Ophthalmic Statistics, 2011-12

Statistics include data on numbers of sight tests paid for by the NHS and numbers of opticians. The latest release updates the statistics previously released on 26 May 2011.

The key points from the latest release are:

Sight tests paid for by the NHS in 2011-12:

• 766,940 sight tests were paid for by the NHS, a 3.3 per cent increase on the previous year.
• Nearly 50 per cent of sight tests paid for by the NHS were for people aged 60 or over.
• 19 per cent of sight tests paid for by the NHS were for children aged under 16 and 17 per cent were for people on low income / receiving benefits.
• Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Health Board had the highest number of sight tests paid for by the NHS per 1,000 population.
• 297,800 vouchers for spectacles / lenses were reimbursed by the NHS, a 3.0 per cent increase on the previous year.
• 70 per cent of the vouchers reimbursed were used by people on low incomes / receiving benefits.

Workforce and Premises - December 2011:

• There were 768 practitioners carrying out sight tests paid for by the NHS, 12 more than the previous year and a 28 per cent increase since December 2001.
• 48 per cent of practitioners were female.

Further information

StatsWales website.

Contact

Tel: 029 2082 3134
E-mail: stats.healthinfo@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Next update

May 2013 (provisional - to be confirmed on the 'Due Out Soon' page)