Key Facts

• There were approximately 477,000 health service sight tests in 2025/26. Children under age 16 or patients aged 60 and over accounted for 4 in every 5 tests provided.

• Females were more likely to receive a health service sight test than males, with 26% of the female population attending a test during the year compared to 21% of males.

• There were approximately 168,000 optical vouchers processed in 2025/26. Children under the age of 16 accounted for almost half (47%) of optical vouchers processed.

• There were approximately 54,000 unique assessments at the Northern Ireland Primary Eyecare Assessment and Referral Service (NI PEARS).
• Just over 48,300 (90%) of NI PEARS assessments were first assessments. These resulted in approximately 57,100 assessment outcomes. 'Managed by Optometrist' at the NI PEARS Service accounted for 63% of these outcomes.

• The total cost of ophthalmic services was £27.9 million. Sight tests accounted for 44% (£12.3m) of the total.

• The cost of ophthalmic services ranged from £6.8m in the Northern LCG to £4.6m in the Western LCG.


Annual Series Tables

Download the annual general ophthalmic statistics by clicking on the button below.

The annual series tables presents information on ophthalmic activity carried out by general ophthalmic practitioners in Northern Ireland. It details information on the number of general ophthalmic practitioners and ophthalmic practices in Northern Ireland, along with the number of sight tests carried out, the number of vouchers issued and repairs and replacements submitted to BSO for payment. Similar information on various Enhanced Services is also provided. The overall cost of providing ophthalmic services is given along with average costs across Local Commissioning Groups and Local Government Districts.

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Annual data: 714KB


Supplementary Information

Download the supplementary ophthalmic information by clicking on the button below.

The supplementary tables presents information on sight test, voucher and repair activity in Northern Ireland. This is broken down by Financial Year, Local Commissioning Group/Local Government District, Gender, Age Group and Exemption Reason.

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Supplementary: 601KB


1. Workforce

This section of the report provides details of the workforce providing General Ophthalmic Services via high-street opticians. All figures are a snapshot as at 31st March 2026 and represent a headcount so do not reflect any variations in hours worked.

1.1 Ophthalmic Practitioners

In Northern Ireland, there were 714 primary care ophthalmic practitioners registered to carry out health service eye tests in 2026; 713 were Optometrists and one was an Ophthalmic Medical Practitioner (OMP). The number of ophthalmic practitioners registered with BSO has increased by 18% from 606 in 2017 to 714 in 2026, 2% higher than in 2025. The OMPs have fallen from nine in 2017 to one in 2026 (see Figure 1.1). OMPs are medically qualified doctors specialising in eye care. Like Optometrists they examine eyes, test sight, diagnose abnormalities and prescribe suitable corrective lenses.

Figure 1.1: Number of ophthalmic practitioners as at 31st March, 2017 - 2026. See Annex Table 1.03

In Northern Ireland, there were 37.0 ophthalmic practitioners per 100,000 population. Over time, this proportion has generally increased, from 32.5 per 100,000 population in 2017, an increase of 14%, to 37.0 in 2026. See Annex Table 1.03.

1.2 Ophthalmic Practices

There were 264 ophthalmic practices carrying out health service sight tests across the region in 2026. This figure is down two from last year (266). Since 2014, the number of ophthalmic practices has increased by four (2%). Belfast Local Government District (LGD) has the highest number of high street ophthalmic practices, accounting for 18% of the Northern Ireland total. However, looking at ophthalmic practices per 100,000 population, Fermanagh and Omagh LGD comes out top with 19.5 practices per 100,000 population, followed by Antrim and Newtownabbey LGD at 14.9, while Lisburn and Castlereagh LGD has the lowest number of ophthalmic practices per 100,000 population at just 11.2 (see Figure 1.2).

Figure 1.2: Number of ophthalmic practices per 100,000 population, by Local Government District, 2026. See Annex Table 1.02

Local Government District Practices per 100,000 population
Lisburn and Castlereagh 11.2
Newry, Mourne and Down 12.6
Ards and North Down 12.7
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon 13.0
Belfast 13.3
Causeway Coast and Glens 13.4
Mid and East Antrim 13.6
Mid Ulster 14.4
Derry City and Strabane 14.4
Antrim and Newtownabbey 14.9
Fermanagh and Omagh 19.5
Northern Ireland 13.7

1.3 Distance to Nearest Optician

At Northern Ireland level, 94% of the population live within five miles [note 1] of an ophthalmic practice. In the more urban LGDs (Belfast, Antrim & Newtownabbey, Lisburn & Castlereagh, Derry City & Strabane and Ards & North Down) at least 85% of the population is within three miles of an ophthalmic practice. This figure drops significantly in some of the more rural areas, particularly Fermanagh and Omagh at just 57% (See Annex Tables 1.23 & 1.24).

Figure 1.3: Interactive chart [note 2] on the distance to nearest optician in miles by Small Area, 2026.

Note 1:

Distances are calculated as a straight line distance between the postcode of the ophthalmic practice and the postcode of the patient.

Note 2:

Click on image to open interactive map through web browser, alternatively use following link: Interactive chart on distance to nearest ophthalmic practice map


2. Sight Tests

This section of the report provides details on the number of health service sight tests based on claims submitted to the Family Practitioner Services (FPS) by primary care opticians. Many people qualify for a free HSC General Ophthalmic Service (GOS) sight test. These claims are submitted to BSO for payment and, as such, the figures will not include those persons that pay for a sight test. It is also possible to have multiple sight tests during a financial year, so data do not refer to individual people unless it clearly states this in the commentary.

2.1 Sight Tests Summary (including Domiciliary Tests)

Compared to the previous year, the number of health service sight tests increased by 4% in 2025/26 to 476,613, the highest in the series. Since 2005/06 there has been an increase of just over one-third (34%) in the number of sight tests (356,918). (See Figure 2.1).

Figure 2.1: Number of sight tests and domiciliary sight tests, 2005/06 - 2025/26. See Annex Table 1.04.

Those who qualify for a health service sight test but are unable to leave home unaccompanied, are entitled to a free sight test in their own home. This group usually includes older and/or people with disabilities. Domiciliary visits are also carried out in nursing or residential homes, day centres and hospital in-patient settings. The number of domiciliary visits increased by 2% from 16,309 in 2024/25 to 16,655 in 2025/26. This has risen by 50% since the beginning of the series in 2005/06 (11,139).

Domiciliary visits accounted for 3.5% of total sight tests carried out in 2025/26, similar to 2024/25 (3.5%). In 2005/06, the proportion was 3.1% of total sight tests carried out.

