Free eye test 'not a luxury'

PRESSURE on the public purse should not lead to the scrapping of free eye tests, a charity has said.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People said that cutback – which has been rumoured – would potentially harm thousands of people.

The organisation said that sight-threatening conditions such as glaucoma can also be spotted, as well as poor vision.

Director John Legg said: "Free eye tests are not a luxury, but an integral part of the work to prevent avoidable blindness."