Member Article

Optician marks 30 years with free North East health initiative, revealing 15% had not had sight check since passing driving test

Eye health hotspots across the North East were the target of a free eye test initiative, which revealed residents are neglecting their sight – with 90% wearing outdated prescriptions. Worse still, 15% confessed they had not had their vision checked since reading a number plate as part of their driving test.

A three-day campaign, which coincided with World Sight Day, saw residents of Gateshead, Sunderland and Newcastle take advantage of a free, comprehensive eye test onboard the Vision Express Vision Van, amid figures revealing that:

• More than 90,000 North East residents are living with glaucoma, the silent thief of sight (5.7% of the population),
• Over 20,000 locals have age-related macular degeneration (AMD),
• And more than 95,000 residents have risk factors for AMD.

The eye-catching mobile testing vehicle parked up at Metrocentre in Gateshead, Market Square in Sunderland, and on Grainger Street, Newcastle.

Imogen Coda, a 19-year-old student at Newcastle University admitted to never having had an eye test before and said: “I struggle to read the board in lectures and I’ve noticed, if I’m tired, I strain my eyes whilst driving. I do need glasses for short sightedness, which I knew would probably be the case. The Vision Van is very convenient, so I’m really glad I stopped by.”

Another visitor to the Van was 67-year-old Helena Figan from North Tyneside, who was referred to hospital for emergency testing. Helena commented: “About two weeks ago I started noticing a dark patch in my left eye and I was having strong headaches frequently. I was also seeing flashing lights and floating dots, so I knew I needed to seek a professional opinion.”

Matthew Gee-Smith, Vision Express optometrist onboard the Van in Newcastle said: “Helena was concerned about some distortion to her sight and after no visible prescription issues, I ran tests to check her macular. I suspected the dark patch on Helena’s left eye was caused by a blood vessel leaking, or a membrane forming on the back of her eye. I issued an emergency referral to Royal Victoria Infirmary for further testing.”

Whilst stationed outside the Metrocentre – which was the first Vision Express that opened its doors in 1988 - Janette Grieve, 33, from Newcastle visited the Van. She said: “I haven’t had an eye test in about 15 years and I didn’t think I had anything wrong with my eyes. I always thought of an eye test as one of those things that life gets in the way of and you end up putting off, but I’m so glad I had a test today because I’ve been referred to hospital.”

Chris Froment, Vision Express optometrist on the Vision Van in Gateshead said: “Janette didn’t show any noticeable sight issues but upon examination I detected pressure building behind one of her eyes. This can be a sign of glaucoma or potentially ocular hypertension, so I referred Janette for emergency testing. The aim of this is to prevent serious conditions further down the line, as conditions like glaucoma can make you go blind.”

Jonathan Lawson, Vision Express CEO, added: “Our Vision Van continues to receive a fantastic response from the public - but it’s concerning that we saw a worrying neglect for eye health in the North East, with 90% of visitors having outdated prescriptions.”

“It’s also a concern that 15% admitted to not having an eye test since passing their driving test, considering that around 3,000 road casualties every year are due to people driving with below par vision. This is an issue we’re committed to tackling, because we believe the 20m number plate test is woefully inadequate and send the wrong message. A comprehensive eye test is the only way to be sure your sight is good enough to get behind the wheel.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Vision Express .