Free eye for Glasgow

The Scottish Parliment have finally actioned it, free Eye Tests for everyone in Scotland

Free eye checks for everyone in Scotland are now clearly in sight.

Agreement has been reached with Optometry Scotland on the composition and fee for undertaking the eye examination, which will be available to all by 2007.

Deputy Health Minister Lewis Macdonald said:

“I am delighted to be able to announce today that we have moved a huge step closer to delivering on our commitment of free eye checks for all.

“The new eye examination, as agreed with Optometry Scotland, will allow patients to receive, free of charge, an appropriate health assessment of their whole visual system.”

Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen commented:

“This was a key Executive commitment in the Partnership Agreement, and I am delighted such excellent progress is being made. The fact that people will benefit, free of charge, from a full assessment, not just a basic sight test, is even better news.”

Chairman of Optometry Scotland Hal Rollason said:

“Together we have reached agreement which will provide the cornerstone for eyecare in Scotland. Everyone in Scotland will benefit from this service and will be able to access eyecare appropriate to their needs in a setting as close to their home as possible.

“This is a defining moment for optometry in Scotland which will provide fundamental improvements to how eyecare is delivered. Optometry must rise and embrace this challenge. With it we will have a service that is truly world class.”

Mr Macdonald added:

“In all areas of the health service we want patients to be able to access appropriate treatment as quickly as possible – eye care is no different.

“We want optometrists to be the first point of contact for eye problems and we want eye examinations to be performed that are appropriate to patients’ symptoms and needs. These new arrangements will significantly reduce inappropriate referrals to secondary care.

“Under the new agreement a wide range of common conditions will be able to be treated in the community, which is in line with the Kerr Report published earlier this year.”

Mr Macdonald also announced the publication of the eyecare review interim report. He said:

“We want a patient-centred, multi-disciplinary approach to be taken to all eye care.

“The publication of the eyecare review interim report underlines our commitment to improving eyecare services across the country.

“The report shows work is progressing on a number of fronts including the establishment of a local model of integrated medical and social support for those with a serious sight impairment as well as a study of services for children.

“I look forward to receiving the views of all stakeholders on the interim report and to the final report being published in due course.”

A Partnership for a Better Scotland: Partnership Agreement high level commitment to introduce free eye checks for all before 2007. This means:

* Changes to the scope of general ophthalmic services which will result in new contractual arrangements
* Move away from the current sight test (which includes a refraction; a test to ascertain whether or not the patient needs to wear or use an optical appliance) to an eye examination which includes broader health aspects
* The current service provides for opportunistic “health” checks
* Under the new service everyone will be entitled to a free eye examination, including sight test (refraction), where required.
* New eye examination will include an eye health assessment appropriate to a patient’s needs and symptoms and will include set procedures as well as patient-specific procedures

Approximately 40 per cent of first outpatient department visits for patients requiring eye treatment are considered inappropriate at present.

Investment for eye care

More than £10 million is to be made available to improve eyecare services in Scotland following last year’s review, the first Scottish Optometric Conference was told today in Glasgow.

A total of £8 million capital funding will be distributed to optical practices providing NHS eye examinations to enable them to buy new digital cameras. This will help develop the area of digital imaging to improve free eye examinations.

And a further £2.6m will be split between health boards to help make service improvements as identified by the review which aimed to encourage the development of integrated eyecare services and ensure patients receive good quality and efficient services, in a convenient setting without undue wait.

Public Health Minister Shona Robison said:

“I am delighted to be able to announce £10m of funding today which will make a real difference to the quality of eyecare services available in Scotland.

“I recognise that the findings of the eyecare review pose some challenges to optometrists and I am confident that the capital funding I have announced today will go a long way towards meeting those challenges.

“In my short time as Minister for Public Health I have been very impressed by the optical profession’s commitment to improving the health of the nation and the desire to expand the services which you provide on behalf of the NHS. I look forward to continuing to work with the profession in the future to ensure that the people of Scotland benefit from the best eyecare services possible.”

Frank Munro, chairman of Optometry Scotland, which represents more than 1000 registered optometrists and 300 dispensing opticians, said:

“The pump priming for improved services for those living with visual impairment will help NHS Boards establish networks of care.

