Many housebound people missing out on vital eye tests

An estimated 500,000 people in Britain are housebound, leaving many struggling to access eye tests that could reveal early signs of diabetes and other serious illnesses.
Swindon-based eye care provider OutsideClinic, which carries out around 100,000 home eye tests a year, wants more people to know that professional eye care is available without a trip to the high street.
Matthew Burford, Professional Services Manager at OutsideClinic, said: "Good eye care isn’t just about helping people see better; it’s about helping people live better. 
"For those who are unable to get to an opticians, our simple, stress-free home visit eye tests bring essential healthcare directly to people who need us most. 
"Everyone deserves access to quality eye care, wherever they live and whatever their circumstances."
The campaign, running throughout November and December, is aimed at people who cannot leave home without help, as well as their families and carers.
Experts warn that missing regular eye tests can mean serious health problems go unnoticed.
An examination can pick up the early signs of glaucoma, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, all of which can damage eyesight.
Optometrists can also spot warning signs of illnesses that have little to do with how well someone can see. Blood vessels at the back of the eye can reveal changes associated with diabetes, high blood pressure and other general health conditions
For older people, regular eye tests are particularly important. Glaucoma, a condition that damages the optic nerve, often develops without noticeable symptoms. Once sight has been lost, the damage cannot be reversed.
Age-related macular degeneration can also develop gradually, making it harder to read, recognise faces or carry out everyday tasks.
Poor eyesight can increase the risk of falls among older people, particularly those who already have difficulty moving around.
Swelling of the optic nerve can also indicate increased pressure inside the skull, which occasionally results from a brain tumour. These findings do not necessarily mean a patient has cancer or another serious illness. Further tests are needed to establish the cause.
However, identifying suspicious changes early can allow doctors to investigate before symptoms become more severe.
Getting to an optician can be impossible for people who are housebound through illness, disability or reduced mobility.
OutsideClinic hopes its campaign will encourage more families to arrange home visits rather than allowing eye problems to go unchecked.
The service is available to people who are physically unable to attend a high street optician alone and cannot leave their home unaccompanied.
Professional eye examinations are carried out in patients' homes, removing the need to travel to an appointment. 
The company is also urging relatives and carers to check whether someone they look after could benefit from a home eye test.
Although an estimated 500,000 people in the UK are classed as housebound, some research suggests the actual figure could be considerably higher. OutsideClinic wants to ensure more of them know they don't have to leave home to get professional eye care.
Further information is available at www.outsideclinic.co.uk
 

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