Drivers turn blind eye to vision problems

Millions of adults are putting themselves and others at risk by deliberately ignoring eyesight problems, research claimed today.

Half the population uses some kind of vision correction. Of the other half, many need to do so but are put off contact lenses because they think they will be uncomfortable and glasses because they do not like they way they look.

It means that as many as 2.5 million Britons could be a danger to themselves and others when they do everyday activities such as driving, researchers claim.

The study of just under 1,000 adults who had not had eyesight correction was carried out by Dr June McNicholas, a senior research psychologist at the University of Warwick.

The participants from London, Glasgow, Manchester-and Coventry, were given the standard-Snellen Chart eye test and asked for their opinions on contact lenses, glasses and laser eye surgery.

The study found 35 per cent failed the eye test, with 33 per cent of the failures saying they were "not surprised".

Dr McNicholas said this revealed many people - including nurses, dentists and even a taxi driver - had taken a conscious decision not to have their vision corrected.

She also noted that 65 per cent of those who failed drove cars.