'True cost' of losing free eye tests

MAINTAINING free eye tests and encouraging a move away from unhealthy lifestyles will help to avert a "sight loss time bomb", campaigners claimed yesterday.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People gave warning that any withdrawal of universal free eye tests could lead to avoidable sight loss, which in turn would cost Scotland millions of pounds in health and social welfare costs.

Mounting pressure on public finances has sparked fears that some services, such as free eye tests, free personal care for the elderly and free prescriptions, could be at risk. Yesterday the charity stressed the importance of regular eye checks, which can pick up potentially serious illnesses including diabetes.

RNIB Scotland said that there also needed to be a focus on highlighting the links with unhealthy lifestyles. The Scottish Government said that it was committed to free NHS eye examinations.