MPs are told sight loss is set to double

On 30 November a parliamentary reception was hosted by the Eye Health Alliance in the Strangers’ Dining Room, House of Commons, to promote the importance of eye health and the need for joined-up action across the UK.

Various MPs with responsibility for health were in attendance and Rat Hon Kevin Barron MP, Chair of the Health Select Committee, said, "Approximately 100 people start to lose their sight every day – half of which is preventable."

"Working together we can stop more people needlessly going blind by encouraging people to have regular sight tests so that eye conditions are detected and treated early. This important public health message must be taken seriously by national and local government, primary care trust commissioners, health and social care professionals and their patients."

To emphasise further the importance of the UK Vision Strategy (UKVS) and its call for co-ordinated action, a short film was screened. Introduced by UKVS Programme Director Anita Lightstone, the film provided MPs with an emotional glimpse into the lives of people with sight loss.

Anita Lightstone asked attendees to read the Strategy and challenge those responsible for eye care service delivery.

"We have to take action now to ensure that all preventable sight loss is indeed prevented, and to provide better services for individuals who have vision problems."

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

What is the UK Vision Strategy?

Launched in 2008, the UK Vision Strategy aims to make a real and lasting difference to eye health services across the UK. The UK Vision Strategy is a Vision 2020 UK initiative led by RNIB. Over 650 individuals and organisations have played a direct role in developing the Strategy and clear goals have been outlined in detailed implementation plans for each of the four UK countries.

Developed in response to the World Health Assemblies VISION 2020 resolution, the Strategy aims to reduce avoidable sight loss by the year 2020 and improve support and services for blind and partially sighted people.