian, African, or African-Carribean as you are more at risk of certain eye conditions. People of African-Caribbean descent are eight times more likely to develop glaucoma than the general population and it tends to appear 10-15 years earlier than in other ethnic groups.

I have a learning disability. Should I have my eyes tested?

Yes. People with learning disabilities are more likely to find it difficult to see properly:

• It is very important that you have your eyes tested by an Optician.
• You should have your eyes tested at least every two years.
• Not only does this tell you how good your sight is but also whether your eyes are healthy.
• The Optician has special picture tests for people who find it difficult to speak or read.

Should my children have eye tests?

Eye tests are an essential health check. They can help detect eye problems before a child has noticed changes in their sight:

• Good vision is essential to your child's development and for progress at school.
• Babies usually have their eyes tested at 8 months by the GP; children can be tested at any age.
• If there are members of your family with eye problems, talk to your doctor or Optometrist.
• Children under 16, and people aged 18 or under and in full-time education are entitled to free NHS eye tests.

What happens during an eye test?

Most high street Opticians can do a full eye test, and you can choose to go to whichever one you like. Simply ring up and make an appointment:

• The eye test will be done by an Optometrist. It's completely painless and lasts about 30 minutes.
• The Optometrist will need to find out from you whether you wear glasses or contact lenses, whether you are taking any medication and whether you are experiencing any problems with your eyes or vision.
• They will then do some tests to find out if your eyes are healthy. One of these will be a sight test.
• At the end of the eye test the Optometrist may decide that you need to wear glasses or contact lenses. They will give you a prescription which you can take to a Dispensing Optician.
• Most Optometrists can also dispense glasses and contact lenses.

Will I have to pay for the eye test?

Many people are entitled to free NHS sight tests. Click here to see if you are entitled to free examinations provided by the NHS.