2.2 Sight Tests by Age and Gender

Figure 2.2 presents the number of sight tests across age categories and by gender in 2025/26. Of the 476,613 sight tests carried out, 44% were on males, 55% were on females. For the remaining 1%, the gender was unknown. Those aged 60 and over, account for 56% of all sight tests with those aged 0-15 representing 24% of tests administered.

Figure 2.2: Number of sight tests by age group and gender, 2025/26. See Annex Table 1.05 and additional supplementary information.

Looking specifically at those individual patients who attended a health service sight test during 2025/26, 26% of the female population attended a sight test compared to 21% of the male population. Those aged 16-18 show the largest difference between males and females, with 38% of females and only 25% of males attending a sight test during the year (see Figure 2.3).

Figure 2.3: Percentage of population attending a sight test by age group and gender, 2025/26. See Annex Table 1.06.

2.3 Sight Tests by Exemption Category

You are entitled to a free sight test or reduced cost towards a sight test if you::

  • Are included in an award for Income Support
  • Are included in an award for Income related Employment and Support allowance
  • Are included in an award for Income based Jobseeker’s allowance
  • Are included in an award for Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
  • Are included in an award for Universal Credit (subject to earnings threshold)
  • Are entitled to or named on a valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate
  • Are named on a valid HC2 Certificate
  • Are named on a valid HC3 Certificate (offering partial assistance with charges)
  • Are under 16 years of age
  • Are aged 16, 17 or 18 and in full time education
  • Are aged 60 years or over
  • Are diagnosed diabetic
  • Are diagnosed as having glaucoma
  • Are aged 40 or over and have a parent, brother, sister, son or daughter with glaucoma or at risk of glaucoma
  • Are registered blind or partially sighted
  • Have been prescribed complex lenses

Sight tests for people aged under 16 and over 60 account for the majority (73%) of exempted sight tests in 2025/26. The next largest exemption categories are Diabetic, Relative of Glaucoma Sufferer and Student, with each of these categories accounting for 5% of all sight tests (see Figure 2.4). In 2017/18, tax credit was the second largest exemption category; however, the number in this category has fallen drastically from 27,395 in 2017/18 to 1,382 in 2025/26 and it is now the 13th largest exemption category. This change in trend is mainly attributable to the Universal Credit implementation phase which started in October 2023 and initially focused on moving claimants who had Tax Credit exemptions onto Universal Credit. This migration from Tax Credits to Universal Credit finished at the end of April 2025. Subsequently the migration of those in receipt of Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance (Income based) and Employment and Support Allowance (Income related) started during 2025 with the aim to complete the migration by summer 2026. This can be seen by decreases in the exemption categories of 49% in Income Support, 47% in Jobseekers Allowance and 32% in Employment Support Allowance, between 2024/25 and 2025/26.

Previously, those in receipt of Universal Credit were only eligible for free sight tests in conjunction with a valid HC2 certificate which is provided through the NHS Low Income Scheme to cover the full cost of health services and as such were recorded under the HC2 exemption. However, from 1st December 2025, those in receipt of Universal Credit (subject to earnings threshold) are now eligible to free sight tests and thus recorded under the Universal Credit exemption.

It is important to note that people may qualify for a sight test based on more than one criterion but are only recorded against one. The count by eligibility is therefore approximate.

Figure 2.4: Number of sight tests by exemption category, 2025/26. See Annex Table 1.07.

2.4 Clinical Conditions Relevant to Sight Tests

Conditions such as glaucoma or diabetes can potentially increase the risk of a patient’s eyesight deteriorating and can affect all ages. Patients who are diabetic, have glaucoma, are at risk of glaucoma or are related to someone with glaucoma are entitled to a free sight test due to their condition posing a potential risk to the patient’s sight. Looking at the number of sight tests claimed under these exemption categories, increases were observed in ‘Is Diabetic’, ‘Has Glaucoma’, ‘At Risk of Glaucoma’ and ‘Is Over 40 and Relative of a Glaucoma Sufferer’ of 1%, 3%, 6% and 1% respectively between 2024/25 and 2025/26 (see Figure 2.5). Looking at the longer term comparisons across the series from 2017/18 to 2025/26, ‘Is Diabetic’ has increased from 20,731 to 23,725 (14%); ‘Is Over 40 and Relative of a Glaucoma Sufferer’ has increased from 20,537 to 24,846 (21%); ‘Has Glaucoma’ has increased from 3,070 to 3,473 (13%); and, ‘At Risk of Glaucoma’ has increased from 1,409 to 1,474 (5%).

Figure 2.5: Number of sight tests for relevant clinical conditions, 2017/18 - 2025/26. See Annex Table 1.07.

2.5 Sight Tests per head of population [note 3]

In 2025/26, South Eastern LCG had the largest per capita number of sight tests, with 260 sight tests per 1,000 relevant population. Belfast LCG had the lowest number of sight tests, with 217 per 1,000 relevant population (See Figure 2.6 & Annex Table 1.08).

Figure 2.6: Number of sight tests per 1,000 population in Northern Ireland, 2025/26.

Number of sight tests per 1,000 population in Northern Ireland in the current financial year.


South Eastern LCG had the largest per capita number of sight tests for persons aged 60 and over, with 513 sight tests per 1,000 relevant population whereas Belfast had the lowest at only 452 per 1,000 relevant population (See Figure 2.7 & Annex Table 1.08).

Figure 2.7: Number of sight tests per 1,000 population aged 60 and over, 2025/26.

Number of sight tests per 1,000 population aged 60 and over in the current financial year.


Northern LCG had the largest number of sight tests for persons under 16 with 316 sight tests per 1,000 relevant population. Western LCG had the lowest number of sight tests for persons under 16, with 270 per 1,000 relevant population (See Figure 2.8 & Annex Table 1.08).

Figure 2.8: Number of sight tests per 1,000 population aged 15 and under, 2025/26.

Number of sight tests per 1,000 population aged 15 and under in the current financial year.


Western LCG had the highest number of sight tests carried out on adults receiving passport benefits with 62 per 1,000 relevant population whereas South Eastern had the lowest at only 37 per 1,000 relevant population (See Figure 2.9 & Annex Table 1.08).

Figure 2.9: Number of sight tests per 1,000 population of adults on Passport Benefits, 2025/26.

Number of sight tests per 1,000 population of adults on Passport Benefits in the current financial year.

Note 3:

NISRA 2024 Mid-year population estimates were used to calculate per 1,000 relevant population. LCG is based on patient’s residence.

