Scots warned vision problems will rise

The number of Scots with visual impairment will more than double over the next 25 years as a result of high rates of diabetes, smoking and poor health as well as an ageing population, according to RNIB Scotland.

The number of people in Scotland suffering some degree of visual impairment (which the charity predicts will rise to approximately 400,000 by 2033) is one of a number of challenges to be addressed by the Vision 2020 strategy launched in the Scottish parliament on September 3.

Highlighting the problems facing eye care in Scotland, RNIB Scotland director John Legg claimed that together 'smoking and obesity can double sight loss'.