HC Deb 08 May 1990 vol 172 cc58-9W
Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how cases of glaucoma were recorded in each of the years 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989 in Wales;

(2) how many cases of glaucoma diagnosis were recorded in each of the years (a) 1986, (b) 1987, (c) 1988 and (d) 1989 in South Glamorgan health authority area.

Mr. Grist

This information is not available centrally.

Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many eye tests were carried out in the six months from(a) 1 April 1986, (b) 1 April 1987, (c) 1 April 1988 and (d) 1 April 1989 in South Glamorgan;

(2) how many eye tests were carried out in the six months from (a) 1 April 1986, (b) 1 April 1987, (c) 1 April 1988 and (d) 1 April 1989 in Wales.

Mr. Grist

Since April 1989, many sight tests will have been private transactions, and statistical information on these is not available centrally. The Government have commissioned a survey of sight tests to cover the first quarter of 1990. The report on the survey results will be placed in the Library of the House of Commons, some time in the early summer.

The available information, which relates to eye tests paid for by family practitioner committees, is given in the following table:

South Glamorgan Wales
Six months from 1 April 1986 48,279 310,371
Six months from 1 April 1987 54,071 325,474
Six months from 1 April 1988 52,882 329,925
Six months from 1 April 1989 26,708 170,073

Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many referrals were made to ophthalmic surgeons in(a) 1986, (b) 1987, (c) 1988 and (d) 1989 in (i) South Glamorgan health authority and (ii) Wales.

Mr. Grist

The available information, which relates to new out-patient attendances at ophthalmic clinics is given in the following table. This information is collected on a quarterly basis.

South Glamorgan Wales
Year ending:
1986 7,907 39,235
1987 8,493 39,213
1988 8,286 42,838
Quarter ending:
March 1989 2,221 11,596
June 1989 2,182 12,050
September 1989 1,956 11,270