2.6 Sight Tests by Deprivation

Data are analysed using Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure (NIMDM) population-weighted deciles, in which 1 represents the most deprived areas and 10 represents the least deprived areas. Looking at the number of patients [note 4] [note 5] receiving a sight test in the last 3 years, there are noticeable differences across patients living in the most and least deprived areas although, as previously stated, this analysis is based only on those patients who qualify for a free HSC General Ophthalmic Service (GOS) sight test. For adults between the ages 16 and 59 registered with a GP, the proportion of the population receiving a sight test in the last 3 years decreases as deprivation decreases, reducing from 20% in NIMDM decile 1 to 13% in NIMDM decile 10. As these figures are shown as a proportion of the total adult population, not the total number of adults eligible for a sight test, this large decrease will largely be reflective of the decreasing eligibility in the more affluent areas. For children under 16 and adults over 60 registered with a GP, the proportion of the population attending a sight test in the last 3 years broadly increases as deprivation decreases. The proportion of children attending a sight test increases from 34% in NIMDM decile 1 to 38% for NIMDM decile 10. However, it does reach a high of 40% in NIMDM deciles 6, 7 and 8. The proportion of adults aged 60 and over attending a sight test increases from 70% in NIMDM decile 1 to 80% in NIMDM decile 10 (see Figure 2.10).

Figure 2.10: Percentage of patients attending a sight test in the last 3 years, by NIMDM, 2025/26. See Annex Table 1.09.

Note 4:

It is possible to have multiple sight tests during this period however patients have only been counted once during the 3 year period. This therefore refers to individual people.

Note 5:

Where a Health and Care number can’t be obtained for the patient (see Publication Notes at end of report), these have been excluded from this analysis. Where a valid HCN was obtained, the age group and NIMDM deciles are based on the patient’s date of birth and postcode stored in the General Practitioner’s database at April 2026.


3. Vouchers

A patient may be given a health service optical voucher which they can use towards the cost of buying glasses, having lenses fitted to their current frames or getting contact lenses, normally after a sight test (health service or paid by the patient) is carried out. This section of the report provides details on the number of vouchers processed based on claims submitted to the Family Practitioner Services (FPS) by primary care opticians. Some patients are entitled to receive help with the cost of spectacles or contact lenses – note that eligibility for an optical voucher is not the same as for a free sight test. These claims are submitted to BSO for payment and, as such, figures will not include those persons who pay in full for spectacles or contact lenses. The data in this section exclude repairs and replacements claimed on GOS4(NI)R forms; however, these data are available in Section 4.

3.1 Voucher Summary (including Prescribing Rate)

The number of vouchers processed in 2025/26 was 167,829. This remained relatively stable (+0.2%) compared to 2024/25 (167,467). Longer term, this follows an upward trend in vouchers from 171,038 in 2005/06 to a peak of 211,814 in 2016/17, an increase of 24%. Since 2016/17 there has been a generally downward trend to 167,829 in 2025/26, a decrease of 21%.

Comparing sight tests against vouchers processed gives a broad indication of the prescribing rate in Northern Ireland. In 2025/26, the prescribing rate of sight tests to vouchers processed was 35%. The prescribing rate has followed a steady declining trend from 47% in 2012/13 to 35% in 2025/26 (see Figure 3.1). It is important to note that there is not a one-to-one relationship between sight tests conducted and vouchers being prescribed so the prescribing rate metric can only ever provide a crude approximation of this. Patients have up to 2 years to use the vouchers, the sight test may be paid for by the patient or conducted in secondary care, patients may be provided more than one voucher when multiple pairs of glasses are required and some vouchers may never be processed at all.

Figure 3.1: Health Service Sight Tests, Optical Vouchers Processed and Prescribing rate 2005/06 – 2025/26. See Annex Table 1.04.

Financial Year Health Service Sight Tests Number of Optical Vouchers Processed Prescribing Rate
2005/06 356,918 171,038 48%
2006/07 367,875 173,096 47%
2007/08 384,520 176,557 46%
2008/09 396,633 181,424 46%
2009/10 415,491 187,700 45%
2010/11 422,830 191,688 45%
2011/12 434,399 198,285 46%
2012/13 437,701 203,618 47%
2013/14 445,757 205,901 46%
2014/15 453,714 206,983 46%
2015/16 468,117 207,457 44%
2016/17 476,423 211,814 44%
2017/18 464,466 205,864 44%
2018/19 470,429 200,703 43%
2019/20 468,813 198,134 42%
2020/21 311,344 141,074 45%
2021/22 436,084 179,407 41%
2022/23 446,304 178,052 40%
2023/24 467,376 177,989 38%
2024/25 459,808 167,467 36%
2025/26 476,613 167,829 35%

3.2 Vouchers by Exemption Category

Persons aged under 16 account for the largest proportion (47%) of vouchers reimbursed in 2025/26. The next largest exemption categories included Pension Credit Guarantee Credit and Student, accounting for 16% and 10% of all vouchers reimbursed respectively (see Figure 3.2). In 2017/18, tax credit was the 3rd largest exemption category, however the number of vouchers in this category has fallen from 22,849 in 2017/18 to 1,591 in 2025/26 and it is now the 8th largest exemption category. This change in ranking is mainly attributable to the Universal Credit implementation phase which started in October 2023 and initially focused on moving claimants who had Tax Credit exemptions onto Universal Credit. This migration from Tax Credits to Universal Credit finished at the end of April 2025. Subsequently the migration of those in receipt of Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance (Income based) and Employment and Support Allowance (Income related) started during 2025 with the aim to complete the migration by summer 2026. This can be seen by decreases in exemption categories of 44% in Income Support, 46% in Jobseekers Allowance and 27% in Employment Support Allowance between 2024/25 and 2025/26.

Previously, those in receipt of Universal Credit were only eligible for ophthalmic vouchers in conjunction with a valid HC2 certificate which is provided through the NHS Low Income Scheme to cover the full cost of health services and as such were recorded under the HC2 exemption. However, from 1st December 2025, those in receipt of Universal Credit (subject to earnings threshold) are now eligible to ophthalmic vouchers and thus recorded under the Universal Credit exemption.

Figure 3.2: Number of vouchers reimbursed by exemption category, 2025/26. See Annex Table 1.10.

3.3 Vouchers per head of population

In 2025/26, Southern LCG reimbursed the highest number of vouchers for children under 16 with 208 per 1,000 relevant population whereas Belfast LCG reimbursed the lowest number at 194 per 1,000 relevant population. See Annex Table 1.08.