“Optometry will be key to the success of these networks and Optometry Scotland looks forward to further involvement in taking this forward.

“The additional grant for optical equipment demonstrates the Government’s commitment to the ongoing development of the optometric service. The principal aim will be to establish an effective preventative eyecare service that will be recognised as the most advanced in the world.”

Optometry Scotland was established in March 2003 as the organisation to act as a single coherent voice for representation on all issues regarding optics in Scotland.

Details of the funding allocations for boards are:

* Ayrshire & Arran – £150,000 to develop an integrated children’s eyecare network. £114,000 to integrate services for adults, develop a network of community optometry practitioners for low vision services, appoint a part-time optometry advisor and a full-time RNIB worker to undertake home vision pre-assessments.
* Lothian – £98,600 to re-establish and expand the optometry network and improve access to eye care services for ethnic minority groups. £94,897 to establish a co-ordinated inter-agency service for children.
* Shetland- £140,000 to develop inter-agency services to support people with visual impairment needs.
* Forth Valley -£114,150 to develop adult and children’s low vision clinics.
* Dumfries & Galloway – £159,994 to develop low vision workshops, map patient pathways and build capacity within the low vision service.
* Grampian – £219,500 to: hold eyecare Healthfit across Grampian; recruit a project manager to take forward healthfit work streams; set up reference group to support service redesign; provide support from current service delivery to re-designed services; provide low visual aid kits and support;set up a training fund.
* Western Isles – £77,150 for a range of measures to improve children’s services.
* Fife – £155,000 to: Integrate patient centred information for children and adults; develop electronic data collection and sharing; improve services for children and adults; improved services for the identification and assessment of older people with dual sensory loss; carry out an evaluation of the service changes and to review through the integrated low vision group.
* Borders – £74,065 to develop child-centred refraction clinics, develop an eye movements service; provide additional resources used by teachers for visually impaired children, develop low vision clinics at Borders General Hospital.
* Highland – £181,500 to develop an eyecare network for adults and redesign and improve children’s vision impairment service.
* Lanarkshire – £159,600 to provide a low vision and functional vision service for children and integrate community eyecare services for adults.
* Tayside – £75,000 to improve children’s services.
* Greater Glasgow – £760,000 to develop community based eyecare services for adults, improve services for children, set up a pilot project to determine the effectiveness of eyecare provision for ethnic minorities
* Guide Dogs for the Blind – £36,620 to offer visually impaired people assistance in the immediate period after diagnosis of uncorrectable sight loss.

NHS eye test numbers double

New figures were released today which show that more
than twice the number of sight tests are now being carried
out on the NHS in Scotland, compared to a decade ago.

Health Minister, Susan Deacon, today welcomed the
findings which show for the year ending March 2001, the
number of NHS tests rose to 861,001 – up from 850,400 in
1999-2000 and an increase of 106 per cent since 1990.

Speaking on the Royal National Institute of the Blind’s
‘Eye Test Action Day’, Ms Deacon said:

“More than twice the number of sight tests are now being
carried out on the NHS compared with a decade ago. The
Government’s decision to extend free sight tests to adults
aged 60 and over, and those at risk of developing glaucoma,
has been a major factor in that success.

“However, despite this increase, we are not complacent.
Too many people who are having problems with their vision
and are entitled to free NHS sight tests are still not
coming forward to receive them. That is why initiatives
like RNIB Scotland’s campaign to raise awareness of the
importance of sight tests are so important and so
welcome.

“Sight tests pick up problems at an early stage, often
preventing further loss of sight or damage in later years.
And they are also a vital ‘early warning system’ for other
health problems such as diabetes, brain tumours and
neurological disorders.

“Therefore my message today is clear – if you are having
problems with your sight and are entitled to a free NHS
sight test, make sure you get one. Even if you are not
eligible, the costs of a private test are small in
comparison to losing or damaging your eye-sight, and if you
are on a low income you may be entitled to some help
towards the cost of a sight test.”

Mike Cairns, Director of RNIB Scotland, said:

“It is great news that more than twice the number of
sight tests are now being carried out in Scotland. The
message from RNIB Scotland is clear and applies to
everyone: don’t delay in making an appointment for an eye
test! A half-hour could save your sight. It could also
identify general health problems such as high blood
pressure, diabetes and even life-threatening eye or brain
tumours.”

