Sight loss of dementia patients is highlighted

Optical bodies have submitted written evidence to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia highlighting the link between dementia and sight loss and expressing their disappointment at its exclusion in the National Dementia Strategy published last month.

As reported in Optician (February 19), charities including the Thomas Pocklington Trust, hit out at the Department of Health (DoH) for its failure to mention sight loss and the role it plays in people with dementia in the national policy document. The policy was also criticised for its failure to recognise the value of 'other professionals' involved in the care of dementia patients such as dispensing opticians and optometrists.