Optition urges eye tests for health day

1:47pm Sunday 23rd March 2008

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A Chorley optician is encouraging people to use World Health Day on Monday, April 7, as a reminder to get their eyes tested regularly.

Specsavers, Chapel Street, Chorley, is keen to highlight the important role that eye examinations can play in the early detection of conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Store director Antony Mazeika said: "We want to raise awareness of the need for everyone to have regular eye examinations in much the same way as you would regularly visit a dentist to keep your teeth healthy or a doctor for regular health checks.

"Many people put off having their eyes checked or assume that having an eye exam is unnecessary if they can see clearly."

Eye examinations can detect serious conditions such as glaucoma, the leading cause of preventable blindness in the UK, and a number of other health problems that can develop gradually.

In the case of glaucoma, the sufferer is often unaware of the problem until it is quite severe.

However, an eye examination can detect certain conditions like this in its early stages, allowing doctors to treat the condition quickly.

Antony added: "It is extremely important to have regular check ups and we recommend that adults should have an eye examination every two years.

"If we can catch these potentially serious conditions early enough we have a much greater chance of offering a successful treatment."