The AOP reminds motorists to contact their optometrist if they have concerns about their vision

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) wants to remind motorists that if they have any concerns about their vision, they should contact their optometrist, at their local opticians, before driving a car or vehicle.

With an estimated 2900 road casualties caused by poor vision every year¹ the AOP runs an annual road safety campaign, Don’t swerve a sight test, designed to encourage all drivers to think about their vision and driving.

In 2019 the AOP reported that almost 40% of optometrists in the UK see as many as two patients a month who continue to drive despite being told their vision is below the legal standard² and one in 20 UK motorists admitting they’ve doubted their own vision yet done nothing about it.

Dr Peter Hampson, Clinical Director for the AOP said: “We are seeing a rise in the number of people who have a disregard for how important good vision is for driving ability and it’s impacting the safety of the individuals who use our roads.

“Sight loss can often be gradual, and can go unnoticed, so if you’re a driver and have concerns about your vision, while routine sight tests are currently suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, most practices are open for essential and urgent eyecare and will be able to offer advice over the phone.”

Ends

High resolution images and the campaign video can be access in this Dropbox folder.

For more information, please contact Mary Jones, Acting PR and Media Manager, at the Association of Optometrists, [email protected] or 020 7549 2040.

Notes to Editors

Association of Optometrists

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the leading representative membership organisation for optometrists in the UK. We support over 82% of practising optometrists, to fulfil their professional roles to protect the nation’s eye health. For more information, visit www.aop.org.uk

Notes

1. Fit to Drive: a cost benefit analysis of more frequent eyesight testing for UK drivers by RSA Insurance Group plc, 2012
2. The Voice of Optometry panel was set up and launched in 2017 by the AOP and conducted by Alpha Research. All qualifying AOP members with email addresses were invited to take part in the third survey from 12 February 2019. 1063 practising optometrists completed the online survey by the closing date of 22 March 2019