
How Often Should You be Getting Your Eyes Tested?
Being able to see properly can make a big difference to your quality of life. It can have big professional consequences, and big personal consequences, too. Eye deterioration isn’t just a bad thing in itself – it’s also a warning sign for a range of morbidities, like diabetes or cardiovascular disease. If you’re doing something potentially dangerous, like driving or operating heavy machinery, small failures of eyesight can have big consequences.
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As such, it’s a good idea to periodically measure the performance of your eyes, and how it might be deteriorating over time. Armed with this information, we can look to take corrective action.
But exactly how often do eyes need to be tested?
According to NHS guidance, two years is the appropriate interval between eye tests. If you’re eligible, then you’ll be able to get the test done for free by your optician. If you pay for a private test, then you’ll need to wait another two years (at most) before you’re eligible for another free one.
How many people have not been tested?
Lenstore is an online retailer that sells disposable daily lenses. In March 2023, it asked around 2,000 UK drivers about their most recent eye test. Some of the findings were concerning. Around half of respondents had not had an eye test in the last two years. Around one in ten, moreover, claimed to have never been tested.
You might suppose that half of drivers haven’t been tested because they haven’t experienced any vision-related problems. But around three-quarters of those surveyed reported that they wear prescription glasses or contact lenses. As such, there’s a discrepancy that might feasibly lead to greater rates of road accidents.
Sujata Paul is the Contact Lens Optician and Professional Services Clinical Lead at Lenstore. Commenting on the research, she said: “Having regular eye tests is one of the most important things you can do for your health, even if you think you have perfect vision. That is because eye tests can not only reveal early signs of eye conditions like glaucoma but also help detect other health issues such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
“We strongly encourage all drivers, especially those who wear prescription glasses or contact lenses, to make sure they are up to date on routine eye examinations by visiting a qualified optometrist every two years. When it comes to reducing the number of preventable car accidents on our roads, regular eye tests are one of the best measures we have, and one day having yours could even save someone’s life.”
What are the risks if you don’t get your eyes tested enough?
If your eyes are left to deteriorate unchecked, then you could end up suffering from high cholesterol and blood pressure, and put yourself at increased risk of arthritis, dementia, glaucoma and tumours – as well as the diabetes and cardiovascular problems we’ve already mentioned.