The increase is based on the latest statistics for
General Ophthalmic Services (GOS), published by the
Information and Statistics Division (ISD) of
NHSScotland.

NHS sight tests are available free to people under 16 or
under 19 in full time education and to people aged 60 and
over. People who are on certain benefits, tax credits and
low incomes are also eligible. People prescribed complex
glasses, glaucoma sufferers and their close blood relatives
over 40, those who have been advised by an ophthalmologist
that they are at risk of developing glaucoma, people with
diabetes and people who are registered blind or partially
sighted also qualify. Vouchers are available to certain
categories of people to help with the cost of glasses.

RNIB Scotland has organised a poster campaign to
accompany Eye Test Action Day. The posters will appear in
18 railway stations across Scotland until November 4. They
look like an eye-test chart with a single large letter at
the top, with the print-size getting smaller as you look
down each line.

NHS Entitlement

Glasses – Vouchers are available toward the cost of glasses for the following;

Age 16–18 (if in full time education)

Income based Jobseekers allowance.

You or your partner receive:
Income Support
NHS Tax Credit exemption certificate

Pension Credit-Guarantee

HC2 or HC3 certificate
You are a War / MOD Pensioner

Charge Applicable (refund may be applicable from War Pensions Agency if the glasses are required for the pensionable disability)
You require complex lenses or powerful glasses with at least one lens which:
has a power in any one meridian of + or – 10 or more dioptres.

is a prism-controlled bifocal lens.

Find out more about your NHS entitlement for eye tests at www.nhs.org.uk

Or your local optician where you can book a free eye test

Why are regular eye tests important?

Most sight loss from diabetic retinopathy can be prevented. But it is vital that it is diagnosed early. You may not realise that there is anything wrong with your eyesight, and so regular eye checks are extremely important.

An eye examination will include the required tests to not only determine your sight levels but to check for eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, macula degeneration and retinal detachments.

For more information visit a registered optician

Eye tests

Your sight is invaluable but can sometimes be taken for granted. Your eyes will capture countless images in your lifetime and it’s extremely important you keep them in great shape and working for you as effectively as possible. Your eyes also offer a glimpse into aspects of your overall health and some diseases and infections can be picked up by a simple eye-test.

First aid for eyes

When eye injuries occur, knowing how to deal with them can mean the difference between minor eye damage and permanent injury, or even blindness. Here are some first aid suggestions for eye injuries. However, please remember, these suggestions are only first aid. It is important for you to contact your Optometrist as soon as possible for any eye injuries.

If you have a foreign object in your eye, don’t rub it.

Lift your upper eyelid outward and gently pull it down over the lower lash. This causes tears to flow and will often wash the object out of your eye. You may have to repeat this several times. If the object does not wash out, contact your Optometrist. Do not try to remove a particle that is embedded. You can cause more damage. If you are wearing contact lenses, remove the lens and clean it thoroughly before putting it back in your eye. If discomfort persists, remove, clean again and reapply. If discomfort continues, remove the lens and call your Optometrist.

For chemicals splashed in your eyes immediately flush your eyes with cool water for at least 15 minutes. If possible, hold your head under a slowly running faucet, or pour water slowly from a glass or clear container. Seek professional attention immediately. If you are wearing contact lenses, remove them immediately. Then flush your eyes and seek professional help as described.

A blow to your face resulting in a black eye can be treated with cold compresses for about 15 minutes every hour. Your eye should be checked by your optometrist for internal damage. If the blow breaks your contact lenses, try to remove pieces of the lens immediately. Rinsing with water will help. Then call your Optometrist.

Do not try to treat a cut, laceration or penetrating eye injury.

Do not flush the eye with water or put any medicine in the eye. If you are wearing a contact lens, don’t try to remove it. Gently cover the eye with a bandage or gauze pad and go directly to your doctor or a nearby hospital.

Remember, the best way to treat eye injuries is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Don’t forget to be aware of potential eye hazards and wear appropriate eye protection.

Published from Graeme Gentles Glasgow Opticians