Testing the UK's eyes

"The Big Eye Test", a programme to provide privately-funded eye examinations to the general public, has been launched in the UK.

The initiative was launched by optician chain Vision Express as a response to research showing that the UK general public has a low uptake of eye tests: a Government poll showed that 60% of respondents had spent nothing on eye health in the previous year, 27% had not had their eyes tested in the previous two years, 5% had not had their eyes tested for more than 10 years, and 8% of 18–24 year olds had never had an eye test.

Among the schemes to be offered under the new initiative are: digital retinal scanning, provided free of charge, for children up to the age of 16; an in-school eye-care education programme; improving optometrists’ ability to diagnose eye conditions, through a partnership with the Institute of Ophthalmology.