Rochdale eye surgeon urges over 60s not to miss out on free checks

Date published: 12 December 2007

A leading Rochdale eye surgeon is urging residents aged over 60 to make sure that they’re taking care of their sight – and that they don’t miss out on free checks.

Mr Tanveer Hashmi was speaking during National Eye Week, which runs until Sunday, 16 December.

The annual campaign is led by the Eyecare Trust, a registered charity which raises awareness of all aspects of eye health, the importance of regular eye care and good eye wear.

Mr Hashmi, a consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Birch Hill Hospital, said that this year’s theme of "Sight after Sixty’ sent out important advice to residents aged over 60.

He said: "Anyone aged over 60 is entitled to free NHS eye examinations, and has been able to do so since April 1999. The national survey by the Eyecare Trust found that too many elder people are still not aware of this right. I would urge everyone who qualified to make sure that they take this opportunity.

"The Trust’s survey said that around 30% of over-60s who miss out on regular sight checks said that the quality of their vision made them feel depressed or vulnerable. A similar number said that it would "cost a lot of money" even though free eye examinations for the over 60s are their right. Vouchers to assist with the cost of spectacles or contact lenses are also available for people on low incomes and those requiring complex lenses.

"I very much welcome this research, which helps highlight a key issue. My advice to anyone over 60 is to make sure that they are making the most of this right by visiting the optician. Poor vision is not an inevitable consequence of ageing, and there are many dedicated health professionals who can help you to look after your sight."

Mr Hashmi added that regular eye examinations also help with the early detection of a range of age-related eye conditions that can often be easily managed. Eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking, a new prescription and low vision aids are all simple ways which can help maintain and preserve vision.

The Eyecare Trust report also found that those people who failed to have regular eye examinations had a low awareness of age-related eye conditions and believed they were not at risk of sight loss. Only half of those surveyed had heard of age-related macular degeneration - the biggest cause of blindness in the UK. Just one in 10 were aware of presbyopia - a condition that reduces our ability to focus and affects more than 25 million people across the UK.

Iain Anderson, Chairman of the Eyecare Trust, said: "Good vision is so often a key factor in the elderly maintaining their dignity and independence. Poor uncorrected vision can have a significant impact on our physical and social well-being. It's unforgivable that elderly people are left feeling depressed and vulnerable by the quality of their vision when sight loss in older people is very often avoidable. Further research has shown how 75 per cent of older people who suffer a fall as a result of poor vision had a visual impairment that was easily correctable."

The actress and author, Nanette Newman, who has lent her support to the National Eye, said: "I feel passionate about the role that good eyecare plays in helping the elderly maintain their dignity and independence. I've seen the benefits of caring for my own eyes - I hope you will too."