Page last updated: 29-JUL-2008

General Ophthalmic Services

National Statistics. Link to further information on National Statistics.Statistical Publication Notice

29 July 2008

General Ophthalmic Services

INTRODUCTION

This release provides data on:
 
  • NHS eye examinations for financial year ending 31 March 2008
  • NHS voucher claims for financial year ending 31 March 2008.
Updated information is provided on referrals and on reasons for primary and supplementary NHS eye examinations respectively.
 
Trend data on NHS eye examinations and voucher claims are available for financial years ending 31 March 1999-2008.

KEY POINTS

  • The number of eye examinations has increased by 3.4% from 1,573,103 for 31 March 2007 to 1,626,785 for 31 March 2008.
  • 3.5% of all patients who had an eye examination were then referred to their GP or Hospital. 96.1% of patients were not referred for further care.
  • 37.7% of all supplementary eye examinations were for further checks of side vision and pressure in the eye.
  • 450,716 vouchers (pairs of spectacles for which vouchers were redeemed, including complex appliance payments) were reimbursed by NHS Boards. This was a 1.7% increase on the previous year.

INTERPRETATION

On 1st April 2006, a new NHS eye examination was introduced and free NHS eye examinations were extended to all in Scotland. The traditional NHS sight test has been replaced by a comprehensive eye examination appropriate to the patient's needs. An initial eye examination is carried out (primary eye examination) and where necessary a second eye examination (supplementary eye examination).
 
An updated GOS(S)1 form was introduced on the 1st April 2006 to coincide with the new NHS eye examination.  However, some old GOS(S)1 forms have continued to be submitted and are included in the total for eye examinations in the Scotland trend table.  These eye examinations, 28,401 and 145 in 2006/07 and 2007/08 respectively, have been excluded where information is reported on primary and supplementary eye examinations (categories on the updated GOS(S)1 form).
 
Referral refinement/Repeat visual fields & applanation - first is further check of side vision; second is check of pressure in eye (can be indicative of eye condition as well as blood pressure, etc.)

DETAILED FINDINGS

The number of eye examinations has increased by 3.4% from 1,573,103 for 31 March 2007 to 1,626,785 for 31 March 2008.
 
3.5% of all patients who had an eye examination were then referred to their GP or Hospital. 96.1% of patients were not referred for further care.
 
37.7% of all supplementary eye examinations were for further checks of side vision and pressure in the eye.
 
450,716 vouchers (pairs of spectacles for which vouchers were redeemed, including complex appliance payments) were reimbursed by NHS Boards. This was a 1.7% increase on the previous year.
 
The total number of patients receiving a primary eye examination increased by 4.2% from 1,480,187 for 31 March 2007 to 1,542,566 for 31 March 2008.
Of the 1,542,566 primary eye examinations, 1,535,777 where for ordinary residents, an increase of 4.5% and 6,789 where for exempt visitors, a decrease of 33.2%.
 
The total number of patients receiving a supplementary eye examination increased by 30.3% from 64,515 for 31 March 2007 to 84,074 for 31 March 2008.
Of the 84,074 supplementary eye examinations, 83,546 where for ordinary residents, an increase of 30.7% and 528 where for exempt visitors, a decrease of 16.6%.
 

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MAIN CONTACTS:

Denise Hastie
Statistician
0131 275 6368
denise.hastie@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk

James MacKerrow
Information Analyst
0131 275 6232
james.mackerrow@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk

 
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PRE-RELEASE ACCESS TO THIS PUBLICATION WAS GIVEN TO:

ISD contacts
PSD Information Release Group
NHS Board Chief Executives
Scottish Government
 
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HISTORY OF THIS PUBLICATION:

Last Published: 26 June 2007
Next Due: 28 July 2009
Data Avaliable Since: NHS eye examinations and voucher claims data are available for financial years ending 31 March 1999-2008

 


Main contact: Email Denise Hastie