CARE home residents in Penarth could be suffering in silence due to deteriorating eye health and complex medical needs.

Almost a quarter of a million people living in UK care homes could unknowingly have an eye condition, which could lead to permanent sight loss if not spotted and treated in time.

Specsavers in Penarth called for equal access to eye care for all, especially those in care homes who can face extra challenges accessing care.

Dawn Roberts, Specsavers home visits clinical director, said: “Maintaining good vision is a key part of any person’s quality of life, but perhaps more so for care home residents because they often have limited mobility and so most of their hobbies and pastimes will involve visual tasks.

“Sight loss can be very isolating and for those already struggling with memory problems or dementia, any confusion and disorientation is exacerbated by impaired vision.

“This can lead to a loss of engagement in social activities and sometimes increased risk of falls.”

Specsavers Home Visits is celebrating its 10-year anniversary, as it carries out the same standard of eye tests in people's homes that are found in Specsavers stores, but with a few changes and specialist equipment to make them home-friendly.

In the past year alone, the team of mobile opticians have dispensed more than a quarter of a million glasses to those who can’t leave their homes unaccompanied and referred more than 2,500 people in Wales for treatment to safeguard their sight.

They have also visited more than 2,100 people in Wales.

She added: “This can lead to a loss of engagement in social activities and sometimes increased risk of falls.

“Providing regular eye care can minimise or even eliminate these issues for people living in care homes allowing them to enjoy doing the things they want to do.

“Specsavers is proud to offer home visits to anybody unable to leave their home, including residents of care homes.”