Being Bothered About Employee Eye Health

ANDOVER, England -

ANDOVER, England, November 9 /PRNewswire/ –

Over two-fifths (43%) of computer-users are unaware their employer could help them with costs towards eye care, according to a new survey commissioned by sight charity The Eyecare Trust and healthcare provider Simplyhealth for National Eye Week (9-15 November 2009). These findings highlight the need for employers to effectively communicate the support available for employees to help look after their eye health.

James Glover from Simplyhealth says: “Since health and safety legislation came into effect in 1993, employers have had an obligation to protect the eyesight of employees who regularly use a computer screen for periods of over one hour, sometimes less, per day. This includes paying for regular sight tests and glasses if the optometrist prescribes them specifically for computer use.

“Our research has shown that the age group least likely to know whether they are entitled to a sight test is those people entering the workplace for the first time, the 16-24 year olds (58%). Yet interestingly, the age group most likely to know their entitlements is 25-34 years (with only 35% unaware). This legislation is in place to help look after employees and protect employers, but if it is not being communicated effectively then neither party can feel the benefit. Employers need to spread awareness of this policy and National Eye Week is the perfect time to do so.”

Iain Anderson, Chairman of the Eyecare Trust says: “We recommend that employees have an eye examination every two years, unless advised otherwise by an optometrist. As well as providing a valuable insight into the health of the eyes, a sight test also acts an essential general health check uncovering a number of other underlying health problems such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and an increased risk of stroke”.

James adds: “As well as communicating policies in place to support employee health and wellbeing, employers should also be aware that there are cash plans, such as those from Simplyhealth that can help cover their duty of care responsibilities, are cost effective and add value to employees’ salary package. The Simply Cash Plan enables employees to go for a regular eye test while offering money back, up to an annual limit, on other health benefits such as dental care, and complementary therapies.”

For more information on National Eye Week, please visit www.nationaleyeweek.co.uk or www.eyecaretrust.org.uk. To find out more about the wide range of health plans available from Simplyhealth please visit www.simplyhealth.co.uk.

Notes to Editor

- Previously known as HSA, BCWA, LHF, HealthSure and Totally Active, our family of health companies have joined together over the last years to form Simplyhealth - At Simplyhealth, we have been providing healthcare solutions for nearly 140 years, dedicated to serving our customers through a variety of cash plans, dental plans, private medical insurance, healthcare trusts and mobility and living aids - Simplyhealth is a trading name of Simplyhealth Access, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority - As of December 2008, Simplyhealth had 1,388,330 customers providing cover for some 2.5 million people - Simplyhealth is committed in its constitution to making a positive impact on its communities. Each year, we help health related charities and causes to the tune of at least GBP1million

For further information, please contact:

www.simplyhealth.co.uk/media-centre

Source: Simplyhealth and The Eyecare Trust

Abby Bowman, Senior Brand and PR Manager, Caroline Lakeman, Public Relations Executive +44(0)1264-342570, Rebecca Jeremy, Public Relations Assistant +44(0)1264-342400, or pr at simplyhealth.co.uk