Eye care news – Optegra highlights cost of living concerns

A survey commissioned by Optegra, the eye hospital group, has revealed the effect that financial concerns are having on patients when it comes to seeking eye care.

Insight from 100 British optometrists found that on average, those surveyed estimate 65% of their patients are avoiding essential eye tests due to the cost of living crisis, and 43% feel patients are putting sight at risk as a direct result.

The survey found that 40% believe this is leading to people driving without the legal visual requirements and resulting in older people losing their independence.

Exploring the reasons that might be causing patients to skip appointments, a quarter of optometrists in the survey (26%) reported the main reason patients missed regular eye health checks was that they couldn’t afford the test due to the high cost of living.

Half (49%) of those surveyed said patients are voicing concerns over the cost of contact lenses and new spectacles.