Brits risking eye health

As many as one in five Brits rarely or never have an eye examination, according to new research from Mintel.

The findings revealed less than half of the nation have had their eyes tested in the last 12 months.

Kate Fielding, director of communications and information for the General Optical Council, said: "Regular eye examinations should be part of your health routine.

"An eye examination is not just to check whether or not you need glasses to see long distances or read easily. It can also find any underlying health problems, like high blood pressure or diabetes."

He added that an optician will also be able to check for more serious eye conditions such as glaucoma or macular degeneration.

Some 32 million people in the UK now wear glasses, an increase of two million since 2004. The number of contact lens wearers has grown by half a million in the past five years.

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