4. Repairs & Replacements

A repair or replacement voucher should only be issued when there is no reason to believe there has been a change of an eye prescription. Children under 16 are eligible for repairs or replacements in cases of loss or damage without prior approval by the Family Practitioner Services (FPS). In line with the General Ophthalmic Services discretionary payments protocol, glasses belonging to adults (including students aged 16-18 years) should only be repaired or replaced when FPS is satisfied the breakage or loss was due to illness, or in very exceptional circumstances of major hardship. This section of the report provides details on the number of repair or replacement vouchers processed based on claims provided to the Family Practitioner Services (FPS) by primary care opticians.

4.1 Repairs and Replacement Summary

The number of repairs and replacements observed in 2025/26 was 36,630. This was a decrease of 2% on the 37,454 observed in 2024/25. With the exception of the COVID-19 pandemic where practices were closed for part of the period, this decrease goes against a generally increasing trend from 2010/11 (29,269) to 2024/25 (37,454). (See Figure 4.1).

Figure 4.1: Number of repairs / replacements, 2005/06 – 2025/26. See Annex Table 1.04.


5. Northern Ireland Primary Care Optometry Enhanced Services

This section of the report details activity undertaken at Primary Care Optometry Enhanced Services, namely the Intra Ocular Pressure Repeat Measures Service (LES I), the Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension Enhanced Case Finding Service (LES II), the Ocular Hypertension (OHT) Review and Monitoring Service, and the Post-Operative Cataract Review and Assessment Service. These services are designed to cover enhanced aspects of clinical care of the patient, all of which are beyond the scope of essential, core, General Ophthalmic Services and other Primary Care Optometry Enhanced Services.

Figure 5.1: Number of assessments at LES I, LES II, OHT and Post-Op Cataract 2014/15 - 2025/26. See Annex Table 1.11.

Financial Year LES I LES II OHT Post-Op Cataract
2014/15 2,223 n/a n/a n/a
2015/16 1,923 n/a n/a n/a
2016/17 1,907 151 n/a n/a
2017/18 1,627 651 n/a n/a
2018/19 1,151 341 27 n/a
2019/20 1,181 318 152 n/a
2020/21 751 248 537 n/a
2021/22 1,272 412 839 n/a
2022/23 1,345 414 1,317 n/a
2023/24 1,435 524 1,568 n/a
2024/25 1,244 532 1,777 n/a
2025/26 1,170 677 1,822 262

5.1 Intra Ocular Pressure Repeat Measures (Level I ES)

The Intra Ocular Pressure Repeat Measures Service (LES I) was introduced to reduce the numbers of false positive referrals for ocular hypertension (OHT).

The number of assessments at LES I in 2025/26 was 1,170, a decrease of 6% from the previous year (1,244). It is important to note that the sharp decline that occurred between 2014/15 and 2018/19 (down from 2,223 to 1,151), a drop of 48%, was due to new glaucoma guidance (issued November 2017) from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) which increased the threshold for referrals to LES I from an inner eye pressure of >21 mmHg to ≥24 mmHg.

Following an assessment at a LES I service, patients can either be referred to Hospital Eyecare Services (HES) (in some cases for LES I, this may be to a LES II accredited optometrist) or have no onward referral. In 2025/26, 59% of all assessments resulted in the patient having an onward referral to a Health Service Provider (see Figure 5.2), remaining relatively stable (+0.3 percentage points) since 2024/25.

Figure 5.2: Outcome following assessment at LES I, 2025/26. See Annex Table 1.12.

5.2 Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension Enhanced Case Finding (Level II ES)

The Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension Enhanced Case Finding Service (LES II) funds contractors with accredited and listed optometrists/OMPs to perform a defined set of clinical tests with the intention of producing an enhanced case finding for glaucoma, suspect glaucoma or ocular hypertension. These tests are performed in primary care optical practices and can be used for both patients who have a sight test under General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) as well as those who have a private eye examination.

The number of assessments at LES II decreased by 62% between 2017/18 and 2020/21. The majority of this decrease is due to a change in NICE approved glaucoma guidelines in November 2017 plus the closure of services in 2020/21 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The number of assessments at LES II in 2025/26 (677) represented a 27% increase from the previous year (532).

In 2025/26, 55% of LES II assessments resulted in the patient having an onward referral to Hospital Eyecare Service (HES) (see Figure 5.3), an increase of 3 percentage points when compared with referrals in 2024/25.

Figure 5.3: Outcome following assessment at LES II, 2025/26. See Annex Table 1.12.

5.3 Ocular Hypertension (OHT) Review and Monitoring

Ocular Hypertension (OHT) Review and Monitoring is an enhanced optometric service that commenced in January 2019. The OHT Review and Monitoring Service funds contractors with accredited and listed optometrists/OMPs to perform a defined set of clinical tests. These tests are performed in primary care optical practices and can be used for both patients who have a sight test under General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) as well as those who have a private eye examination. The service enables patients diagnosed with ocular hypertension, and who are therefore at risk of developing glaucoma, to be reviewed on an ongoing basis in primary care optometry practice. These patients would otherwise attend for regular review in the hospital. They are identified by the hospital glaucoma service and discharged to the care of the primary care optometrist for ongoing monitoring.

The OHT service has been rolled out in a carefully monitored and controlled manner. It was initiated from the Belfast Trust Glaucoma Service and initially was only provided for patients discharged from that service hence the largest proportion of patients seen within the service in 2019/20 were from the Belfast LCG area. It has gradually been extended to the other areas with finally Western Trust beginning to discharge patients to the service towards the end of 2020/21.

Since 2022/23, all HSC Trusts have fully established OHT services. As a result the number of assessments has increased by 38% from 1,317 in 2022/23 to 1,822 in 2025/26. Compared to 2024/25 (1,777), the number of OHT assessments has increased by 3%.

During 2025/26, contractors were able to claim under the OHT scheme for a number of different service types; Routine OHT Review, OHT Patient Commencing Treatment, OHT Patient Changing Treatment, OHT Patient Repeat Visual Fields and OHT Patient IOP Check. The vast majority of claims (90%) were for ‘Routine OHT Review’. It should be noted that these data were only available from quarter 3 of 2022/23. See Annex Table 1.13.

Figure 5.4: OHT service types, 2025/26. See Annex Table 1.13.

5.4 Post-Operative Cataract Review and Assessment Service

Cataract extraction is the most common elective surgery performed and demand for this service will increase in Northern Ireland as the population ages. Cataract surgery has a low rate of post-operative complications. Patients identified as non-complex surgical cases are suitable to have their post-operative cataract review and assessment undertaken by Optometrists and Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners.

