Postcode lottery over eyesight

Thousands of people, some as young as 40, are going blind unnecessarily each year because of a " postcode lottery" of care for an easily treatable disease.

The sight of 100 people a week could be saved if NHS eye services were improved and awareness increased of the disease Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

The condition can cause people to go blind within three months. But although it can be easily treated, there is an average waiting time of six months to see a specialist, a report by the Patients Association has revealed.

Many people are going blind while waiting to see an ophthalmologist and only one per cent of health authorities offer patients a specialist appointment within a month.

One in four health authorities does not fund any treatments for AMD and half admit that their ophthalmology services are inadequate, the report found. gusts of more than 90mph were recorded on the South coast - meant damage to homes. Met Office forecaster Frank Saunders said: "There is an Atlantic storm that is not only brewing, it is brewed and it's here." He added that the main problem would be the wind.

The storm is expected to peak by lunchtime, with conditions slowly improving by this evening. However, temperatures are poised to fall, with frost and possibly snow predicted for the weekend.