The Lions Club of Castle Point was today in the forefront of a new campaign aimed at combating the two main causes of preventable blindness.

Members are urging local people to have regular eye tests to prevent glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy developing.

Castle Point Lions have arranged an open evening at Swans Green Hall, Hart Road, Thundersley, on Thursday, March 9 to raise awareness of the diseases.

The meeting, which gets under way at 8pm, will consist of a video presentation, a talk and general discussion on issues. Refreshments will be available.

A Lions Club spokesman said: "Our Eye Health Programme is a community-based education scheme designed to raise awareness of the two leading sight threatening diseases with a view to persuading the local community to have regular eye tests."

The programme is being run with the International Glaucoma Association and the British Diabetic Association.

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