The Northern Ireland Primary Care Optometry Post-Operative Cataract Review and Assessment Service commenced in July 2024. Primary care optometrists are integrated into the regional cataract care pathway in order to streamline the patient pathway and reduce the number of follow up hospital appointments enabling hospital eye services to allocate more appointments for cataract pre-assessment and other outpatient activity, reducing wait times. Appropriate, safe and effective care for patients can be delivered closer to home, with good patient experience. The cataract post-operative review should take place a minimum of 6 weeks after surgery and no later than 12 weeks after surgery.

The first claims under the Primary Care Optometry Post-Operative Cataract Review and Assessment Service were paid in July 2025. The number of Post-Op Cataract assessments in 2025/26 was 262.

Following an assessment at a Post-Op Cataract Review, patients can either be referred back to Secondary Care or have no onward referral. In 2025/26, 13% of all assessments resulted in the patient being referred back to secondary care (see Figure 5.5).

Figure 5.5: Outcome following assessment at Post-Op Cataract Review, 2025/26. See Annex Table 1.14.


6. Northern Ireland Primary Eyecare Assessment and Referral Service (NI PEARS)

This section of the report details activity within the Northern Ireland Primary Eyecare Assessment and Referral Service. This enhanced service funds ophthalmic contractors in primary care to provide an acute eye care intervention service for patients across Northern Ireland. It facilitates accredited optometrists to investigate and manage, or triage for onward referral, patients presenting with acute, sudden onset, mainly anterior and non-sight threatening eye conditions who may otherwise visit their GP or Hospital Eye Services.

6.1 NI PEARS Assessments

Following the suspension of all routine ophthalmic services on 23rd March 2020, ophthalmic practices in Northern Ireland continued to provide urgent eye care services to patients who presented with an acute eye condition. Urgent care was provided through remote consultation with face to face consultations only where absolutely clinically necessary and where correct PPE could be worn and was funded. As such, figures for NI PEARS now include activity seen via a remote consultation.

Based on claims submitted during 2025/26, a total of 53,978 unique assessments took place at NI PEARS, an increase of 5% on 2024/25 (51,517). Of these, only 10 were for remote consultations. Of the total unique assessments, 90% (48,328) were first assessments, with the remaining 10% (5,650) being follow-up assessments See Annex Table 1.17.

Figure 6.1 shows the NI PEARS assessments grouped by Local Commissioning Group and referral source. During 2025/26, the area with the most assessments conducted (13,476) was the Northern LCG, representing one-quarter (25%) of the total. The area with the fewest assessments was the Western LCG (8,653), representing 16% of the total. In terms of referral source, the vast majority of assessments were Self-Referrals (85%). This ranged from 80% of assessments in the Belfast LCG, to 88% in the Southern LCG.

Figure 6.1: NI PEARS Assessments by referral source and LCG, 2025/26. See Annex Table 1.15.

In 2025/26, the most common presenting symptom at NI PEARS face to face consultations was ‘Painful Eye’ with 23,684 presentations. This was closely followed by ‘Red Eye’ at 22,045. ‘Painful Eye’ and ‘Red Eye’ together accounted for just under two-thirds (66%) of total known presenting symptoms. It is important to note that patients can have more than one presenting symptom. The least common symptom to present with was ‘Foreign Body’ in the eye at 2,563 presentations, 4% of the known total (see Figure 6.2). Presenting symptoms are not recorded for remote consultations.

Figure 6.2: Presenting symptoms at NI PEARS by referral source, 2025/26. See Annex Table 1.16.

6.2 NI PEARS Outcomes

Patients that attend NI PEARS can have multiple outcomes following assessment.

Of the 48,328 first assessments at NI PEARS in 2025/26, there were 57,061 outcomes following assessment. 63% of outcomes resulted in patients being managed by the optometrist at the NI PEARS service. Only 13% resulted in an urgent or routine referral to Hospital Eyecare Service, with 85% of these being an urgent referral.

During 2025/26, there were 6,514 outcomes for the 5,650 follow-up assessments for NI PEARS. just over two-thirds (67%) of the outcomes resulted in patients managed by the optometrist at the NI PEARS service. 13% resulted in an urgent or routine referral to a Health Service Provider. There were 124 IOP reviews carried out through NI PEARS at the request of secondary care in 2025/26, an increase of 36% on 2024/25 (91).

Figure 6.3: Outcomes of NI PEARS assessments, 2025/26. See Annex Table 1.17.


7. Ophthalmic Services UK Comparison

This section of the report details activity on the number of sight tests, vouchers and repairs or replacements per 100,000 population per UK region. At the time of this release, ophthalmic data for Scotland and Wales up to 2024/25 was published. NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) has taken over release of the ophthalmic data for England and provided 2020/21 and 2021/22 activity for inclusion in this report. Data for 2022/23 had been included in a previous publication, but following advice around ongoing data quality issues from NHSBSA they have been removed until these issues are resolved.

As a result, the latest available year for comparison between all 4 UK regions is 2021/22. Due to the large time disparity between England and the other UK regions, the UK comparison commentary relates solely to Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales for 2024/25. However, all charts in the UK comparison section include time-series data for all 4 UK regions.

7.1 Sight Tests

During 2025/26, Northern Ireland carried out 24,722 health service sight tests per 100,000 population. This was an increase of 4% on the 23,851 sight tests per 100,000 population carried out in 2024/25.

In 2024/25 the number of sight tests per 100,000 population across Northern Ireland decreased by 2% from 24,338 in 2023/24. For Wales the number of sight tests per 100,000 population increased by 2%, and Scotland was relatively similar (-0.3%) compared to 2023/24. In 2024/25, opticians in Northern Ireland performed less sight tests (23,851) per 100,000 population than Wales (27,167) and Scotland (43,903). This represents 12% less than Wales and 46% less than Scotland.

Considering the longer term trends, between 2013/14 and 2024/25, Scotland consistently had the highest sight test rate in the UK. However, when comparing such rates across the UK, it should be noted that Scotland offers free sight tests to its population (aged between 16 and 59 years) every 2 years with some categories of patients eligible for a sight test annually. The number of sight tests in Northern Ireland per 100,000 population decreased by 2% over that time. In the same period, Wales and Scotland saw percentage changes of +10% and +15% respectively (see Figure 7.1 and Annex Table 1.18).

Figure 7.1: UK Comparison, Sight Tests per 100,000 population, 2013/14 - 2024/25. See Annex Table 1.18.

7.2 Vouchers

During 2025/26, Northern Ireland processed 8,705 vouchers per 100,000 population. This was relatively similar (+0.2%) compared to the rate of 8,687 for 2024/25.

