Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of implementation rates of domiciliary sight tests for (a) children and (b) adults with disabilities.

Free National Health Service sight tests are available to people aged 60 and over, children under 16, those aged 16-18 in full-time education, people on low incomes and defined categories of people at particular risk of developing eye disease. NHS sight tests can also be provided as mobile services (domiciliary) to those eligible for an NHS sight test who are unable to leave home unaccompanied because of physical, mental illness or disability.

During a sight test, a doctor or optometrist is legally required to perform such examinations as are necessary to detect signs of injury, disease or abnormality and to refer the patient for further investigation if necessary. They will also carry out tests to determine if the patient requires an optical appliance to correct a defect in sight. These requirements apply regardless of where the sight test occurs and therefore no specific assessment has been made as to the effectiveness of domiciliary sight tests compared to non-domiciliary provision.

In 2013/14, domiciliary sight tests made up 3.3% of total NHS sight tests. At 428,109, this was 5% more than in 2012/13 (406,995). It is not possible to identify how many of these were provided to children or those eligible adults with disabilities.