Written question asked by Mark Oaten (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 4 June 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 June 1998. It was answered by Alan Milburn (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 June 1998 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To comment on the alterations to entitlement conditions for free annual sight tests since 1st March.

Answer: Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the alterations to entitlement conditions for free annual sight tests since 1 March. [45032] Mr. Milburn: There have been no legislative changes but, in advice issued to health authorities and opticians in November 1997, we indicated that patients who have been advised by a consultant ophthalmologist to have regular sight tests because high intra-ocular pressures put them at risk of glaucoma, are eligible for a free National Health Service sight test in the same way as patients diagnosed with glaucoma.

Secondary information