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<p>The Government takes the concerns around reported avoidable sight loss very seriously.
Following the All Party Parliamentary Group on Eye Health and Visual Impairment’s
‘See the Light’ report, initial meetings have been held with key stakeholders to discuss
the Department and NHS England’s response to the report’s recommendations and these
discussions are ongoing.</p><p> </p><p>Two key initiatives, Getting it Right First
Time being led by NHS Improvement and the Elective Care Transformation Programme being
led by NHS England have considered, as part of their programmes, what can be done
to ensure patients do not suffer unnecessary delays in follow-up care for ophthalmology.</p><p>
</p><p>Action is also being taken to reduce sight loss caused by medical conditions.
On diabetic retinopathy, a common complication of diabetes which can lead to sight
loss, a diabetic retinopathy screening programme led by Public Health England offered
screening to 2.4 million eligible people in 2015/16.</p><p> </p><p>Early detection
is also key and free National Health Service sight tests are available to those at
increased risk of eye disease or likely to be deterred from seeking private tests
on grounds of cost.</p>
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