People in Hucknall and across Nottinghamshire encouraged to have regular eye tests

NHS leaders in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are encouraging residents to have routine eye tests following figures from the Eye Q report that 24% of people in the East Midlands have not had a routine eye test in the last two years. 

The Eye Q report was issued yesterday (Friday 23 September) by eye health charity Vision Matters for National Eye Health Week and shows that 79 per cent of people living in the East Midlands experienced poor eye health in the last 12 months. 

In 2020/21, referrals from opticians to specialist hospital and community services (not including referrals to eye casualty) in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (excluding Bassetlaw) dropped by 36 per cent and in the last year they remained 14 per cent lower than before the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Having a routine eye test is important for people's eye health, it can spot many health problems and early signs of eye conditions, many of which can be treated if found early enough. 

Children also need regular eye tests. The NHS recommends vision screening at age 4 to 5 years which can help to identify any problems early on. Free NHS sight tests are available at opticians for children under 16 and for young people under 19 in full-time education. Local opticians can be found on the NHS website. 

NHS optician David Cartwright, the chair of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Local Eye Health Network, said: "During the pandemic people may have put off their routine eye tests, but regular tests are really important for both adults and children. 50 per cent of visual loss is preventable if identified early and many people worry about their long term vision. An eye test at your optician can help to identify health problems and signs of eye problems before you are aware of any symptoms. 

"As well as regular eye checks, it's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle including maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, not smoking and reducing alcohol consumption as these can affect your future eye health." 

Regular eye tests are available at your local opticians and some people including children are eligible for free NHS sight tests. Find out more on the NHS website by clicking here.