HC Deb 12 November 2001 vol 374 c550W
Matthew Green

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve access to NHS eye tests. [12377]

Jacqui Smith

Since we extended eligibility to free national health service sight tests to people aged 60 or over, with effect from April 1999, nearly 3 million more people are receiving NHS sight tests each year. We have no plans to extend the eligibility criteria further, but we wish to publicise the benefits to eye health of having a regular sight test and eye examination.