A BURNHAM-on-Sea optometrist is urging residents to have their eyes regularly checked in a bid to reduce the risk of glaucoma.

David Bull, owner of David Bull Optometrists in Burnham said glaucoma is the ‘silent thief of vision’.

He is encouraging people to get their eyes checked as part of National Glaucoma Awareness Week.

Glaucoma is when the optic nerve becomes damaged, and can lead to loss of vision.

Mr Bull said: “It is estimated that 600,000 people in the UK have the disease with half of those remaining undiagnosed as they are unaware of its effects.

“Having good vision does not necessarily mean that your eyes are healthy.”

Glaucoma is one of the main causes of preventable blindness in the UK.

In its early stages glaucoma doesn’t show any symptoms but it can lead to blindness.

Mr Bull added: “Three simple, painless tests can help diagnosis.”

For more information visit glaucoma.org.