Over 220,000 people in Ireland are blind or visially impaired and this figure is expected to jump by 20% by 2020, the National Vision Coalition has warned.

It is calling for the immediate implementation of a national vision strategy in an attempt to reduce this figure and save the healthcare system millions of euro.

Figures show that in 2010, blindness and vision impairment cost the State around €205 million, however proper investment in this area could save up to €76 million every year.

The coalition is made up of healthcare professionals, other people who work in this area and service users. They were brought together by the national sight loss agency, the NCBI, and the support group, Fighting Blindness, in 2012.

Last year, the coalition suggested recommendations for a national vision strategy and it is now calling for the immediate implementation of such a strategy. It made its call at the launch of a new report, The Economic Cost and Burden of Eye Diseases and Preventable Blindness in Ireland, which looked at the four most prevalent eye diseases in Ireland - cataract, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and wet AMD (age-related macular degeneration).

Since 2010, five people have been going blind in Ireland every single week, yet up to 80% of blindness is preventable. The report clearly states that almost €80 million could be saved every year if early intervention was prioritsed.

Such interventions include screening for diabetic retinopathy, screening for cataracts and access to surgery if required.

The coalition said that this is essential as the cost of blindness is expected to jump to €2.5 billion per year by 2030.

"We as a country need to avoid preventable blindness in the future and this report shows how cost-effective these intervention measures can be. We also need to assist those living with vision loss or impairment as best as possible by ensuring that suitable services are available and accessible," commented NCBI chief executive and joint chairperson of the coalition, Des Kenny.

Also speaking at the launch of the report, Prof Ian Banks, chairman of the European Forum Against Blindness, said that all European member states ‘need to develop a comprehensive strategy for preventable blindness, one that will call for concrete cost-effective interventions to reduce its growing burden'.

For more information on eye health, see our Eye Health Clinic here