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Some 71 percent of people questioned in a survey by Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care said they had kept their eye test appointments since the first lockdown.

Of these, 47 percent said that their prescriptions had changed for the worse.

Two thirds of the people who took part also reported increased screen time for watching TV, shopping, work, homeschool, gaming and using social media.

Almost half of the people polled in a Haywards Heath optician's customer survey found that their eyesight had become worse during the Covid-19 pandemic. Picture: Limegreen Communications

Rachel East, manager of the Scrivens branch on South Road, said: “It is important to keep appointments for eye tests as they detect not only changes in our vision but are also a means of checking general health too.”

“We are open as an essential healthcare provider with Covid-secure measures in place so people can access our services safely,” she added.

Three quarters of those who did not take up eye test reminders said it was because they were concerned about Covid.

“As restrictions ease and life returns to normal, we hope people will feel more confident about having their eyes checked, especially if they have noticed any differences in their vision,” said Rachel.

She added that it is important for people to take regular breaks from their screens to reduce the risk of eye strain.

“For those who wear glasses or contact lenses it is advisable to keep prescriptions up to date,” she said.

Family business Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care was established in 1938 and has 174 branches.

Visit scrivens.com to find out more.

Survey at Haywards Heath opticians shows half of customers have worse eyesight after lockdown