FIONA Bruce MP has warned constituents of the potential risks of missing opticians’ appointments, after research revealed that doing so is causing damage to high numbers of patients.

MPs and those affected by sight loss came together at a Parliamentary reception after a study showed that more than 20 patients each month suffer “severe and unnecessary” sight loss due to appointment delays.

Held by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), the reception sought to identify solutions to the capacity crisis in eye care. It highlighted the responsibility patients have to turn up to appointments.

Fiona said: “In eastern Cheshire 5.58 per cent of appointments were not attended across the 2015/16 financial year – that’s 1,683.

“I want to emphasise to my constituents the importance of timely treatment and the need to attend hospital appointments, so we might be able to dramatically reduce missed appointment rates across the country.”

She added: “Talking to a local optician, I was very impressed at how they have helped a patient who came to see them after suffering strong headaches.

“After examining their patient, the optician immediately referred the person to hospital and an operation took place within days, without which that individual would have lost their sight.”

RNIB is the UK’s leading charity offering support and information to almost two million people with sight loss.