Do Eye Tests Cost or Save Money?
Certainly, free eye tests save money for individuals who don’t need to pay for their vision tests. Do they cost the nation, though, or do they save money on that larger scale as well? According to the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, free eye tests represent a significant saving to society as a whole. Before visiting your Optician you can carry out a simple eye test online which should give you a good idea of whether you need a test or not. The apparent paradox is simply explained: Regular eye exams catch potential eye health problems early, when they can be treated with less expense. In 2010, roughly 2 million people took advantage of Scotland’s NHS vision testing. Of these, about 80,000 were referred on for treatments that can save sight now, reducing potential costs for more aggressive treatments later and for support for individuals who lose their sight. Whilst the Green Party is sometimes attacked for “pie in the sky” thinking when they promote ideas such as reintrodu
