The number of people living with sight loss in the UK could rise by more than a quarter in little more than decade, a charity has warned.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) said its projections show that an estimated 2.8 million people will be living with sight loss by 2035, an increase of 27 per cent.

Within the figures, the proportion of people in the UK with severe sight loss or being registered blind is expected to rise by 29%, from 298,000 in 2022 to 379,000 in 2035.

One of the main drivers of the jump is people living for longer, though the RNIB said waiting times for diagnosis and treatment and an increase in the number of people living with diabetes are also factors.

It further predicted that, by 2050, the number of people with sight loss in the UK will double to more than four million.

The charity now wants the Government to develop a national eye care plan but has said people can look after their health by going for an eye test every two years.

Matt Stringer, chief executive of the RNIB, said: ‘Prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of common sight conditions are key to reduce the number of people who will experience sight loss in their lifetime.

‘Regular eye tests are crucial in preventing avoidable sight loss. They’re essential for everyone, even if you think your eyesight is fine, as many conditions that can be picked up in a routine eye test begin with no obvious symptoms and often sight conditions can be treated if detected early enough.

‘In addition to eye health, an eye test can detect other health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, risk of stroke and heart disease.

‘As well as calling on the UK public to get their eyes tested regularly every two years, RNIB is calling on the UK Government to develop and implement a national eye care plan to fix delays in eye care and stop avoidable sight loss.’

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes, caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the back of the eye (retina).

It can cause blindness if left undiagnosed and untreated.

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, on Monday, September 30, raided some supermarkets and open shops in some parts of Abuja and seized counterfeit items worth N37 million.

The agency said in a statement posted on its X handle on Tuesday that during the operation which was based on intelligence reports from its Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, several unregistered and counterfeit cosmetics were seized.

The agency noted that the development was part of efforts to rid the market of counterfeit and illegally imported cosmetics products in the nation’s capital.

‘’NAFDAC has intensified its efforts to rid the market of counterfeit and illegally imported cosmetics products in Abuja.

Acting on intelligence reports, the Agency’s Investigation & Enforcement Directorate conducted coordinated raids across supermarkets and open markets, including Wuse and Garki markets. Several unregistered and counterfeit cosmetics were seized, with a total street value of ₦37 million.

NAFDAC is committed to investigating the sources of these illegal products and will take strict regulatory action against those involved. All confiscated items will be destroyed in line with the Agency’s laws and regulations, ensuring public safety.

The Agency urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious products or activities to the nearest NAFDAC office.’’

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has approved construction of a modern psychiatric hospital in Obi Akpor Local Government Area.

Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), his estranged godfather is from Rumuepirikom in Obio-Akpor.

Both Wike and Fubara have been at crossroads over the control of Rivers State, with the minister accusing the governor of turning his back against those who helped him to the top.

Speaking at a reception organized for him by a group, the Ijaw Peoples Assembly, in Port Harcourt, on Saturday, Wike boasted that when the time comes, he would teach Fubara and his supporters a big lesson in the state.

He said: “Imagine in Rivers they are contemplating of APP. It is not about money. Money does not move. You can have all the money but if there is no capacity there is no capacity.

“All the things you see are people envious of our growth. We have defeated them severally and if opportunity comes again, we will defeat them We have not started politics, when the time comes, we will play politics. Our job is politics. Tell them to keep their party ready. We will teach them what is called politics.”

But responding at the Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service organised as part of activities marking the 64th Independence Day Celebration of Nigeria at St. Paul’s Cathedral of the Anglican Communion at Garrison Junction, Port Harcourt, on Sunday, Fubara said what he did in one year outweighed the performance of his opponents in 8 years.

“They even say, they don’t know what we are doing. Let me remind them, it is Fubara that signed the paper to borrow from Zenith Bank the N200billion for the construction of the Port Harcourt Ring Road. So, it is my project. It is Fubara that awarded the Trans-Kalabari Road that they couldn’t do. They did only a bridge from Krakrama, but I am the one doing it: the