World War II veteran Jack Monaghan, 93, has been told Veterans' Affairs will cut his eye supplement funding.

World War II veteran Jack Monaghan, who can barely see, has been told the Government will stop funding a treatment he says is saving his remaining sight.

The Paraparaumu 93-year-old, who served as a Royal Navy stoker in the Atlantic, has been told by specialists that his loss of sight was at least partly due to the sea glare he experienced during the war.

"I have got half of my left eye left," he said. "The nutrients I get have been a big help in holding what I have got."

SUPPLIED The Monaghan brothers of Southland, from left to right, Jack, Charlie, and Tom. They all went to fight in World War II, and all survived.

He has been taking Clinicians VisionCare on a ophthalmologist's recommendation for the past five years.

But now he has been told that that Veterans' Affairs will stop funding non-approved remedies from next year, including VisionCare.

He said he could afford the $39.50 cost of a bottle of the pills, but wife Maureen said: "It's the nit-picking for such a tiny, tiny amount ... it's the principle.

"They seem to be cutting down on everything."

A Veterans' Affairs spokeswoman said that, under the Veterans' Support Act, it could pay for or contribute towards treatment costs for veterans' service-related injuries and illnesses.

But that covered only prescribed pharmaceuticals. Products such as Clinicians VisionCare were a supplement, and so were not covered.

At present, discretionary funding could be allocated on a case-by-case basis, and could be used for supplements. But from December 7 this year, discretionary funding would not be available.

According to Macular Degeneration New Zealand, people suffering from the eye disease may find it appropriate to take supplements with ingredients such as zinc, lutein, and zeaxanthin. VisionCare had these ingredients.

Veterans' Affairs said it was still looking at what could be funded under the changes.

"In addition to the treatment and rehabilitation support, veterans who suffer impairment as a result of a service-related injury or illness are eligible for tax-free pensions of up to $383.78 per week.

"This can be used by veterans to meet needs not specifically funded through treatment and rehabilitation support."

The spokeswoman was not able to say how many people would be affected by the legislation change.

In contrast to their treatment by Veterans' Affairs, the Monaghans were full of praise for the charity and partly taxpayer-funded Blind Foundation, which they said stayed in regular contact.

The foundation had made it possible for Jack to read again, thanks to a book-magnifying machine, showed him how to make a coffee, and phone calls on a special phone with large buttons.

"They are so good, and the Government is so mean."

Veterans' Affairs Minister Craig Foss's office said he could not speak about the case. "The minister will have no further comment to make."