Royal National Institute of Blind People Scotland is encouraging people to get a free eye examination, which could save your sight

One in four Scots didn't know that eye examinations are free in Scotland.

A YouGov survey carried out on behalf of sight loss charity RNIB uncovered the fact that 10 years after the law changed to make eye tests free, a significant number of people still think they have to pay.

The charity is marking National Eye Health Week, which begins on Monday, 19 September by emphasising the importance of getting your eyes checked regularly.

While an eye examination won't cost you a penny, missing out on check-ups could cost you some or all of your sight - Campbell Chalmers

RNIB Scotland director Campbell Chalmers said :"We know that making eye examinations free has already saved people's sight as well as sometimes picking up the symptoms of other conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. So it's vital that problems are picked up as early as possible.

" Sight is the sense most people fear losing most. And yet we can be surprisingly complacent about our eye health. We tend to think of eye examinations as something to do only when we want new glasses or contact lenses. But we should all get our eyes checked every two years, especially those aged over 40 and people of African-Caribbean descent.

"While an eye examination won't cost you a penny, missing out on check-ups could cost you some or all of your sight."

Around 180,000 people in Scotland have significant sight loss, and the number is likely to increase as a result of our ageing population, and the rise of sight-threatening health conditions such as diabetes.