The RNIB says glaucoma is easily preventable

According to an RNIB Cymru report, more than 25,000 people in Wales have glaucoma and 10,000 people have lost their sight through the condition.

The RNIB has urged people to have regular eye tests to prevent glaucoma.

The report, Tunnel Vision, which is published on Thursday, reveals a lack of awareness of the condition.

'No symptoms'

Joyce Chatterton, director of RNIB Cymru, said: "It is deeply concerning that so many people are needlessly losing their sight through what is essentially a treatable condition.

"Regular eye tests are vital - an eye test can save your sight.

"People need to be aware that glaucoma does not necessarily have any symptoms - up to 40% of useful sight can be lost before a person realises anything is wrong.

Regular eye is recommended to detect early glaucoma

"But if caught early enough glaucoma can, in nearly all cases, be successfully treated and no sight need be lost."

According to the RNIB's report, one in five people in Wales have never heard of the condition, while just 3% knew it could have no symptoms.

The RNIB estimates that 10,800 people in Wales have a serious sight problem as a result of glaucoma, which is also known as tunnel vision.

Cardiff pharmacist Hazel Baker, 56, said she has received regular eye tests due to a family history of glaucoma.

She added: "My optician knew about my family history and was always very thorough.

Free checks

"He spotted changes in my eyes during a regular eye check and referred me straight to a specialist.

"I had to use eye drops for four years, which kept any glaucoma I might have had under control.

"They're still not sure if I've got glaucoma, but it's reassuring to know that they're monitoring it closely."

The RNIB's survey also found that fewer than one in five people knew that people with glaucoma or those from groups especially at risk of the condition were eligible for free eye health checks under the Welsh Assembly Government's eye care initiative.

Among those eligible to free checks in Wales are people who have been referred by a GP and people whose family origins are Afro Caribbean, Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi.