In August 2024, the three Healthwatch teams in Sussex sought your experiences of of having your eyes tested.
Eye tests play a huge part in making sure your eyes stay healthy. The NHS recommends you should have your eyes tested every two years (more often if advised by your ophthalmic practitioner or optometrist). A detailed explanation of NHS eye tests is available on the NHS website.
359 people from across Sussex shared their views with us. We heard:
• 70.6% of responses are eligible for a free eye test as they are over 60. And 97.5% of responses have an eye test in the last 2 years.
• Not having any eye test has had some negative impact on ability to work or to carry out daily household tasks and some significant negative impact on ability to do the
things enjoyed or relationships with others.
Respondents to our poll told us they would like to see:
“More emphasis on cost saving. Eg. offering to reglaze existing frames rather than supplying new at each test”
“Not feeling under pressure to buy glasses from the same place that the test takes place”
“Less focus on selling frames, more on explaining eye conditions”
“Shorter waiting times to get an appointment.”
“The opportunity for the optometrist to make a direct referral to the Eye Clinic and information to be shared.”
“Clarify the link between opticians and hospital eye services. The referral system needs to more clearly explained to patients.”
View the report
Click the link below to download the report
| Healthwatch in Sussex - Experiences of Eye Tests | Download File (pdf 114.63 KB) |
