AN Uxbridge optician has spoken out about the dangers of glaucoma as part of National Glaucoma Awareness Week, which began on Monday.

 There are 7,660 people in Uxbridge and Hillingdon living with sight loss, with the number forecast to rise to nearly 9,830 by 2030.

Glaucoma, which is sometimes called the silent thief of sight, is the third main cause of blindness in the world and many people do not know they have it.

Ekta Kumar, director at Specsavers in Uxbridge, said: “Glaucoma is on the rise and we don’t have a cure. Early detection, however can make the condition easier to manage, which is just one of the reasons opticians recommend getting an eye test at least every two years.

“We’ve invested in hospital-grade equipment, which can not only detect this condition sooner but also helps to local hospitals, which can have long waiting lists.”