Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 14 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 24 March 2005. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Thursday, 24 March 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average cost was of eye tests carried out on the NHS to (a) individuals and (b) the NHS in (i) 1979 and (ii) 1997.

Answer: Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost was of eye tests carried out on the NHS to (a) individuals and (b) the NHS in (i) 1979 and (ii) 1997. [222182] Ms Rosie Winterton: Sight tests provided by the national health service were free in 1979. An optometrist who carried out a sight test under the general ophthalmic services between 1 January to 31 December 1979 would have received a fee of £4.25. An ophthalmic medical practitioner who carried out a sight test under the general ophthalmic services between 1 April 1979 to 31 March 1980 would have received a fee of £3.40. In 1997 sight tests provided by the NHS were free to children under 16, those aged 16-18 in full-time education, people on low incomes, individuals predisposed to eye disease, those registered blind or partially sighted and people who have a complex prescription. An optometrist who carried out a sight test under the general ophthalmic service between 1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998 received a fee of £14.10. An ophthalmic medical practitioner who carried out a sight test under the general ophthalmic services would have received a fee of £12.51 from 1 April 1997 and £14.10 from 1 December 1997.

Secondary information