In 2024/25 the number of vouchers processed per 100,000 population across Northern Ireland decreased by 6% from 9,268 in 2023/24. For Wales the number of vouchers processed per 100,000 population decreased by 2%, and Scotland decreased by 2% compared to 2023/24. In 2024/25, opticians in Northern Ireland processed more vouchers (8,687) per 100,000 population than Wales (8,540) and Scotland (7,203). This represents 2% more than Wales and 21% more than Scotland.

Considering the longer term trends, between 2013/14 and 2024/25, Northern Ireland has had the highest number of vouchers processed per 100,000 population across the 4 UK countries, for the entire series shown in figure 7.2. The number of vouchers processed in Northern Ireland per 100,000 population decreased by 23% over that time. In the same period, Wales and Scotland saw percentage changes of -13% and -22% respectively (see Figure 7.2 and Annex Table 1.18).

Figure 7.2: UK Comparison, Vouchers per 100,000 population, 2013/14 - 2024/25. See Annex Table 1.18.

7.3 Repairs & Replacements

During 2025/26, Northern Ireland processed 1,900 repairs and replacements per 100,000 population. This was a decrease of 2% on the 1,943 from 2024/25.

In 2024/25 the number of repairs and replacements processed per 100,000 population across Northern Ireland slightly increased by 1% from 1,922 in 2023/24. For Wales the number of repairs and replacements processed per 100,000 population increased by 12%, and Scotland increased by 2% compared to 2023/24. In 2024/25, opticians in Northern Ireland processed more repairs and replacements (1,943) per 100,000 population than Wales (1,285) and Scotland (1,913). This represents 51% more than Wales and 2% more than Scotland.

Considering the longer term trends, between 2013/14 and 2024/25, the number of repairs and replacements processed in Northern Ireland per 100,000 population increased by 12% over that time. In the same period, Wales and Scotland saw percentage changes of +33% and -3% respectively (see Figure 7.3 and Annex Table 1.18).

Figure 7.3: UK Comparison, Repairs and Replacements per 100,000 population, 2013/14 - 2024/25. See Annex Table 1.18.


8. Health Service Ophthalmic Service Costs

This section of the report details the cost of primary ophthalmic services in Northern Ireland. It is based on General Ophthalmic Services payments as processed by the BSO during the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

8.1 Ophthalmic Services Cost Summary

In 2025/26, the cost of primary care ophthalmic services in Northern Ireland was approximately £27.9 million, an increase of 13% on 2024/25 (see Figure 8.1). Longer term, the total cost of ophthalmic services in Northern Ireland has been an increasing trend. Over the series presented, it has risen by £6.1m from £21.8m in 2013/14 to £27.9m in 2025/26. The cost per head of population has increased by 21% from £11.90 to £14.50 across the same time period. The majority of the ophthalmic spend is on sight tests (£12.3m) followed by vouchers (£10.1m).

Figure 8.1: Payments made for ophthalmic services [note 6], 2013/14 - 2025/26. See Annex Table 1.19.

Financial Year Total Cost of Ophthalmic Services (£ Millions)
2013/14 21.8
2014/15 22.2
2015/16 22.6
2016/17 23.5
2017/18 22.9
2018/19 23.6
2019/20 23.8
2020/21 24.4
2021/22 24.8
2022/23 23.6
2023/24 25.3
2024/25 24.6
2025/26 27.9
Note 6:

Figures are based on the annual assurance information supplied by the Business Services Organisation (BSO) to the Strategic Planning and Performance Group of the Department of Health (formerly Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) for each financial year. From 2021/22 the figures include expenditure for prisons following a new prison contract being introduced in May 2021 with funding transferred to SPPG (formerly HSCB). During this time it has ranged between £42,519 in 2022/23 and £84,549 in 2025/26.

8.2 Local Commissioning Group Level [note 7]

At Local Commissioning Group level, Northern LCG accounts for the largest proportion (24%) of all primary care spend, whilst Western LCG accounts for just 17% of total spend for Northern Ireland. Western LCG had the highest spend (£15.20) per head of population with Belfast LCG having the lowest (£13.40) (see Figure 8.2).

Figure 8.2: Cost of ophthalmic services by LCG, 2025/26. See Annex Table 1.20.

Note 7:

When referring to cost, LCG is based on the location of the contractor.

8.3 Local Government District Level [note 8]

At Local Government District (LGD) level, Belfast LGD accounts for 16% of all primary care ophthalmic spend, while Causeway Coast and Glens and Fermanagh and Omagh each account for just 6% of spend for Northern Ireland. Looking at the spend per head of population, Ards and North Down LGD had the highest spend (£16.50) with Causeway Coast and Glens LGD (£12.30) having the lowest (see Figure 8.3).

Figure 8.3: Health service ophthalmic spend per resident, by Local Government District, 2025/26. See Annex Table 1.21.

Note 8:

When referring to cost, LGD is based on the location of the contractor.


About this Publication

This publication provides a statistical overview of general ophthalmic activity in Northern Ireland between April 2025 and March 2026. It is based on General Ophthalmic Services payments as processed by the Business Services Organisation (BSO). This data does not cover private work, prison activity and all secondary care activity.

It has been produced by independent statisticians within the FPS Information Unit. They are on secondment from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). This publication has been compiled in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics.

Further information about the work of FPS and the manner in which these statistics were produced can be found at the back of this publication.

Accredited Official Statistics logo

This is an Accredited Official Statistics Publication

Accredited official statistics are called National Statistics in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 – see here for further explanation of this terminology. These official statistics were independently reviewed by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) in May 2022. They comply with the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics and should be labelled ‘accredited official statistics’.

We have developed a series of statements to demonstrate how we meet the Code in our everyday work. These cover our independence, data quality procedures, how we make our statistics accessible whilst protecting your data, engage with you to meet your needs and, when things go wrong, how we make corrections or, should our services fall below the required standard, how you can make a complaint. All of this information is included in our Statistics Charter.

Since the assessment by OSR, we have continued to comply with the Code of Practice for Statistics, and have made the following improvements this year:

  • Figures for the new enhanced service, Post-Operative Cataract Review and Assessment Service, including outcomes, have been added to the Ophthalmic Annual publication and the quarterly series from Q4 2025/26.
  • Table 10.1 has been added to the Quarterly Ophthalmic publication from Q2 2025/26 showing a breakdown of the outcomes for NI PEARS claims.
  • Annual Family Practitioner Services (FPS) General Ophthalmic Statistics publication is now an HTML report with interactive graphics and the ability to automatically download the data presented in the charts.

Our statistical practice is regulated by the OSR. They set the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to. You are welcome to contact us directly with any comments about how we meet these standards (contact the responsible statistician listed at beginning of this publication). Alternatively, you can contact OSR by emailing regulation@statistics.gov.uk or via the OSR website here.

