Real cost of Christmas could be losing your sight, experts warn
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Cash-strapped Brits who splurged on Christmas are risking their eyesight by turning to Dr Google instead of opticians in a bid to save money, a top eye expert warns. Half a million Brits are turning to the search engine for eye health advice due to optician costs with a whopping 450,000 searches last month alone. 'Why are my eyes stinging?' and 'why do my eyeballs hurt?' are just two of the questions worried people are turning online for advice on, soaring by 60% and 50% respectively in the last three months. 'Why does my eye...' questions alone had 349,000 searches last month, a 19% increase in the last three months.
A study by Eye Health UK found that 19 million are missing regular eye tests. The potential cost of tests and prescriptions has seen more than half of low-income households avoiding regular eye tests in the last two years. But experts at online eyecare retailer Feel Good Contacts are warning people are risking their sight, and even lives, by not seeking advice from a professional.
Symptoms for serious conditions, including cancers and brain tumours, are often first spotted in the eyes, none of which can be detected by the internet. Tina Patel, a contact lens optician at Feel Good Contacts, said: "It's understandable that many people turn to quick online searches rather than prioritising a professional eye test, especially during the festive period when budgets are stretched.
"But the cost of an eye test is comparable to the price of one Christmas present, and this can help your long-term vision and overall health by diagnosing serious conditions, something a search engine can't replace. Googling your eye symptoms can feel like a quick fix, and while it's natural to want answers, it's not always reliable.
