Castle Point MP, Rebecca Harris, visited Castle Opticians in Benfleet last week to find out why regular eye tests are so important in preventing blindness and to promote the importance of optical health in motorists. 

Rebecca said: "It is so important to get your eyes tested. It is quick and easy to do and often an eye test can catch underlying problems before they become serious." 

Booking your eye test can often seem like a chore - it may be something you put off for as long as possible, claiming the headache you've had for the past month is down to tiredness. If so, you're not alone. According to a survey carried out by Mintel in 2010, one in five adults rarely or never have an eye test, which is shocking considering it's a simple appointment to arrange.

An eye test is not just about getting a new pair of glasses – it’s a vital health check for your eyes and your general well-being. An eye test can often pick up on eye diseases such as glaucoma, the second most common cause of blindness which can be prevented. It can also spot diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, you need to have regular check-ups to make sure your retina is not damaged and to prevent your vision from getting worse.

1.8 million people in the UK are living with sight loss and this figure is predicted to increase by 115% to nearly 4 million people by 2050. Much of this is preventable through the early detection and treatment of eye problems. Regular eye tests are a simple and practical way to maintain good eye health and look after your eyes.

Rebecca is also campaigning for tougher rules on motorists who drive whilst medically unfit and recently pressed the Home Secretary on the issue in the House of Commons during the Crime and Courts Bill.

Senior Optometrist and Secretary of Essex Local Optical Committee, Emma Spofforth, explained the health benefits of regular eye tests:

“An eye test is not just a check to see whether you need glasses or not, but is also a means of ensuring your eyes are healthy. An eye test can pick up other health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes so they are an important health check for everyone. Many eye conditions such as glaucoma are treatable and in many cases sight loss can be prevented if they are detected early enough.”

Commenting on her visit Rebecca Harris said:

“As with any other conditions the earlier sight problems are detected the more likely are to be successfully treated. It is very important for everyone, but particularly motorists to get your eyes tested regularly and maintain a good level of optical health. Having passed forty I now get my eyes tested regularly.”

Many groups of people are entitled to free NHS sight tests. These include those aged 60 and over, all children under 16 and those on low incomes. Optical practices are convenient and offer easy access in the local community. You can visit any practice that is either near where you live or where you work. Optical practices can see NHS patients at times that suit them.