Over 50 per cent of sight loss is avoidable in the UK and GPs are in a unique position to identify those most at risk and prevent unnecessary sight loss from occurring. This step-by-step guide explains why preventing sight loss is important and how you can help prevent the most common causes of blindness in susceptible patients.
Why prevent sight loss?
It might seem like an obvious question. In the past, the case for intervention has been largely based on moral grounds: sight loss has an overwhelmingly negative impact on people's quality of life, all too often leading to isolation and depression. (
Reference 1.)
However, an increasing body of evidence shows there is also a compelling economic reason for preventing vision loss. In 2008, sight loss in the UK led to £1.8 billion in health costs and £2 billion in informal care costs. (
Reference 1.)
See the full range of research in this area.