MSP PRESSES FOR TARGETED EYE HEALTH STRATEGY TO COMBAT WORRYING SIGHT LOSS PREDICTIONS

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 24th Jun 2010

Jim Hume, Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland, today quizzed the Health Minister on the need for action to be taken to implement a health strategy aimed at tackling worrying projections which indicate that the number of people with sight loss could double by 2030.

The MSP has backed the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) in its calls for the Scottish Government to introduce a strategy of early intervention and diagnosis.

Jim Hume said:

"The RNIB released some worrying figures in the last fortnight which indicate that the number of people with sight loss could double by 2030.

"That's a staggering prediction, but we know targeted early intervention and good access to services can be a significant part of the answer.

"The fact is that early diagnosis can prevent up to 98% of severe sight loss and the earlier the treatment, the more likely it is to be effective."

ENDS