Reflections on sight loss - RNIB

Cost oversight
Given the massive cost to individuals and
society of sight loss, we should be spending
much more. It is also clear that the numbers at
risk of eye disease will rise sharply over the
next decade. To ensure that the burden of
sight loss, both to the individual and to
society, is contained, and has a possibility of
falling, we have to invest more in early
detection and access to treatment.
This is the message that RNIB will be taking
to both health service commissioners and
politicians over the coming months. There is
not only a strong moral case for investing in
the prevention and treatment of eye disease
but also a powerful economic one. In the past
we have had to rely mainly on the moral
argument. The new evidence that we have
from Access Economics and EpiVision provides
clear support for a ‘spend to save’ approach in
this area.
Key areas of concern are:
● While waiting times for first appointments
have eased due to the 18-week rule,
cancellation and delays of follow-up
appointments represent a major problem,
particularly in glaucoma. Take-up of
diabetic retinopathy screening in some
areas is poor, and the introduction of new
treatments for wet age-related macular
degeneration has created significant
capacity problems in some areas of the
country.
●
Low vision and rehabilitation services
remain of variable quality across the UK –
good in some areas and virtually
non-existent in others. There is concern
that the introduction of new resource
allocation systems associated with the
Government’s current proposals on the
future of social care may result in further
exclusion of blind and partially sighted
people from state-funded care.
●
Government continues to spend next to
nothing on ensuring that key eye health
messages are conveyed to the public. Most
people who do not have regular eye tests
are unaware that an eye test is a vital eye
health check that can identify disease well
before a person’s sight is affected. Few
people are aware of the proven link
between smoking and sight loss. And,
shockingly, almost one million people in the
UK live with varying degrees of sight loss
due to refractive error, when all they need is
an eye test to ensure they wear the right
prescription glasses or lenses.
We need greater investment in all of these
areas. No longer can we overlook the costs of
sight loss. The moral and economic case is just
too strong.
“The results indicate that the
most cost-effective campaign is
likely to be one that targets
minority ethnic groups”
References
Winyard, S. & McLaughlan, B, 2009: Cost
oversight? The costs of eye disease and
sight loss in the UK today and in the future.
RNIB.
Access Economics, 2009: Future sight loss
in the UK – The economic impact of partial
sight and blindness in the UK adult
population. RNIB.
EpiVision, 2009: Future sight loss in the UK
– An epidemiological and economic model
for sight loss in the decade 2010-2020
(2009). RNIB.
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