Eye Health (Adult)

• Wirral has an ageing population and as a consequence there is potential for increased demands on local eye services and any related support as the prevalence of the major eye conditions likely increases

• People living with sight loss can struggle with everyday tasks such as mobility and travel, reading, writing and using new technology 

• More than 2 million people in the UK could be living with some form of sight loss

• It is suggested that 50% of sight loss is avoidable if detected and treated early enough – prevention services and health promotion messages play a major part in meeting this need

• Costs (direct or indirect) associated with sight loss are suggested to be over £.6.5 billion a year for the UK and over £16 million for Wirral

• A range of health related issues that impact and are impacted upon by sight loss – these include smoking, obesity, stroke, hypertension, dementia, falls and mental health/depression

• People living on low incomes and in areas of deprivation can be more at risk of sight loss as there is a tendency not to have regular eye tests and/or access support services

• Other groups at risk of sight loss and eye health issues are those people with a learning disability and people from a black and minority ethnic group  

• Wirral has over 10,000 people (estimate) living with some form of sight loss, or almost 3.5% of the local population and this is estimated to rise to almost 15,000 by 2030

• Wirral performs worse than England and other Merseyside and North West areas for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma and sight loss registrations but has a lower rate of diabetic eye disease

• Early detection is key to avoidable sight loss and costs for future care. However figures suggest that only 2 in 5 over 60s and 1 in 4 children and young people had a NHS eye test in 2012/13

• Local commissioners are working with service providers, vested interest organisations and local people to maintain and develop current and future eye health services

• Local support services and care pathways provide vital links for people seeking diagnosis and support

• Eye Health (Adults) (October 2014)

• Eye Health (Children & Young People) (July 2015)

• Wirral Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme Health Equity Audit (Period January to December 2013 then published May 2014)

• Cheshire Warrington & Wirral Eye Health Needs Assessment (February 2015)
  This was completed at the request of the Local Professional Network for Eye Health. it supplements our local Eye Health section (above)

UK Vision Strategy (Refreshed to run to 2021)
The England Vision Strategy is part of Vision UK’s country led approach and encompasses the Seeing It My Way outcomes for adults and children. The England Vision Strategy has identified six priorities until 2021 as the key building blocks for change both nationally and locally.