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Vital role of eye tests detecting disease

Fear take-up of tests may fall with charge

A Manx charity has raised fears that proposals to charge for routine sight tests could result in serious medical conditions going undiagnosed.

The health department this week announced a raft of cost-saving measures, which include offering eye tests every two years instead of annually, and introducing a £10 fee.

The Manx Blind Welfare Society says the cost may prove a deterrent for some - and in turn, that could mean diseases detectable through eyes tests, are not identified at an early stage. 

The Society's Chief Executive Ian Cooil is urging health chiefs to look at the bigger picture: 

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