Government recognises currently levels of sight loss as 'unacceptable'

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Organisations working in the field of eye health have welcomed the government's commitment to preventing of sight loss.

"Preventable sight loss" has been included as a public health indicator in the Public health outcomes framework for England, for 2013-2016, 'Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Improving outcomes and supporting transparency'.

The indicator will measure the number of people losing their sight from the three main causes of preventable sight loss: glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy.

Without action, it is estimated that there will be 2.45 million people living with sight loss in the UK by 2020 and 4 million by 2050.

Member Response: David Hewlett, Optical Confederation

"We have been stressing the priority of eye health through the UK Vision Strategy Partnership for some years now as well as highlighting the vital role that the nation’s optometrists and dispensing opticians play, with hospital colleagues, in improving sight and preventing visual impairment through early detection and treatment. This indicator will provide the focus that has previously been missing for NHS commissioners and Joint Health and Wellbeing Boards to work together, and with us, to tackle these public health challenges. The government is to be congratulated for recognising that the current levels of avoidable blindness are not acceptable and for taking action to tackle them."

Member Response: Royal College of Ophthalmologists

"We have collectively maintained that sight plays a crucial role in determining the quality of life of individuals of all ages irrespective of any other ailment they may concurrently suffer from. We are therefore delighted that, for the first time, an eye health indicator has been included in the assessment of public health. We can now hope and expect that this indicator will focus attention and resources on prevention of sight loss thus improving the nation's health and quality of life."

Member Response: Lesley-Anne Alexander, Chair, UK Vision Strategy partnership and chief executive, RNIB

"We are delighted the Government has turned the spotlight on improving the eye health of the nation. This is a major breakthrough for tackling avoidable sight loss.

"It should help prevent many more people from losing their sight and could potentially make significant savings for the new NHS. We look forward to working closely with the new NHS and Public Health England to make this vision a reality."

Member Response: Helen Jackman, CEO, Macular Disease Society

"Eye health has had too low a profile for many years. This is a very welcome move on the part of the Government. As our population ages many more people are at risk of age-related macular degeneration and it is vital that health and care organisations plan for the future. The health indicator gives them a helpful tool to do this."

Member Response: Dr Cindy Tromans, President of the College of Optometrists

"The Government has set us all a great new challenge. Working together with the NHS and local authorities, optometrists can make today’s announcement a real turning point in the fight against preventable sight loss."