Concern on eye exam take up

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'.