Facts are to ignore. But, when it comes to eye-related facts, they are almost impossible to unsee. Today, we will uncover some lesser-known facts about common eye disorders in the UK. We understand that, at times, the truth can be bitter, but our motive is to create awareness of eye health.
Top 7 Eye-related Facts in the UK that Everyone Should Know About
1. Around 50 Percent of Sight Loss in the UK is Preventable
According to a study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, around 50 percent cases of sight loss in Western European countries, including the UK, are preventable. A large portion of sight loss incidents occurring due to refractive error can be rectified by wearing the right prescription glasses.
Many types of cataracts are also treatable. Lastly, it is possible to avoid sight loss caused by age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, etc., if the cases are diagnosed and treated early.
2. here are Over 2 Million People in the UK with Sight Loss
Around 2 million people in the UK who meet the international criteria of vision impairment of vision worse than 6/12 Snellen - that is halfway down the optician’s letter chart. It is that proportion of vision loss that requires people to surrender their driving licence in the UK.
However, fortunately or unfortunately, the ‘2 million’ number is subjective, as the vision of a large section of the people could be improved with the right prescription glasses, such as varifocal lenses.
3. There are 340000 Registered Blind or Partially Sighted in the UK
Caption: To be registered as blind, people need a CVI tag
There are 340000 people registered as completely or partially blind, and they are a subgroup of the 2 million. These 340000 people have a Certification of Vision Impairment (CVI) rendered and social care through the National Health Service.
The eligibility to receive a CVI tag and additional social benefits is complex. Usually, a person would be eligible for a CVI if their vision acuity is worse than 6/60, meaning they cannot read the top letter on the optician’s chart.
4. Common Eye Disorders in the UK
Some of the most commonly prevalent eye disorders in the UK include -
- Age-related Macular Degeneration - 700,00 people
- Cataract - 30 percent of people over the age of 65
- Glaucoma - 480,000 people
- Diabetic Retinopathy -
- Astigmatism - 800,000 people
Read more about astigmatism here!
Around 1.5 Million People in the UK are Impacted by Macular Disease
According to the Macular Society, approximately 1.5 million people in the UK are affected by macular disease, which is the nation’s biggest cause of sight loss. Macular disease is a progressive health concern that can have debilitating effects on people’s lives. Patients might not be able to perform basic tasks, such as driving, reading, seeing human faces, and more. Unfortunately, there is no cure to macular disease, and most types are not treatable.
Besides, 600000 people in the UK are affected by age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Moreover, new studies show that as many as 700000 people are affected by other macular conditions, and many more people are at risk.
6. Myopia Cases in the UK
Myopia or near-sightedness in the UK affects around 1 in 3 people. It is becoming increasingly common. Although myopia is treatable with glasses or even surgery, the process can be costly.
The susceptible toward the condition accelerates if myopia runs in the family. Signs of myopia begin from puberty and gradually increase by the age of 40. It is alleged that spending a lot of time staring at nearby objects can increase the chances of developing myopia.
Sight Loss in Children
Caption: The proportion of children affected by visual impairment is slowly increasing
There are approximately 37000 blind and partially blind children and young people in England and Wales. Besides, 2 in every 1000 children in the UK have a vision impairment. Lastly, 50 percent of children and young individuals with vision impairment have special needs.
Every day, four more children are diagnosed with sight loss in the UK. Lastly, studies reveal that 25 percent of all blind and partially sighted children are unhappy with their life. Similarly, parents of half of these children are worried about their ability to learn at school.
If you want to know more about children’s eye health in the UK, read here!
Final Thoughts
It is an undeniable fact that eye disorders are on a surge. Most of these conditions are a result of the lack of early eye checkups and precautions. Undermining the importance of an eye test is an invitation to a spree of eye problems. Therefore, at Specscart, we offer free NHS eye tests at our stores to ensure that healthy and clear vision becomes accessible to all.
References
https://www.rnib.org.uk/professionals/health-social-care-education-professionals/knowledge-and-research-hub/key-information-and-statistics-on-sight-loss-in-the-uk/#:~:text=340%2C000%20people%20are%20registered%20blind,part%20of%20the%20registration%20process).
https://www.aop.org.uk/ot/science-and-vision/research/2018/03/28/uk-has-lowest-prevalence-of-blindness-in-the-world#:~:text=An%20estimated%2050%25%20of%20vision,of%20the%2050%20countries%20surveyed.
https://www.visiondirect.co.uk/eye-care-centre/what-is-astigmatism
https://www.macularsociety.org/about/media/news/2018/october/nearly-15m-people-uk-are-affected-macular-disease/
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