Increase in eye tests but poor less likely to come forward

THE number of people undertaking eye tests in Scotland has increased since the introduction of free tests, a study has revealed.

However, people from poorer households are less likely to have a test than those who were better off, according to the University of Aberdeen research.

The study found that the uptake of eye care in Scotland has moved into line with the rest of the UK since the introduction of the free tests north of the border in April 2006.

In 2005, the year before the free eye care policy was introduced in Scotland, 32.1 per cent of people north of the border had an eye examination, compared to 35.1 per cent in England, 36.6 per cent in Wales and 34 per cent in Northern Ireland.

By 2008, the figures were 36.2 per cent for Scotland, 37.3 per cent for England, 39.9 per cent for Wales and 36.4 per cent for Northern Ireland.

Tests are not free in the rest of the UK except for people in certain categories.

The study was led by Dr Alexandros Zangelidis, who used data from the British Household Panel Survey and business records from a multi-branch private ophthalmic optician company operating in north-east Scotland.

He said: “All evidence, using different indicators, points in the same direction - people in Scotland responded positively to the free eye care policy.

“The figures from both datasets indicate a rise in the number of people in Scotland having their eyes examined after the introduction of the policy in April 2006.”

The study also found a socio-economic gap in the uptake of eye care.

It stated: “Our analysis suggests that people with low education and those from poorer households, compared to highly-educated people and people from wealthier households, respectively, not only have overall lower levels of eye examinations, but they had a weaker response to the policy as well.”

Researchers suggested the gap may be due to the fact that poorer people fear they may be pressured into buying glasses if they go to the opticians.

Dr Zangelidis said he hoped the findings of the study, which was funded by the Chief Scientist Office, would promote further debate on closing the healthcare gap when it comes to eye care.