Research: More eye heath awareness needed

10 June 2009

New research has claimed that some Britons are not aware of the importance of maintaining their eye health.

According to a survey published by Transitions Optical, just 41 per cent of people attend an appointment with their optician at least every two years, while 81 per cent visit the dentist within this timeframe.

Furthermore, a quarter of Britons think they have to visit an eye doctor only if they begin to experience sight problems, even though most eye problems have no obvious symptoms.

It also found that only seven per cent of respondents are spontaneously aware that vision can be damaged by long-term exposure to UV light.

However, the research revealed that 93 per cent said sight is their most valued sense, with 65 per cent saying it is the one they are most scared of losing.

Rosie Gavzey, optometrist and director of the Eyecare Trust, commented: "This research indicates that we are more anxious about losing a tooth than an eye.

"Hopefully these results will remind people to pay more attention to eye protection in the future."

The American Optometric Association recently pointed out that the start of summer signals an increased risk of damage from UV exposure.