MP RANIL Jayawardena has thrown his support behind The Love to See Change campaign as eye health becomes an increasing issue for people in the UK.

The campaign is aiming to raise awareness of the importance of regular eye checks on the global public health issue that uncorrected refractive error represents.

Uncorrected vision is the world’s most common disability and affects over one third of the global population.

In this country alone it is estimated that two-and-a-half-million people, approximately four per cent of the population, have uncorrected vision and a further two million people suffer from sight loss.

Many eye conditions can be treated and corrected in a timely manner through early diagnosis and medical intervention and regular eye screening is vital in managing the issue.

Mr Jayawardena said: “Regular screening is a key part of maintaining good visual health and I urge members of the public to love their eyes and get their sight checked.

“By doing so they will be not only helping themselves but will be helping to support people in parts of the world where poor visual health is a major barrier to development.”

An eyesight examination also has secondary health benefits by helping to detect other medical conditions including type 2 diabetes, a disorder which is increasingly becoming commonplace across the country.

The consequences of sight loss is estimated to cost the UK economy £28 billion per annum and the new campaign was launched to coincide with World Sight Day on October 13.

Essilor, the campaign sponsors, is calling on people worldwide to make a pledge and commit to have their eyesight checked.

For the first 100,000 pledges made between now and December 31, Essilor will donate £1 to a selection of initiatives that are bringing good vision to underprivileged or under-served populations around the world while at the same time encouraging people to become more aware of their own eye health.

• For more information on the campaign, visit www.lovetoseechange.com