High Peak Liberal DemocratsLocal MP, Mark Hunter visited W H Ashworth and Son Ltd, a 4th Generation local Cheadle business, last Friday 30th November 2012 to find out why regular eye tests are so important in preventing blindness.
Around 1.8 million people in the UK are living with sight loss and this figure is set to increase by 115% to nearly 4 million people by 2050, largely due to the ageing population (1). Much of this is preventable through the early detection and treatment of eye problems. Regular eye tests are a simple and practical way to maintain good eye health and look after your eyes.
Commenting on his visit, Mark Hunter said:
"I know from my own personal experience how important regular eye health tests are. They are a simple way to make sure that any potential eye problems are detected early and, in many cases, prevented from getting worse.
"For lots of people, these tests can be free under the NHS and I would urge residents to contact their local optician for more information."
Senior Optometrist, Ian Ashworth, explained the health benefits of regular eye tests:
"An eye test is not just a check to see whether you need glasses or not, but is also a means of ensuring your eyes are healthy.
"An eye test can pick up other health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes so they are an important health check for everyone. Many eye conditions such as glaucoma are treatable and in many cases sight loss can be prevented if they are detected early enough."
Many groups of people are entitled to free NHS sight tests. These include those aged 60 and over, all children under 16 and those on low incomes. Optical practices are convenient and offer easy access in the local community. You can visit any practice that is either near where you live or where you work. Optical practices can see NHS patients at times that suit them.
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