The Department of Health confirmed last week that the number of sight tests paid for by health authorities in England has more than doubled in the past decade.In the latest ophthalmic statistics for the NHS, the DoH stated 9.6m tests were carried out in 2000-2001 in the health service, an increase of 2 per cent over 1999-2000. However, this is an increase of 130 per cent over 1990-91 figures. Ten years ago 4.15m tests were paid for by the Family Health Services Authority.The latest figures show the number of sight tests paid for by HAs continues to reflect the extension of eligibility for NHS eye examinations for those aged 60 which was brought in on April 1 1999. Well over a third (39 per cent) of tests were performed on the elderly. In addition, a quarter of the 9.6m tests were carried out on children, with adults receiving benefits and tax credits accounting for 18 per cent. Other details included:
3.6m optical vouchers were reimbursed by HAs in 2000-01 to pay for spectacles, a decrease of 2 per cent from 1999-2000. Of the 2000-01 total, 72 per cent were for the simplest single-vision lens prescription, voucher type A.u £292.5m was spent in total on General Ophthalmic Services in 2000-01, 2 per cent up on 1999-2000.u 7,824 ophthalmic practitioners were under contract to perform NHS sight tests at the start of this year.u At December 31 2000 there were 6,467 ophthalmic outlets in England.Department of Health statistics can be found at wwww. doh.gov.uk/public/stats1.htm
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