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Notes for B3

Figures for the number of practitioners relate to ophthalmic medical practitioners and optometrists who held contracts with HAs/FHSAs to carry out NHS sight tests as at 31 December.  Those with more than one contract are counted only once.

From 1 April 1989, NHS sight tests were restricted to children aged under 16, students aged 16-18 in full time education, adults on low income, users of complex lenses and those with certain medical conditions or at risk of eye disease. From 1 April 1999 eligibility was extended to all those aged 60 or over.

The Voucher Scheme was introduced on 1 July 1986.  Under this scheme vouchers are issued to those who would previously have been eligible to receive NHS spectacles, to use towards buying their own choice of spectacles. People eligible for vouchers are children aged under 16, students aged 16-18 in full time education, adults on low income and users of complex lenses.

Data on the number of GOS sight tests and vouchers reimbursed in 2003-04 should be available in July 2004.  Data on the number of practitioners in 2003 should be available in June 2004.

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