The Sight Tests Volume and Workforce Survey, Great Britain report focused on sight test volumes, both NHS and private, and on the ophthalmic workforce in 2005-06. The proportion of NHS sight tests continues its upward trend, with 68.6 per cent being paid for by the NHS compared to 66.4 per cent in 2003-04 and 54.2 per cent in 1996-97.
The increase was greatest for patients aged over 60 (+8.2 per cent) whereas more modest increases were recorded for under 16s (0.9 per cent) and 16-59s (2.2 per cent).
The vast majority of sight tests are carried out by optometrists with ophthalmic medical practitioners (OMPs) now accounting for just 2.3 per cent of tests. While an optometrist performed on average 35.5 tests per week, OMPs tested 20.6 patients per week.
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