Glaucoma warning

Sir Trevor McDonald has given his backing to the first ever World Glaucoma Day (WGD), which takes place on March 6.

The day marks a joint global initiative of the World Glaucoma Association and the World Glaucoma Patient Association and aims to put the spotlight on glaucoma, which affects up to half a million people in the UK.

Sir Trevor has focused his attention on highlighting the importance of early detection of glaucoma. He urges people to have an eye test before it's too late. 'Don't delay, make March 6, the day that you find out if you are one in half a million, get an eye test,' he said.

Organisers are also urging optometrists to become involved in activities taking place on World Glaucoma Day such as increasing the availability of information on glaucoma to the public and encouraging them to have their eyes tested to aid early detection.