Around one in ten patients on all NHS waiting lists are waiting to receive eye care – amounting to over 650,000 people across the UK, figures have shown.

Over two million adults are currently at risk of losing their vision due to glaucoma – the leading cause of irreversible blindness – with 250 people a year rendered unable to see as a result of the treatable condition.

And in 2022, more than a million people visited A&E to be treated for eye-related conditions – despite the fact that over half of these could have been treated by community opticians.

Sight loss, which affects over two million adults in the UK, is costing the economy £36 billion a year, according to a recent report from Specsavers.

Consequently, the high-street optometry and audiology brand is calling for a National Eye Health strategy to improve, and standardise, eye care access for everyone in England.

Dave Myers, one of the Hairy Bikers, who had early stages of glaucoma detected during an appointment at a high-street optician, and is supporting the call for an eye health strategy, said: “If the early stages of my glaucoma hadn’t been detected during an eye test, it would have progressed and I could have gone blind.

“This would have been the end of the Hairy Bikers, and massively impacted my quality of life. Not being able to see my children’s faces again would have been heartbreaking.

“Everybody should have access to eye care locally, regardless of where they live – not only to prevent avoidable sight loss, but also to detect other life-threatening conditions.

“Early detection and treatment are essential, so everyone should use their local opticians as a first port of call – they are accessible and affordable.

“I back Specsavers’ call for all parties to support the creation and implementation of a National Eye Health strategy in the next Parliament. We all need to work together to support the NHS and improve patient outcomes.”

As many as half of all people with glaucoma are undiagnosed – with the condition often referred to as the silent thief of sight, because it is usually symptomless during the first few years. However, when detected early via eye tests, glaucoma is far more treatable.

Dave added: “I take daily eye drops to manage my glaucoma, and have yearly eye tests. I can proudly say that when wearing my glasses, I have 20:20 vision – so the Hairy Bikers aren’t going anywhere any time soon.”

The data, compiled by Specsavers from NHS England, Royal College of General Practitioners, and other academic papers, also revealed the effects of the pandemic are still felt throughout the NHS – with ophthalmology being the largest and busiest outpatient service.

Marsha de Cordova, Labour MP for Battersea, and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Eye Health and Vision Impairment, has been leading the campaign in Parliament to have a strategy introduced.

She said: “Health strategies have delivered positive outcomes in Scotland, as they have in England for other diseases – but at present, England is the only country in the UK without an eye health strategy.

“A National Eye Health Strategy would improve the quality of life of people with sight loss, eliminate the postcode lottery, address health inequalities, and link up patient pathways for overall improved health outcomes.

“As someone who has been living with Nystagmus all my life – a condition which causes a repetitive and involuntary movement of the eyes – eye health is a topic close to my heart, and I believe we should make it our goal to ensure that no one loses their sight unnecessarily.”

Giles Edmonds, clinical services director at Specsavers, added: “17.5 million adults in the UK haven’t had an eye test in the past two years, as recommended.

“We support a National Eye Health Strategy, because we believe everyone should have equal access to eye care. 50% of all sight loss is avoidable, but sadly, every week five people lose their sight due to causes that could be preventable.”