A comprehensive eye health and sight loss statistics report for England has identified a slight increase in NHS eye examinations compared to the prior year.
According to the report there were 12.3 million NHS sight tests in 2012/13, growth of 0.3 per cent on the previous year.
It represented an increase of over 27 per cent since 2002/03, while the rate of NHS sight tests per 100,000 people had increased 19 per cent during the same decade.
The Eye Health Data Summary report was launched by the UK Vision Strategy Partnership, also documenting the rate of certifications of vision impairment, numbers registered with sight loss or severe sight loss, and outpatient and inpatient information.
In 2012, 93.7 per cent of patients under the ophthalmology speciality started their admitted treatment within the national standard of 18 weeks from referral, it reported.
Anita Lightstone, UK Vision Strategy programme director, said: ‘This report brings together key eye health and sight loss statistics for England in a straightforward and easy to use format.
‘We hope this report will be a useful resource to eye health professionals, local authorities and voluntary sector organisations alike so they can assess the impact of their work and plan ahead for future opportunities and challenges.’
The report can be downloaded via the website www.vision2020uk.org.uk/ukvisionstrategy
The partnership has also released an ‘Action Plan’ report urging commissioners and providers to meet the rising demand for eye care services.
Medical Management Services produced the report, which found demand in out-patients had risen by 25 per cent over seven years and that 9 per cent of all out-patient appointments were now for eye care.
UK Vision Strategy Advisory Group member Michael Sobanja said: ‘Everyone needs to act now to avoid being overwhelmed by the tsunami, including our colleagues at NHS England who we hope will reflect our actions in their forthcoming report on eye care services.’
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