RNIB warns that sight problems will double

Britain is facing a sight-loss 'time bomb' and needs a Government-appointed eye health chief to stem a growing number of optical problems.
This was the message from the RNIB in the week it hosted a global conference on vision in London.
The charity warned that the number of Britons with sight problems would double over the next 20 years, as it launched the world's largest ever gathering on sight-loss, 'Vision 2005'.
One in six people in the UK will develop a sight problem by the age of 75, said the RNIB, but the Government is still failing to address the situation, leaving the country facing the effects of chronic under-investment in prevention, treatment and support, it added.
Lesley-Anne Alexander, RNIB chief executive, said: 'The nation is facing a sight-loss time bomb. Sight-loss increases dramatically as people get older and as an effect of the ageing of our population the number of people with sight problems is likely to double over the next 20 years.'
Research carried out last year showed that sight-loss was costing the nation 4.9bn annually through lost productivity, higher social care and social security costs, she commented, and that this was to increase as the population continued to age.
'The Government needs to act now,' Alexander said. 'The RNIB wants to see additional expenditure of 420m per year to improve treatment for long-term eye conditions such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and social care and support for independent living.
'We would also like a chief eye health officer appointed to lead on developing a framework for high-quality services across health and social care as well as a Government-supported eye health campaign on the importance of regular eye tests. We can't stress enough the importance of regular eye tests for everyone as they really can in many cases be the difference between someone losing their sight or not.'
She said the RNIB wanted sight-loss to move 'up the political agenda'.
'People who lose their sight must be provided with improved employment opportunities, enhanced extra cost benefits and easier access to information in the right format.'
Vision 2005 was expected to attract up to 2,000 experts and professionals from over 70 countries. Attendees included the Duke of Westminster, David Blunkett MP, health minister Rosie Winterton, and broadcaster and BBC disability correspondent Peter White.