More than 1.9 million diabetics and 250,000 early-stage glaucoma patients risk blindness due to lack of proper awareness according to a report published by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB). In an attempt to prevent such a disaster, a campaign called 'Open Your Eyes' has been launched in the UK.
Apart from the above-mentioned figure, another 2 million are believed to suffer from some form of visual impairment in the UK. The organization has said that 50% of vision loss can be avoided if proper care is instituted at an early stage. It further highlights the need for promotion of such campaigns by the Government.The role of vision tests in the early identification of should not be ignored. Although 9 out of 10 people confess about the fear of losing eyesight, 1 in 3 have not had a vision test over the past two years.
In addition, educating the ever-increasing diabetic population would pose a significant challenge in preserving the vision. The Government would have to be an active participant, if the task were to be accomplished successfully.
Unless and until such initiatives are taken, more than thousands of individuals, more specifically, the aging population would lose their valuable vision as a result of potentially treatable conditions.
