Early screening programmes to detect eye diseases would not only save sight but billions of pounds for the government, a charity has claimed.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association revealed its conclusion in the first-ever report to analyse the "cost of blindness" in the UK.

Published on Monday it estimates that there are around 920,000 blind and partially sighted people in England alone.

The report calculates that the cost to the government in terms of social benefits and productivity losses alone - not including treatment costs - is as high as £8.8 billion each year.

Eye conditions such as glaucoma, would benefit from a policy of early screening which would enable detection and treatment.

The charity claimed the total direct and indirect costs of glaucoma are up to £38 billion each year.

It argues that if only 10 per cent of people with glaucoma received earlier treatment not only could their loss of sight be delayed, but up to £1 billion a year could be saved.

"This report is just the first step towards a greater understanding of the cost to patients, their families and the government," said Robin Hutchinson of the GDBA.

"Early detection of many eye diseases can prevent or minimise sight loss. We want to highlight to the government not only how they could save substantial amounts of money by investing in early intervention, but also could help save the sight of thousands of people."

The Department of Health said the issue of eye screening was taken seriously by the NHS.

A spokesman pointed to the £73 million of funding that has been announced to provide faster access to cataract operations.

"The government has set up a national group involving the patients groups, the RNIB, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in modernising NHS services for benefit of patients and practitioners," said the spokesman.

And £4 million has already been allocated to fund the piloting of improvements for patients suffering from chronic eye disease and low vision, he added.