Optical groups back eye health indicator

Optical groups have joined forces in calling for the government to include an eye health indicator within its Public Health Outcomes Framework.

A joint statement by RNIB, the Optical Confederation, Vision 2020 UK, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and the College of Optometrists referred to vision loss as an 'invisible public health time bomb'.

The groups called for an indicator to measure avoidable blindness caused by glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy over time - saying failure to do so would 'greatly exacerbate health inequalities'. A meeting has been set up to discuss the indicator with Anne Milton, parliamentary under secretary of state for public health.