Vision Express calls on community to prioritise sight, amid reports that over 22,000 local residents are living with sight loss

The new ‘Vision Express at Tesco’ store in Helston has officially opened its doors with a celebration led by local MP, Derek Thomas – as results indicate a worrying outlook for eye health in the region.

Derek, MP for West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, was on hand to help cut the ribbon on the premises and joined the store’s optical team to encourage the community to get regular eye tests.

“Eye health is a growing issue for our local community, buoyed by an ageing population so I would encourage everyone to have a regular eye test,” said Derek. “The reality is that whatever age we are, it’s important we look after our eye sight so following my visit to Vision Express, I’ve been challenged to book an eye test, which is something I’ve not previously considered. It’s important because a reported 22,000 residents in Cornwall are living with sight impairment – yet almost half of all vision loss is preventable if people get that all-important sight check. Up to 40% of sight can be lost before it is noticed, and the power to protect our vision for life, is in our own hands.”

It is estimated that almost 3,000 road casualties each year in the UK are down to poor driver eyesight. In Devon & Cornwall alone, a total of 25 driving licences have been revoked or refused by the DVLA since 2013, due to the motorists’ vision not meeting the legal standard required to get behind the wheel.

The Helston optical store is among the first 90 ‘Vision Express at Tesco’ outlets to launch, following Vision Express’ acquisition of more than 200 Tesco Opticians stores at the end of 2017.

The store showcases a purple-infused rebrand being introduced across the entire Vision Express chain. The re-brand introduces a refreshed logo and striking purple and green colour decor, featuring bright sofas and wooden flooring, delivering a modern, inviting and vibrant environment to encourage customers to feel at ease.

Vision Express CEO Jonathan Lawson added: “This is a hugely exciting time for the Vision Express family, and we’re delighted to welcome new team members to the company and provide a seamless eye health service to former Tesco optical customers.

“Crucially, we’re pleased to now be able to offer our vision expertise in convenient locations to residents. With over 184,000 suspected cases of glaucoma in South West England, safeguarding our sight through regular eye exams with a trusted optician has never been more important.”