§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will examine the health aspects of soft contact lenses; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonIt is a matter of individual clinical judgment whether to make use of such appliances. I would expect their uses and possible risks to be considered in the first place as part of the medical profession's own assessment of the value of these lenses.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether opticians in the National Health Service are yet able to obtain supplies of hard oxygen permeable contact lenses; and what he estimates to be the cost to the National Health Service when contact lenses are fitted on clinical advice.
§ Mr. AlisonContact lenses are not available under the general ophthalmic services of the National Health Service, but they may be supplied under the hospital eye service if a consultant opthal-mologist considers them clinically necessary. My Department has imposed no restrictions on the choice of materials from which such contact lenses may be made.
Costs vary between about £20 and rather over £50 per case.