HC Deb 07 January 2003 vol 397 cc209-10W
Mrs. Helen Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have had their sight tested following the extension of eligibility for NHS sight tests to those aged 60 and over. [87675]

Mr. Lammy

The table shows the number of national health service sight tests paid for in England for the years ending 31 March 2000 to 2002.

Eligibility to NHS sight tests was extended to those aged 60 and over from 1 April 1999.

General ophthalmic services: number of sight tests paid for by health authorities in England for all patients and patients aged 60 and over
Number of sight tests for aged 60 and over (millions) Total number of sight tests (millions)
1999–2000 3.3 9.4
2000–1 3.8 9.6
2001–2 4.0 9.8

Information on the number of people having NHS sight tests is not collected centrally. The number of sight tests cannot be equated with the number of people, as some groups are advised to have more than one sight test in a year.

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