§ Mr. Frank R. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many injuries from the breakage of ordinary glass lenses were treated by hospitals during the most convenient reporting period; and how many of these cases involved children.
§ Dr. OwenI regret that this information is not collected routinely. However, a limited survey undertaken by the Department several years ago indicated that the number of injuries caused by breakage of glass lenses was very small.
§ Mr. Frank R. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the additional cost charged for splinter-proof glasses; and what would be the cost of supplying all children under the age of 16 years with splinterproof glass lenses on the National Health Service.
§ Dr. OwenThe current additional charge for the supply of laminated or toughened glass lenses under the NHS general ophthalmic services is £1.85 for each single-vision lens and £2.57 for each bifocal lens.
Our statistics do not distinguish between children under 16 and children over 16 and who are still at school and who are, therefore, still exempt from optical charges. Nor do we have statistics for the number of children—a substantial proportion—who are supplied with lenses under the hospital eye service or the school eye service. However, the cost in a full year of supplying toughened or laminated glass lenses free of the additional charge to children who get their lenses free under the general ophthalmic services would be about £890,000 in a full year. This figure is based on 1974 statistics and assumes that the vast majority of children continue to have just one pair of single-vision lenses. There would also be an additional cost of the order of £70,000 in replacements of lost or damaged lenses.
Toughened and laminated glass lenses are already available free of extra charge 369W to children—and to adults—through the hospital eye service when they are prescribed as clinically necessary.