Page last updated: 30-JUL-2006

Press Releases

Friday 30 June 2006 (0930h).

Update of NHSScotland Ophthalmic Statistics on Scottish Health on the Web (SHOW): information up to 31 March 2006.

Information Services Division (ISD Scotland) today published selected statistics on NHS General Ophthalmic Services. The statistics can be accessed via:

http://www.isdscotland.org/ophthalmic

Key points:

  • 959,849 sight tests were paid for by NHS Boards in the year ending 31 March 2006, a 2.7% increase on the total for the year ending 31 March 2005 (934,960). This included 5,451 more sight tests for diabetic sufferers.
  • 457,100 vouchers (pairs of spectacles for which vouchers were redeemed, including complex appliance payments) were reimbursed by NHS Boards in the year ending 31 March 2006. This was a 0.05% decrease on the previous year (457,328).
  • The number of supplementary tints1 supplied (12,043) increased by 1.7% on the previous year (11,839)

Note
1 Tints are normally prescribed in cases where light sensitivity is above normal. There are a variety of causes of hypersensitivity to light, e.g. cataracts, post-laser surgery (say in diabetics), ocular allergies, retinal degenerative conditions.

Background
1 The source of these data is an Oracle database called OPTIX that collates information from scanned General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) claim forms for sight tests, provision of spectacles (vouchers) and repairs/replacements of spectacles/contact lenses. The database is managed by Practitioner Services (Dental & Ophthalmic), NHS National Services Scotland.

2 This is an ISD Scotland National Statistics release. National Statistics are produced to high professional standards and adhere to codes of practice. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference.
 
3 ISD Scotland, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, is the principal source of Scotland’s health information and an essential support service to NHSScotland, the Scottish Executive, joint partnerships and other organisations. ISD Scotland contributes to health improvement by

  • providing information and statistical services
  • advising on the effective use of information management and technology
  • informing decisions, research and debate.

ISD Scotland’s website is at www.isdscotland.org.

4 For further information contact:

Stephen Goold
Healthcare Information Group
ISD Scotland
email stephen.goold@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk
phone 0131 275 6316

 


Main contact: Email Stephen Goold