quarter of a million people with undiagnosed Glaucoma in the UK

Letter to Editors from Sir Trevor McDonald OBE
Are You 1 in Half a Million?
There are half a million people in the UK with Glaucoma, half of
whom don't know they have the condition and are at risk of losing
their sight unnecessarily. Untreated, Glaucoma leads to
irreversible sight loss; if caught early enough Glaucoma can be
treated, preventing sight loss.
Thursday 6th March is the first World Glaucoma Day. Organisations
such as the Glaucoma Alliance UK are raising awareness of
Glaucoma, what it does to sight and how it might affect you.
So, are you one of the quarter of a million people with
undiagnosed Glaucoma in the UK? Without an eye test you won't
find out until it's too late, Glaucoma doesn't have any symptoms in
its early stages; people can lose up to 40% of their sight before
they realise they have a problem.
Many people are entitled to receive free eye tests. People who are
over 40 and have a close relative with Glaucoma, have diabetes,
are aged 60 or over, who live in Scotland or who themselves or
their partner receive benefits, family credit, pension credit, are all
entitled.
Don't delay, make 6th March, World Glaucoma Day, the day that
you find out if you are 1 in half a million, get an eye test.
Yours faithfully,
Sir Trevor McDonald OBE