Elderly Eye Tests
Elderly told to have regular eye tests to stop falls
Elderly people are being encouraged to have regular eye tests as a way of preventing falls. Local charity Sight Support Derbyshire have spoken out in support of Age UK and the College of Optometrists as they say not enough people request the free check-ups offered to those aged above 60.
An Age UK poll (of 1700) suggests 1 in 7 over 60’s – nearly 40,000 people in Derbyshire – have not had an eye test for at least 2 years.
Nearly 4 million people are estimated to have fallen in the past 2 years and the poll indicated that 1 in 14 of these falls was linked to vision problems. Falls are the leading cause of death through injury in the elderly. Approximately 25,000 people are living in Derbyshire with sight loss.
Chief Executive of Sight Support Derbyshire Ges Roulstone says ‘Sight Support Derbyshire is very happy to support the report produced by Age UK and the College of Optometrists. The effects of sight loss include the loss of paid work, independence and skills for daily living. Sight loss can lead to isolation and depression. We provide services to 4000 people in Derbyshire who live with visual impairment. Around 50% of sight loss is preventable or treatable – each fall of an elderly person which causes a broken hip costs the NHS £28,000.00 per person or £4.6m per day’
Sight Support Derbyshire is holding their annual Walk for Sight event at Chatsworth on the 3rd July. There are 2 walks – a 3.5 mile and an 8 mile walk with food and entertainment into the evening. Tickets are limited so please contact Sight Support Derbyshire to purchase them.
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