Eye tests required by 86% of CV Show visitors

Guests and exhibitors at this year’s CV show were warned of the dangers of not looking after their eye health after 86% of visitors to the Vision Express stand were found to be overdue an eye test.

It was revealed that 12% of CV Show visitors had not had a vision check since passing their driving test.

Dan McGhee, director of Professional Services at Vision Express, said: “It’s a huge concern that 86% of visitors to our Vision Van at The CV Show were found to be overdue an eye test – especially as statistics indicate that around 3,000 road casualties every year are due to people driving with below par vision.

“The statistics from the event highlight that there is a clear need to educate drivers about the importance of regular eye examinations, which can help detect sight- stealing conditions such as macular disease, as well as other health conditions.”

The Vision Express Vision Van was stationed at the NEC Birmingham for the 2019 show, to raise awareness of eye health by offering free eye tests to industry members.

While 86% of those who took advantage of the free eye test initiative were overdue a test, 84% were found to be in need of a new prescription after testing.

Twenty percent of those who came to see the Vision Van at the exhibition had never had an eye test.

Vision Express launched its brand-new Vision Van last year, and the high-tech mobile eye testing facility is journeying across the UK to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining regular eye tests, especially for drivers.

Richard Burnett, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association, added: “It’s staggering that Vision Express found that a fifth of visitors to the Vision Van had never had their eyes tested, so we know there’s still a very important job to be done to make the UK’s roads safer.”