Switching the Lights Off Across England?

As Devi Sridhar (Edinburgh University) points out, the UK is a (relatively) rich country. It consequently seems more than a little bizarre, that hundreds of people in England are going blind (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/19/british-people-going-blind-doctors-tory-cuts) Sridhar maintains that the increased incidence of blindness is mainly a consequence of cuts in National Health Service (NHS) provision. Eye conditions, like macular degeneration, can be treated. Patients, however, only get effective treatment, if they have timely access to services. The current NHS backlog for ophthalmology appointments in England is the second longest for any ailment. In most cases, once people have become blind, the condition is permanent. This has costs and puts further pressures on the over-stretched and under-funded NHS. The situation won't be helped by the UK also having a current surge in diabetes patients. Diabetes can also result in blindness.