New research from Specsavers has revealed that almost a third of Brits diagnosed with serious eye conditions delay sight-saving treatment due to anxiety. The study, which surveyed 2,000 adults, found that 73% of people feel anxious about eye treatment, more than for any other body part. This is despite one in three (33%) having a serious eye condition such as glaucoma, cataracts, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Delayed Treatment Risks Sight Loss
The so-called 'eye anxiety' led 31% of those with serious conditions to postpone treatment. Among them, 55% waited four months or longer, and 11% have still not sought treatment. Specsavers warns that 12% of those who delayed eventually lost their eyesight completely.
Alison Hammond Backs Campaign
This Morning presenter Alison Hammond, who has a family history of glaucoma, has joined Specsavers optometry director Preet Bhara in a three-part YouTube mini-series, The Recruit. The series highlights how routine eye tests can detect sight-threatening conditions. Hammond visited Newmedica Birmingham to see modern eye treatments and was moved by patients' stories. She said, 'Meeting people genuinely anxious about eye surgery stayed with me. Your eyes are so precious, fear can take over.'
Patient Success Story
Charles, 78, from Solihull, received injections for AMD. He said, 'I was petrified, but the team put me at ease. After two injections, the blur in my left eye decreased noticeably. This improvement allows me to live independently.' Consultant ophthalmologist Ash Sharma added, 'Modern procedures are quick and deliver excellent outcomes. Reassuring patients helps them seek treatment sooner.'
Urgent Need for Early Detection
Specsavers notes that two million people in the UK live with sight loss, with over half due to irreversible conditions like AMD and glaucoma. Preet Bhara said, 'Cataracts, glaucoma, and AMD are leading causes of vision loss. Routine eye tests can detect them early. We recommend checks every two years, as early detection can preserve eyesight.'
