We welcome the outcome of a debate on eye health care at the National Assembly for Wales on 19 June 2012.
Ceri Jackson, Acting Director of RNIB Cymru, said: "The motion as passed requires the Welsh Government to take a comprehensive public health approach to eye health, including improved data collection and monitoring, and to ensure all four and five year olds receive vision screening in schools. These are issues RNIB Cymru have been campaigning on for a number of years, so it was fantastic today to see them receive cross party support.
"I am in no doubt that the motion passed today will save sight. 50 per cent of sight loss is avoidable: comprehensive children's vision screening and a public health approach that increases the uptake of sight tests and raises awareness amongst at risk groups will enable more people to get the early access to treatment that can minimise or prevent permanent sight loss.
"I would like to put on record my thanks to all the Assembly Members who took part in the debate, and to the Health Minister for her support for these issues. It has taken a while to get here, but I really do feel that we're now on the cusp of some major improvements in eye health, and in sight loss prevention in particular.
"The cost of sight loss in Wales is estimated to be in excess of £325m a year; the impact on individuals can be devastating. What we saw at the Senedd today was a significant step towards addressing this challenge and it is very much to be welcomed".