WEST Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox has called on his constituents to look after their eyesight by having regular eye tests.

After a visit to Bill Opticians in Tavistock last Friday (March 7), Mr Cox found out why regular eye tests were so important in preventing blindness.

Practice owner of Bill Opticians, Charles Bill, showed Mr Cox around his opticians and explained the health benefits of regular eye tests.

Mr Bill said: 'Prevention is better than cure! It's amazing to think that such sight loss still occurs in the UK which is preventable.'

Mr Cox said: 'I was delighted to visit this local business in Tavistock, and enjoyed a useful and instructive discussion with the Devon Local Optical Committee. My visit helped to clarify just how important it is for everyone to have regular eye tests, especially as they can also reveal a range of potential medical problems such as diabetes.'

Two million people in the UK are living with sight loss, but early detection through regular eye tests maintains good eye health. Many groups of people are entitled to free NHS sight tests, including those aged 60 and over, all children under 16 and those on low incomes.