§ Mrs. Margaret EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is (a) the total number of sufferers of the eye disease glaucoma who have come to the attention of his Department, (b) the total cost to his Department of treating this condition and (c) the cost per patient of the eye test which would indicate the possibility of glaucoma, for the latest period for which figures are available.
§ Mrs. CurrieIn 1985, the latest year for which information is available centrally, an estimated 13,440 patients were discharged from National Health Service hospitals in England with a main diagnosis of glaucoma. Figures on costs of treatment for glaucoma are not available centrally. The cost of that part of an eye test which would indicate the possibility of glaucoma is not identified separately. Most cases are diagnosed by consultant ophthalmologists who are responsible for treatment.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he intends to take to improve the rate of early diagnosis of glaucoma; and if he has any plans to encourage wider use of available tests, including inspection of the fundus of the eye and tonometry, especially to high-risk groups.
§ Mrs. CurrieIt is for general medical practitioners to refer patients identified as being at high risk to a consultant ophthalmologist. Diagnosis and resultant treatment are the responsibility of consultant ophthal-mologists and this may require a number of specialised tests, not all of which ophthalmic opticians are qualified or trained to carry out. At present the interior of patients' eyes is routinely examined with an ophthalmascope as part of the National Health Service sight test. This process is known as fundoscopy. Practitioners may undertake tonometry if they consider this appropriate but there is no requirement to do so.