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A worrying 525,000 older people in the region are risking their sight by not having regular eye tests.

A report by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) based on a national survey of 5,000 over-60s, found nearly half (46 per cent) in the South West are failing to have annual eye exams.

RNIB is urging all over-60s to have comprehensive eye tests each year and is calling on the Government to invest in a large-scale eye health awareness campaign targeting older people.

A comprehensive eye test can detect conditions such as glaucoma, wet AMD (age-related macular degeneration) and diabetic retinopathy early enough to get treatment before any permanent damage is done.

If left untreated, these conditions can lead to blindness.

RNIB spokesperson for the South West, Gill Cowsill, said: "Our message to people over 60 is simple: Don't wait until you notice changes in your vision to visit your optician - get your eyes tested every year.

"An eye test will detect the early stages of a serious condition and could save your sight. Age is the highest risk factor in developing some of the most common eye conditions (AMD, glaucoma and cataracts) that can lead to blindness.

"By the time we're 60, one in 12 of us will have developed a sight problem, by the time we are 75 it is as many as one in six!"

She added: "Our research shows that over 70 percent of people understand the main purpose of an eye test is to check the general health of the eye or detect eye disease early.

"However, this didn't necessarily translate into people getting regular eye tests. Those people we asked who hadn't had an eye test in the last two years still cited not having had any problems with my eyes' as the main reason for not having an eye test.

"It's too dangerous to leave an eye test until you notice something's wrong. Early-stage glaucoma, for example, has no symptoms and up to 40 per cent of sight can be lost before you realise anything is wrong."

Even small deteriorations in older people's sight can put their health and wellbeing at risk. Sight loss increases the likelihood of trips and falls which can lead to broken bones, hip fractures and hospitalisation.

Poor sight can also mean someone misreads the tiny writing on their medicine bottles and takes an incorrect dose of their medication.

Shockingly, over half of people over 75 who are living with sight loss that affects their ability to do everyday things, simply need new glasses or a routine cataract operation to restore their full sight.

RNIB's report gives three main reasons why older people aren't getting their eyes tested as frequently as they should: they don't think there is anything wrong with their eyes; they think that the cost of glasses is too high; and for those over the age of 80, they can't get to an eye test easily.

Gill Cowsill said: "Many people don't know that the cost of glasses or getting to an eye test needn't be a barrier to having an eye test.

"If you're on a low income or on benefits you could be entitled to an NHS voucher to help towards the cost of glasses.

"And anyone who has difficulty getting out to have an eye test can have an optician visit them at home. All you need to do is contact your local optician who can either provide this service or refer you to another optician who does."

For more information call RNIB's Helpline on 0845 766 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk.

2:40pm Sunday 16th September 2007

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