Over half of Brits have put off having an eye test as Vision Express launch new scan

How often do you get your eyes checked out?

Do you go for regular checkups or seem to never find the time?

Well, research by Vision Express found a whopping 10.5 million Brits haven’t had their eyes tested in the last five years.

This is despite 52% thinking they need one.

Worryingly the study also found that one in six of those under 45’s have never had an eye test.

Meanwhile, one in seven Brits have also admitted they have put off booking an eye test for up to a year. Even though they had concerns about their eye health. 

So what are the biggest excuses Brits use to put off an eye test?

Being too busy (39%), or thinking the issue would go away by itself (20%) were cited as the top reasons. 

The stats don't come as a surprise thanks to many of us spending up to 60 hours a week looking at screens. This equates to 130 days per year.

So in a bid to get the nation to take more care of their eye health and maintenance, Vision Express has launched its Advanced Eye Test. 

The test includes an OCT scan that detects eye conditions, including glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness in the UK, as well as providing a dry eye, and UV protection assessment.

Monitoring eye changes over a lifetime is important, as over a fifth (24%) of Brits admitted their eyes have got drier as they’ve got older. 

Elsewhere, 38% of women over 45 revealed that their eyesight had unexpectedly deteriorated following menopause.

Peena Govind, Clinical Services Manager at Vision Express says: “Your eyes are as unique as your fingerprints so need personalised care. Our new Advanced Eye Test can provide customers with even more information about their eyes, looking at their health as well as their vision in detail, to give a holistic view and tailored solutions. 

"We include a dry eye assessment to help detect eye conditions such as dry eyes and offer a UV protection assessment to give our customers even more personalised results and eye care advice. 

"It’s so important for people to get regular checks so that any changes to their eye can be monitored and any conditions which may not have symptoms a customer can spot by themselves are caught early.”

Vision Express’ Advanced Eye Test is available for just £30, or if you're eligible for an NHS-funded eye test you can upgrade (from £6), and is bookable on the Vision Express website.