Launched to coincide with Road Safety Week (17 – 23 November), the Driver Eyecare eVoucher is designed for employees who drive in the course of their work and covers a full eye examination, which assesses visual acuity (sight over distance), peripheral vision and the ability to focus between near and far objects – all essential for safe driving.

If the employee’s eyesight is found to be inadequate for driving, the eVoucher automatically covers the cost of appropriate glasses. If corrective glasses are not required, the employee is provided with a pair of non-prescription sunglasses.

The eye examination also offers a comprehensive health assessment, monitoring for signs of a number of sight-related conditions and broader health issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

The launch of the eVoucher follows a recent survey conducted by road safety charity, Brake, Specsavers Corporate Eyecare and insurer, RSA, which found that a quarter (25%) of drivers admitted they have not had their eyes tested in more than two years – despite research showing you can lose up to 40% of your vision before noticing the difference.

The survey also found:

• More than 1.5 million UK drivers (4%) have never had their eyes tested
• One in eight (12%) have not had their eyes tested for more than five years

Suzanne Randall, corporate account manager for Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, says: ‘Poor eyesight is obviously a huge risk to all road users and the figures show that it is often not addressed. Loss of sight can occur very gradually and can easily go unnoticed by the individual. With employers having a duty of care for all employees, providing regular eyecare is the best way for an employer to safeguard their drivers and themselves.’

The Driver Eyecare eVoucher is available online, as are all of Specsavers’ corporate vouchers. The employer simply purchases a minimum of any five vouchers from the Specsavers website and can then manage all aspects of the related eyecare online, including the distribution of the eVouchers to relevant employees.