§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many NHS sight tests took place in each financial year since 1984–85.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 28 October 1993]: The number of national health service sight tests paid for by health boards in each of the financial years from 1984–85 to 1992–93 is shown in the table.
Number of NHS sight tests Year Number 1984–85 884,727 1985–86 913,901 1986–87 965,160 1987–88 1,098,145 1988–89 1,168,610 1989–90 1475,479 1990–91 432,885 1991–92 496,598 1992–93 538,684 1 Since 1 April 1989 free National Health Service sight tests have only been available to children, full-time students under 19, those in receipt of Income Support or Family Credit, the registered blind and partially sighted, complex lens users, those who hold an AG2 Examption certificate from the Health Benefits Unit, diagnosed diabetic or glaucoma sufferers and close relatives aged 40 or over of glaucoma sufferers.