User Engagement

Statisticians in the Information Unit are regularly in contact with key users of the statistics. While previously readership surveys alone were used to provide an overall assessment of whether user needs were being met, the current approach employed is to supplement the surveys with focused consultations with key users on a rolling basis. This approach helps to gain greater insight into how the statistics are used and to identify additional specific requirements. In addition, any ad-hoc requests for information are recorded centrally in a database and these records are used to provide intelligence from a wider set of users in relation to changing requirements. In March 2023 a pilot User Engagement showcase event was held to advise users of the current capabilities and future developments of the statistics and obtain feedback from users. An outline of future developments as a result of user engagement is provided in the General Ophthalmic Services Statistics User Engagement Action Plan.


Publication Notes

Family Practitioner Services

Family Practitioner Services (FPS) is part of the BSO’s Operations Directorate. It provides a range of essential services to Health and Social Care organisations, primary care contractors and patients.

FPS calculates payments to health professionals in the dental, pharmacy, general practice and ophthalmic sectors throughout Northern Ireland. It also maintains the central register of patients registered with GP practices in Northern Ireland, issuing medical cards and processing changes such as name, address and doctor.

It provides professional advice, support and information to customers and members of the public and maintains the pharmaceutical, dental and the Northern Ireland Primary Medical Performers lists. FPS also provides the call and recall services for cervical and bowel cancer screening in Northern Ireland.

About this publication

This report has been produced by independent statisticians within the FPS Information Unit. They are on secondment from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). This publication has been compiled in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics. For tables relating to this report see the spreadsheets Annual Ophthalmic Statistics Tables and Supplementary Information on Sight Test, Vouchers and Repairs

Next edition

This publication is issued annually. It is expected that the next edition shall be published in June 2027. In the interim, quarterly tables are published separately here. The quarterly figures are provisional until the annual publication for that year issues, at which point they are finalised. The release calendar for future statistical publications is available on the BSO website.

Data Sources

Activity data on sight tests paid for by the HSC, optical vouchers and repairs are collected via a series of General Ophthalmic Service (GOS) online forms which are used in the ophthalmic service payment process. Although the majority of GOS payment claims can be submitted through the Ophthalmic Claim System (OCS), there are a small number of services that cannot be submitted through OCS and are submitted either manually or via an e-form on the BSO website.

  • GOS(NI)ST – Sight tests, including information on patient eligibility status and if it was a domiciliary visit.
  • GOS(NI)V – Optical vouchers - including information on patient eligibility status and voucher type.
  • GOS4(NI)R – Optical repair/replacement vouchers - including information on patient eligibility status and voucher type.
  • STC form – Manual form for private sight tests with partial help towards the full cost. Vouchers and Repair / Replacements with HC3 forms can be submitted on OCS through the standard GOS(NI)V and GOS(NI)R forms.
  • LES I & LES II – Manual form used where enhanced case finding has been carried out in accordance within the Northern Ireland Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension (Level I Level II) Enhanced Service.
  • NI PEARS – Manual and e-form for NI PEARS assessment, including outcome information.
  • OHT – E-form for OHT review assessment.
  • Cataracts – E-form for Post-operative Cataract Service review assessment.

All information is based on the data supplied by the opticians at the time of the claim and only claims which are paid by BSO after validation are included.

Definitions

Sight test eligibility

Under current guidelines at the time of publishing, the following groups are eligible for an HSC sight test.

  • Patients aged 60 or over
  • Children aged under 16
  • Students in full time education aged 16-18
  • Adults receiving Income Support
  • Adults receiving income based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)
  • Adults receiving Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Adults receiving Pension Credits guarantee credit (PCGC)
  • Are included in an award for Universal Credit (subject to earnings threshold)
  • Adults receiving Tax Credits
  • Patients holding an HC2 certificate
  • Patients named on a valid HC3 Certificate (offering partial assistance with charges)
  • Patients registered blind or partially sighted
  • Glaucoma and diabetes sufferers
  • Close relatives of a glaucoma sufferer over 40 years of age, or at risk of glaucoma
  • Patients requiring complex lenses

It should be borne in mind that people may qualify for a health service sight test on more than one criterion. However, they would only be recorded against one criterion on the GOS form. The count by eligibility is therefore approximate.

HC2 or HC3 Certificate

Some people on a low income may qualify for help towards HSC charges. Entitlement to help is based on circumstances such as level of income, savings, etc. Those qualifying for help will be sent an HC2 or HC3 Certificate. An HC2 qualifies people for full costs. An HC3 qualifies people for partial help with health costs.

Domiciliary Sight Tests

The majority of sight tests paid for by BSO are conducted at practitioners’ premises. A small proportion of tests are conducted away from ophthalmic premises. These include sight tests carried out at people’s homes.

Private Sight Tests and those with partial help

The number of people who pay in full for private sight tests in Northern Ireland is not collected by BSO. Patients with HC3 certificates as part of the low-income scheme are entitled to varying degrees of financial help with private sight tests. Data are collected via the STC form.

Optical Vouchers

The HSC optical voucher scheme covers patients who are eligible to have Health Service spectacles and were given an optical voucher to put towards buying their own choice of spectacles, or having new lenses fitted to their existing frames or be put towards the cost of contact lenses. Patients may receive a voucher for more than one pair of spectacles.

Optical Voucher eligibility

Eligibility for Health Service optical vouchers differs to that for sight tests paid for by BSO. The following groups are eligible for Health Service optical vouchers.

  • Children aged under 16
  • Students in full time education aged 16-18
  • Adults receiving Income Support
  • Adults receiving income based Job Seekers Allowance
  • Adults receiving income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Adults receiving Pension Credits guarantee credit
  • Are included in an award for Universal Credit (subject to earnings threshold)
  • Adults receiving Tax Credit and their partners
  • Patients on low income holding an HC2 or HC3 certificate
  • Patients requiring complex lenses.

Repair or replacement voucher

A repair or replacement voucher should only be issued when there is no reason to believe there has been a change of an eye prescription. Children under 16 are eligible for repairs or replacements in cases of loss or damage without prior approval by the Family Practitioner Services (FPS). In line with the General Ophthalmic Services discretionary payments protocol, glasses belonging to adults (including students aged 16-18 years) should only be repaired or replaced when FPS is satisfied the breakage or loss was due to illness, or in very exceptional circumstances of major hardship.

Optometrist or Ophthalmic Optician

An Optometrist is qualified to test eyesight and to prescribe and dispense spectacles. Their training enables them to recognise abnormalities and diseases of the eye. They are registered with the General Ophthalmic Council (GOC).

