SPECSAVERS is launching a campaign in Wales today [Wednesday 6 November 2024] to encourage people to act fast and visit their local optician when faced with sudden eye problems – after a poll from YouGov[1] found that more than two thirds (68%) of Welsh adults wouldn’t visit an optician as a first port of call if they woke up with an eye problem.
The survey, which was commissioned by Specsavers and polled 1,000 adults in Wales, also revealed that half (50%) would first contact another NHS service (GP, pharmacy, eye hospital, NHS 111 or A&E) if they woke up with eye issues, rather than their local opticians.
With NHS hospital waiting lists in Wales having reached a record high, according to Welsh Government data release last month[2], Specsavers is encouraging people in Wales to phone their local Specsavers store rather than turning to their GP or other NHS services if they are experiencing sudden onset symptoms to do with their vision. This could include blurred or cloudy vision, loss of vision, floaters, flashing lights, red eyes or sensitivity to light, as well as eye irritation, inflammation, swollen or puffy eye lids or ingrowing eyelashes. A number of the services are fully funded by NHS Wales too.
Many people in Wales face long delays in accessing NHS services, particularly for GP appointments. With almost 80,000 patients in Wales waiting over a year for a first outpatient appointment, Specsavers can provide direct care for urgent eye issues, meaning patients can avoid unnecessary visits to A&E or lengthy GP appointment queues.
Michael Bradbury, lead clinical performance consultant for Specsavers in Wales, explained: “By offering immediate eye health services, we can help reduce the burden on the NHS in Wales, especially as demand for these services starts to build as we approach the winter flu season.
“Specsavers is here to provide fast and effective care, ensuring people receive the help they need, when they need it, and before their condition worsens.”
Ian Beatty, a health and safety manager from Penarth, knows first-hand the importance of accessing urgent eye health services in Wales. After discovering a floater in his eye, he phoned his local Specsavers store, who recognised the urgency of his symptoms and advised him to come into the store immediately.
Mr Beatty was seen by optometrist Molly Feltham, who identified he had suffered a retinal tear and referred him to hospital, where he had two operations. Less than a month later, his vision is now completely back to normal.
To bring this important message to life, Specsavers has partnered with Côr Meibion Bro Glyndŵr, a male voice choir from Corwen, Denbighshire. The choir is performing a specially written song, encouraging people to take action at the first sign of eye trouble.
The choir’s performance, which has lines such as “Is it itchy? Is it dry? Someone poked you in the eye?”, will be released across social media today [6 November] supported by an advertising campaign encouraging people to phone their local optician first if these issues crop up.
Ann Atkinson Sharp, musical director of Côr Meibion Bro Glyndŵr, expressed her pride in the collaboration: “Many of our choir members rely heavily on their sight, both in music and in life, so ensuring good eye health is crucial for all of us.
“We hope this collaboration will encourage people to prioritise their eye health and seek help early – before small issues turn into bigger problems.
“With Specsavers’ services, they can do so quickly, without putting more pressure on the NHS.”
The YouGov survey also revealed that, while more than half of the respondents would visit an optician if they suffered sudden onset reduced vision (58%) or sudden onset blurred or cloudy vision (52%), only 22% said they would visit an optician for sudden red or sore eyes and 15% for swollen eyelids, showcasing the need to raise awareness of the wide array of eye-related symptoms that can be managed by a local opticians.
Meanwhile, of the 68% who would not visit an optician first if they woke up with an eye problem, more than a third (35%) didn’t know they could use an optician for these issues, while a quarter (25%) were concerned they’d have to pay for treatment.
Mr Bradbury continued: “The survey results highlight that there isn’t enough awareness of exactly when you should visit your opticians and the expert support on hand that goes beyond your routine sight check.
“Specsavers works in partnership with NHS Wales to provide care for urgent eye issues on the high street, booked by making a quick phone call to your local store.
“Our optometrists are here to help and provide an urgent appointment if you need it. A number of the services are fully funded by NHS Wales too.
“It was, however, positive to see that of those respondents who would visit their optician first, 75% said they trust opticians as clinical eye experts, 42% noted the quick appointment availability and 38% prefer opticians due to their local presence.
“This shows that when people understand the role of opticians in providing urgent care, they recognise the expertise and convenience offered by their local Specsavers, who are located right in the heart of the community.
“Our goal is to make sure even more people are aware that they can turn to us first for eye health concerns, helping them get the care they need quickly, while easing pressure on other healthcare services.”
Specsavers urges anyone in Wales experiencing sudden eye-related symptoms to call their local store for an urgent eye health check. The service, funded by NHS Wales, is available to all Welsh residents under the Welsh General Ophthalmic Services (WGOS), but if you develop sudden eye issues while on holiday in Wales, you will still be able to access support from a local Specsavers store.
Use the store locator to find the nearest Specsavers location in Wales. For more information by visiting the Specsavers’ eye services in Wales webpage.
