Specsavers Corporate Eyecare has launched its first eyecare eVoucher aimed specifically at employees who drive.

The Driver Eyecare eVoucher is explicitly designed for employees who drive in the course of their work. The eVoucher covers a full eye examination, which assesses visual acuity (sight over distance), peripheral vision and the abilty 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.

Suzanne Randall, corporate account manager for Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, said: ‘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.’

Richard Coteau, senior corporate fundraiser at Brake said: “Making sure your staff’s vision is up to scratch is crucial to safe driving, and though it may seem there are plenty of excuses to put off going to the opticians, none is good enough when it comes to putting people's lives at risk. If your staff drive, it's not just their own health they are jeopardising by neglecting their eyesight, but the lives of those around them. That's why it's vital for drivers to get their eyes professionally checked at least every two years – eyesight can deteriorate rapidly without them noticing."

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 Driver Eyecare eVoucher is available online, as are all of Specsavers’ corporate vouchers. The employer simply purchases a miniumum 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.