Testimonials

Mrs B. Snuggs - 14th Oct 2011

These are the best glasses I have ever had, for seeing through and for comfort. I was recommended by my partner and his mum. I had always been to a national chain before.

R. Smedly 9th December 2011

I am delighted to be back at Jaysons. I tried else where and regretted it. Excellent service and very pleased with the results.

Thank you

News & views

Eye exam each decade should be compulsory

A newly published report from the European Parliament urges for eye examinations to be made compulsory for all drivers every 10 years. The document calls for “concerted action “in a bid to reduce the estimates 35,000 deaths annually on roads across Europe.

The call for sight tests every decade for drivers of cars and motorbikes is just one area of action that the report focuses on, with an eye examination every five years for those over the age of 65.

David Wright chief executive of the International Glaucoma Association added we will do our part to raise awareness among the public bur our efforts can only go so far. Just as with seatbelt wearing, we need a legislative backstop to ensure that all drivers attend for regular checks on their vision, which is key to early detection of conditions such as Glaucoma.

Our view

Compulsory eye examinations for all drivers every 10 years and every 5 years for those over 65 would be a very good start. However, it is really not frequent enough as highlighted in the case of a patient who visited our practice a few of months ago. 

The patient who had recently been diagnosed with Glaucoma visited our practice for an eye examination for the first time.   Their previous eye examination was with another Optician over 10 years ago.  During this time they had been managing with Ready Readers that they had been buying off the shelf.  Desperate to keep their driving licence and independence they looked to us to improve their vision. Sadly the Glaucoma had already damaged their peripheral vision and there was nothing that could be done to recover that lost vision.

However, had the patient been for more regular eye examinations then, early diagnosis and intervention could have stopped any permanent damage.

Our advise is that everyone, not just drivers, should have an eye examination at least every 2 years and more frequently if there is a family history of Glaucoma.