For Family & Carers
Signs your elderly parent needs an eye test
Short answer: Common signs an elderly parent needs an eye test include bumping into furniture or door frames, missing steps on stairs, holding books, phones or TV remotes very close to the face, complaining of glare or struggling to read in normal light, mixing up medication, becoming withdrawn from reading or hobbies they used to enjoy, and increased falls. Any sudden change in vision should be checked the same day.
Eight everyday warning signs
- Bumping into things. Door frames, furniture, kerbs — particularly on the same side each time — can point to a loss of peripheral vision (one of the first signs of glaucoma).
- Missing steps. Hesitating at the top of stairs, or stepping short on a kerb, often means depth perception is changing.
- Holding things very close. Phones, books, the TV remote, food on a plate — held closer than usual suggests reading vision has slipped.
- Struggling in normal light. Asking for "more light" to read, or complaining the room is dim when others find it bright, is common with early cataracts.
- Glare problems. Headlights at night, sunlight through a window or kitchen spotlights becoming uncomfortable — another cataract sign.
- Medication mix-ups. Confusing pills of similar shape or colour, or struggling to read labels, is often a vision issue rather than a memory issue.
- Withdrawing from hobbies. Stopping reading, crosswords, knitting or watching TV in favour of radio is a quiet but important signal.
- More frequent falls. Vision loss is one of the most under-recognised causes of falls in the over-70s.
Sudden changes — act today
Don't wait if your parent describes a sudden change: a "curtain" across the vision, flashes of light, new floaters, sudden double vision, or sudden severe eye pain. Contact an optometrist the same day or call NHS 111 out of hours.
Booking a test if they can't get out
If your parent struggles to leave the house, they almost certainly qualify for a fully NHS-funded home eye test. You can book on their behalf — call us on 0800 654 6934 and we'll handle the rest.
Source: Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) guidance on sight in older adults; NHS England eye health resources.
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