Isle of Wight MP Andrew Turner visited Hazel Smiths Opticians in Shanklin last week and called on constituents to look after their vision by having regular eye tests.
Senior optometrist and practice owner Hazel Smith explained the health benefits of regular eye tests.
A local scheme for patients with suspected glaucoma has reduced unnecessary referrals to St Mary's Hospital by over 70 per cent, with a similar scheme to be rolled out island-wide.
Turner said: 'I was amazed at the wide variety of services that opticians can now offer. I was not aware beforehand of the impact that regular eye tests could have on hospital referrals and that some opticians are now doing work which would otherwise have to be carried out at St Mary's.'
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