Ophthalmic workload statistics
Statistics as at year ending 31 March 2024
An Official Statistics publication for Scotland
- Published
- 17 September 2024 (Latest release)
- Type
- Statistical report
- Author
- Public Health Scotland
About this release
This release by Public Health Scotland (PHS) provides information on NHS General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) eye examinations and related findings for 2023/24 with comparisons to previous years. It does not report on General Practitioners and hospital eye examinations activities.
Main points
- In 2023/24 approximately 2.42 million eye examinations were undertaken in Scotland, an increase of 6.9% compared to 2022/23.
1 In April 2010 and October 2018, changes in legislation reduced the frequency and circumstances under which a primary examination can be undertaken. If these conditions are not met, only a supplementary examination can be claimed for payment.
- Most patients receiving an eye examination were managed within primary care optometry and not referred for further investigation (93.3%).
- 73% of claims were for regular eye examinations (primary eye examinations). The others were for emergency, additional or follow-up care (supplementary eye examinations).
Background
NHS funded eye examinations in Scotland are provided by community optometrists under General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) arrangements.
This publication includes information on GOS eye examinations as well as NHS optical vouchers. It does not provide information on eye examinations or eyecare services provided in hospitals or privately.
There are a number of possible outcomes following a GOS eye examination, including:
- no medical or corrective action needs to be taken
- a prescription for spectacles / contact lenses needs to be issued
- treatment for an ocular condition is prescribed and followed up by the practitioner
- repeat examinations or procedures are conducted to refine a hospital referral, or to rebook for continual monitoring in the community
- referral to the patient’s General Practitioner with general health concerns
- referral for specialist ophthalmic care by a hospital consultant
See Ophthalmic Report for further information.
Further information
The next release of this publication will be 16 September 2025.
General enquiries
If you have an enquiry relating to this publication, please contact Claire Clark at phs.ophthalmicInfo@phs.scot.
Media enquiries
If you have a media enquiry relating to this publication, please contact the Communications and Engagement team.
Requesting other formats and reporting issues
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Older versions of this publication
Versions of this publication released before 16 March 2020 may be found on the Data and Intelligence, Health Protection Scotland or Improving Health websites.