The poor take up of free eye examinations in Wales by ethnic minorities, which may lead to unnecessary blindness, has been highlighted by BBC News.
While black minority and ethnic groups are up to six times more likely to suffer conditions that could lead to blindness, they are three times less likely to seek treatment. Cardiff University's head of the school of optometry and vision sciences, Professor Tim Wess said that the situation was of serious concern.
The story flagged up the fact that, despite at-risk groups having access to free eye tests since 2000, 'and Wales enjoying among the best optometry and ophthalmology services in the UK, take up of preventive care remains unaltered'.
Professor Wess a member of Minority Ethnic Groups Association for Ophthalmic Care Uptake and Service Improvement in Wales (Megafocus), which brings together healthcare professionals, community leaders and politicians, said the reasons for people staying away were complex. 'Many people we've spoken to are simply confused between opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists. They weren't aware that they could access a free sight test and have problems diagnosed by an optometrist at any high street opticians, without a referral from a GP.'
He told Optician that Megafocus was migrating to be a Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) supported organisation. 'The structure of Megafocus will now be supported by WAG. We hope that we can then identify exciting ways that we can work with the assembly to take this all important agenda forwards.'