College of Optometrists

18 August 2010 Return to news listings

The Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians (FODO) has published the 29th annual edition of Optics at a Glance - the key source of information about optometry, opticians, the optical market and services available to patients, for the year ending 31 March 2009. The FODO survey was undertaken before the Optical Confederation was established. In future Optics at a Glance will be an Optical Confederation publication.

The statistics are drawn from
 
• a survey of FODO members covering over two thirds of the optical market for the year to
31 March 2009
• Government data for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland
• The Association of Contact Lens Manufacturers (ACLM), College of Optometrists, General Optical Council (GOC)

Key Points – Government Statistics

• The number of NHS sight tests carried out in the UK in 2008-09 rose (by 2%) to 14.1 million (from 13.8 million in 2007-08)
• Comparison of data sets indicates that there is a shortfall between the number of patients who are likely to be entitled to NHS domiciliary eyecare and the number of patients receiving the service.

Key Points – FODO Members Survey

• 69% of sight tests in the survey resulted in a changed or new prescription (70% in 2007-08).

• 25% of patients required no prescription change or no correction (no change from 2007-08). 

• 6% of patients chose contact lenses (7% in 2007-08).

• 4% of patients were referred to a GP or hospital (no change from 2007-08).

• the average charge to patients for a private sight test , excluding discounts and special offers, was £23.05 (£22.90 in 2007-08)

• The average interval between sight tests rose slightly to 26 months (25 months in 2006-07).

• 34% of all spectacle dispensings were paid for in full or in part with an NHS voucher (up from 31% in 2007-08). 

• 100% of optical practices stocked a range of spectacles within voucher values for children and adults.

• The proportion of re-glazed spectacles remained at 6%.

  FODO - Optics at a Glance

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Notes for Editors

1. The Federation of Ophthalmic & Dispensing Opticians (FODO) represents registered opticians in business.    Our aim is to achieve eye health for all, delivered through world-class services, provided by regulated community-based professionals operating in a competitive environment.  Our members include the national and international high street and supermarket brands, regional and family companies, mobile domiciliary providers and individual opticians.  FODO members account for over two thirds of market activity in the UK.

2. Sources:

• Central Services Agency, Northern Ireland

• Health Survey for England, 2001

• NHS Scotland (ISD Scotland Report General Ophthalmic Services, 28 July 2009)

• General Ophthalmic Services: Activity Statistics for England and Wales, year ending 31 March 2009; The Information Centre, Ophthalmic Statistics, Government Statistical Service, 2009

• Community Care Statistics 2008-09: Social Services Activity Report, England; The Information Centre, 2010

• Association of Contact Lens Manufacturers (ACLM) Market report 2009: technical summary

• College of Optometrists

• General Optical Council Annual Report 2008-09

• FODO annual survey of members 2008-09 - draws together statistics from all four UK Health Departments, results of the annual confidential survey of our members and information and statistics on performers.