There will be a 27 per cent rise in the number of people living with sight loss in the UK by 2035, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) predicts.
On World Sight Day, today, the charity is calling on the government to make eye health a priority.
Based on current prevalence and future population projections, an estimated 2.8 million people across the UK will be living with sight loss in the next eleven years. That means one in five people will experience sight loss. By 2050 the number affected will double to over four million.
There’s also likely to be a 29 per cent increase in the number of people with severe sight loss or being registered blind by 2035, from 298,000 in 2022 to 379,000, the RNIB states.
The drivers include an increase in life expectancy and an ageing population. Lengthy waiting times for diagnosis and treatment, and an increase in the number of people living with diabetes are also factors.
RNIB chief executive, Matt Stringer, said: “Prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of common sight conditions are key to reducing the number of people who will experience sight loss in their lifetime.”
The charity is calling on the government to prioritise eye health to stop avoidable problems. It must ensure everyone is getting the right support at the right time.
Matt says the government in England must develop a national eyecare plan to “fix delays in eyecare” and promote regular eye examinations to pick up early signs of sight-threatening conditions.
He added: “Regular eye tests are crucial in preventing avoidable sight loss. They’re essential for everyone, even if you think your eyesight is fine, as many conditions that can be picked up in a routine eye test, begin with no obvious symptoms and often sight conditions can be treated if detected early enough.”
Visit www.rnib.org.uk to find out more. Patients can call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999.