§ Mrs. Margaret EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythDuring 1985, the last full year for which information is available, 1,793 patients diagnosed as suffering from glaucoma were discharged after spells of in-patient care. Information on the cost of treating this condition is not available. The use of ophthalmoscopy, which can detect glaucoma, is already part of the routine NHS sight test. It is open to practitioners to carry out any other tests judged to be appropriate in individual cases. I have no information on the costs of the various tests for glaucoma.