Health chiefs in Bradford have urged pensioners to get their eyesight checked with the re-introduction of free tests today.

Free tests were axed ten years ago but research published by the Royal National Institute for the Blind has shown four out of ten people aged over 60 are unaware they are returning.

Eye-related disease increases rapidly with age, affecting two thirds of people over 70.

Eye disease caused by glaucoma and diabetes, a particular problem in Bradford, can lead to blindness if it is not treated.

One in three people over 65 have some degree of cataract but there is a very high success rate in surgery to correct it if it is detected early.

Dr Dee Kyle, director of public health at Bradford Health Authority, said she welcomed the free tests which would help early detection of eye disease.

"Anything which encourages older people to regularly have their eyes checked is very positive," she said.

Peter Atkinson, a consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Bradford Royal Infirmary, said glaucoma had no symptoms in its early stages but caused irreparable damage if it was not spotted.

Diabetes could also be detected by simple eye tests which could otherwise cause permanent damage to eyesight.

"People don't know they have glaucoma until it affects their vision and the risk of it goes up with age," he said.

"It is treatable if detected early enough but if it causes damage that cannot be reversed.

"Opticians have a big role screening for eye disease and anything that encourages people to visit them is all to the good."

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