Eye surgeons target lockdown’s legacy
Mr Allon Barsam
A year of working from home has enabled six million commuters to save £145 a month on average, enough to pay for life-changing surgery and be free of glasses and contact lenses, according to a group of consultant ophthalmic surgeons.
In a poll of 2,000 workers, OCL Vision eye clinics – formerly Ophthalmic Consultants of London – found that 39% feel their eyes are suffering from the increased screen time, with eye strain emerging as a common problem.
It said the ongoing cost and hassle of wearing contacts or glasses prompted almost two-thirds of people with vision problems to say they would like to be rid of them for good.
OCL Vision consultant laser surgeon Mr Allon Barsam said: ‘Our research reveals that nearly two-thirds of glasses and contact lens wearers want to be rid of them, so it’s exciting to think that so many now have the option to turn a pretty grim year into a positive legacy: permanently better eyesight.’
The company said laser surgery typically costs around £2,000 per eye, but with a range of finance options available,it has launched an interactive tool to help people decide if the sums add up for them.
By inputting what they spend on glasses or contacts, users ‘can see at a glance if it’s worth making the leap to laser – and correcting their eyesight for good’, it said.