Eyesight problems are common

But by doing so they are putting themselves and others at risk.

The study, of just under 1,000 adults who had not had eyesight correction, found many put off wearing contact lens or glasses even when they suspected they might need them.

The figures suggest that as many as 2.5m Britons who should be seeking help for eyesight problems have failed to do so.

Each person was given a basic eye test, and asked for their opinions on contact lens, glasses and laser eye surgery.

More than one in three (35%) failed the eye test - but of these 33% said they were not surprised, and, worryingly, 65% were car drivers.

Researcher Dr June McNicholas, a psychologist at Warwick University, said the results suggested that many people had taken a conscious decision not to have their vision corrected.

Misconceptions

She said: "We found that many people have a fear of contact lenses based on the idea that they haven't changed since the hard lenses of the 60s.

"And when it comes to glasses, many of us still labour with the idea of NHS spectacle designs of the same era."

The study found that 78% of people cited discomfort as a reason why they would not wear contact lenses, while 67% thought they would be a hassle and 60% believed they would pose a risk to their eyes.

But Dr McNicholas said: "These beliefs bear no reflection on reality.

"Recent advances in contact lens manufacture and the development of new hydrogel materials now make it almost impossible to know you're wearing lenses within a couple of minutes of first putting them in."

With glasses, 73% thought they would find them irritating to wear, while 52% did not like the way spectacles made them look.

Asked about laser eye surgery, 73% said it was too expensive, 37% thought it was too risky and 52% said they did not like the idea of surgery on their eyes.

Dr McNicholas said: "We know that half the UK population wear one form of vision correction or other, but if you thought the other half all have good eyesight you'd be very wrong indeed."