A quarter of Brits squint to see something more clearly every day, while 85% have changed their behaviour to compensate for worsening eyesight. Three quarters have taken a photo to zoom in and see something more clearly, while one in five have walked past someone they know without recognising them. Optical Express research marks National Eye Health Week, as experts urge Brits to keep up with regular eye tests and understand the options available to improve their vision.
Brits are squinting at screens, holding things at arm's length and even using their phone cameras as makeshift magnifying glasses as they struggle with changes to their eyesight, new research reveals.
The poll of 2,000 UK adults by Optical Express to mark National Eye Health Week (21–27 September) found more than eight in ten (85%) have changed their behaviour to compensate for worsening eyesight.
Almost a quarter (24%) squint to see something more clearly every day, the study found, while 31% do so a few times a week. Smartphones have also become an unlikely eyesight aid, with more than three quarters (76%) having taken a photo specifically so they could zoom in to see or read something more clearly.
Three in ten (30%) have increased the text size on their phone, while 28% hold things further away to read and 19% ask other people to read things for them.
And struggling to see clearly is causing everyday mishaps. More than a quarter (28%) have misread subtitles or something on TV, while one in five (20%) have walked past someone they know without recognising them. The same number have sent or typed something incorrectly because they couldn't read a screen properly, while others have bought the wrong product after misreading the packaging (10%) or misread a road sign (9%).
The research comes ahead of National Eye Health Week, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of looking after our eyes and having regular sight tests.
Despite the number of Brits adapting their everyday lives around their eyesight, more than one in ten (11%) haven't had an eye test for more than five years, while 3% say they have never had one.
Dr Stephen Hannan, Clinical Services Director at Optical Express, said:
"It can be very easy to adapt to changes in your eyesight without really noticing you're doing it.
"Squinting at something, making the text on your phone bigger or taking a photo so you can zoom in might feel like harmless little habits. But if you're increasingly relying on tricks like these to see clearly, it could be a sign that your vision has changed.
"What is concerning is that some people are experiencing these changes while going years without having their eyes tested.
"An eye test isn't simply about finding out whether you need glasses or a new prescription. It is an important check on the overall health of your eyes and can help identify potential problems at an early stage.
"National Eye Health Week is therefore a timely reminder not to take our eyesight for granted and to make regular eye tests part of looking after our overall health.
"For many people, glasses or contact lenses will continue to be the right way to correct their vision. But others may be suitable for a longer-term solution such as laser eye surgery or lens replacement surgery. The important thing is to understand your individual eyes, your prescription and your lifestyle, and to receive expert advice about the options that may be appropriate for you.
"At Optical Express, patient safety and clinical suitability always come first. We have more than 35 years of specialist eye care experience, and our ophthalmic surgeons and optometrists are among the most experienced clinical teams in the field. Only patients who are clinically suitable should ever proceed with vision correction surgery. We have declined to treat patients on over 1.1 million occasions since 2002."
Optical Express is the UK and Ireland's No.1 provider of vision correction and performs more than 60% of premium vision correction procedures carried out across the UK and Ireland each week.
The provider has invested more than £600 million in world-class technology, including state-of-the-art diagnostic, laser and lens platforms, while its clinical outcomes include 99% of laser eye surgery patients achieving 20/20 vision or better and 100% exceeding the driving vision standard. Close on £37 million has been donated to philanthropic causes in the same period.
Patient satisfaction is also high, with 93% reporting an improved quality of life following treatment and 88% saying eye surgery is one of the best decisions they have ever made. More than 99% of patients would recommend Optical Express to friends and family.
Dr Hannan added:
"Good vision has an enormous impact on our independence, confidence and quality of life. If you find yourself increasingly changing the way you use your phone, read, drive, watch television or recognise people because of your eyesight, don't simply accept it as part of getting older.
"Have your eyes examined and find out what is causing the change. And, if you are interested in reducing your dependence on glasses or contact lenses, ask an experienced eye care professional whether vision correction treatment could be suitable for you."
For more information, to book an eye test or to find out whether you could be suitable for vision correction treatment, visit Optical Express today.
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