Ophthalmic Medical Practitioner (OMP)

An Ophthalmic Medical Practitioner is a qualified doctor who specialises in eyes and eye care. In addition to their medical skills, they are qualified to test eyesight and prescribe spectacles. They are registered with the General Medical Council (GMC).

Intra Ocular Pressure Repeat Measures (LES I)

The Intra Ocular Pressure Repeat Measures service (LES I) was introduced to reduce the numbers of false positive referrals for ocular hypertension (OHT). Further information on the LES I service can be found here.

Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension Enhanced Case Finding (Level II ES)

The Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension Enhanced Case Finding Service (Level II) funds contractors with accredited and listed optometrists/OMPs to perform a defined set of clinical tests with the intention of producing an enhanced case finding for glaucoma, suspect glaucoma or ocular hypertension. These tests are performed in primary care optical practices and can be used for both patients who have a sight test under General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) as well as those who have a private eye examination. Further information on the LES II service can be found here.

Ocular Hypertension Review and Monitoring (OHT)

The Ocular Hypertension Monitoring service (OHT) is an enhanced service provided by accredited optometrists to enable patients diagnosed with ocular hypertension, and who are therefore at risk of developing glaucoma, to be reviewed on an ongoing basis in primary care optometry practice. These patients would otherwise attend for regular review in the hospital. They are identified by the hospital glaucoma service and discharged to the care of the primary care optometrist for ongoing monitoring. The optometrists are required to attend regular clinical mentoring sessions led by the glaucoma service clinicians, facilitated within the ECHO program.

Post-Operative Cataract Review and Assessment Service

This enhanced service funds ophthalmic contractors in primary care to provide a post-op cataract review for eligible patients across Northern Ireland, following a cataract removal in secondary care. This assessment should be carried out a minimum of six weeks after the operation, but no more than twelve weeks. There are 3 cataracts centres in Northern Ireland. Currently only the cataracts centre at Downe Hospital has been referring patients out to this service and is managed by Belfast Trust. Belfast Trust still has to start referring patients out from the cataract centre in South Tyrone Hospital as well as Western Trust referring patients out from Mid-Ulster Hospital. Further information on the Post-Op Cataract Review service can be found here.

Northern Ireland Primary Eyecare Assessment and Referral Service

This enhanced service funds ophthalmic contractors in primary care to provide an acute eye care intervention service for patients across Northern Ireland. It facilitates accredited optometrists to investigate and manage, or triage for onward referral, patients presenting with acute, sudden onset, mainly anterior and non- sight threatening, eye conditions who may otherwise visit their GP or Hospital Eye Services. Further information on the NI PEARS service can be found here.

Access to Services during the Covid-19 Pandemic

On 23rd March 2020, ophthalmic practices in Northern Ireland were instructed to suspend all routine ophthalmic services, including domiciliary eye care services, with immediate effect with only urgent and essential eye care services provided. Care was provided through remote consultation where possible with face to face consultations only when absolutely necessary and with the correct use of PPE and infection control procedures in place. Individual contractors were provided finance support payments to stabilise their General Ophthalmic Service payment in 2020/21 and 2021/22. High street practices received these finance support payments up to October 2021 with domiciliary and prison practice providers receiving them up to March 2022. These support payments did not continue into 2022/23 but a number of payments were made during the year to cover the cost of PPE equipment. The impact of COVID-19 restrictions on ophthalmic practices had an impact on activity levels, particularly in the earlier months of 2020/21. Readers should therefore be mindful of this when interpreting the figures for and comparing to 2020/21. More information on the Finance Support Payments and Rebuilding of Services is available on the BSO website at the following link.

Data Coverage

Coverage

Data in this report are published by the financial year (01 April – 31 March) in which the claim was paid. This is not necessarily the same year as when the activity took place. As such, it will include some activity undertaken towards the end of the previous financial year and exclude some activity carried out towards the end of this reporting year which was not submitted for payment by March 2026.

The data is based on claims provided to the Family Practitioner Services (FPS) by primary care opticians and excludes all private work, prison activity (accounting for around 3% of total domiciliary sight tests) and all secondary care activity. It is possible to have multiple sight tests, vouchers or repairs during a financial year, so data does not refer to individual people unless the analysis clearly states that it does.

Workforce counts represent a headcount as at 31st March for each financial year and hence will not take account of any variations in hours worked.

Patient Demographics

Patient Health and Care Numbers (HCNs) are not available in the ophthalmic database at present and therefore a matching exercise with the central GP register was carried out in order to produce statistics by gender and area. Poor matching rates for earlier years, however, has meant only data from 2017/18 onwards is provided in this report. Patient information presented at Local Commissioning Group (Health Trust) and Local Government District (LGD) is based on the patient’s current address according to the GP register (NHAIS). In addition, any gender breakdowns are based on what is recorded on the GP register (NHAIS) and may be self-reported. There are cases where no gender is recorded and therefore were included within the Unknown category.

The ophthalmic database does record date of birth and so data is provided by age band for the last thirteen financial years, 2013/14 to 2025/26.

Population

NISRA population figures are used in this release. At the time of creation, the latest mid-year estimate available at LCG, LGD and Northern Ireland level is 2024. For consistency within the 2025/26 Northern Ireland-level and sub-Northern Ireland level calculations, the 2024 mid-year estimate was used for this year. This is because, in the absence of more up to date population estimates, this is a more accurate reflection of the current population, than using the 2018-based population projections which were developed prior to the 2021 Census and had LCG and LGD breakdowns. The 2022-based population projections are currently only available at Northern Ireland and LGD level with the latest 2024-based population projections currently only available at Northern Ireland level. These estimates are published on the NISRA website.


Technical Notes

Target Audience

The target audience for this publication has been defined as: the Department of Health, Chief Executives of Trusts in Northern Ireland, senior staff in Strategic Planning and Performance Group, health professionals, academics, HSC Stakeholders, the media and the general public.

Main Usages

This publication contains accredited official statistics on general ophthalmic activity for the most recent financial year (and earlier years where available on a comparable basis).

It can be used to monitor trends in ophthalmic services over time and across Northern Ireland.

The information can be used to support decision making, inform policy, provide advice to ministers, answer a wide range of Assembly Questions and Freedom of Information requests, for national and local press articles and, where appropriate, for international comparison.

Data Quality Summary

The data has been primarily sourced from the Ophthalmic Payment System (OCS and OVS) in respect of FPS activity and payment information. Resident population data has been sourced from official NISRA demographic statistics.

This is a business critical payment system which is subject to periodic audit. The data quality is assessed as very good based on the low percentage of claims which have to be adjusted following payment.

As an administrative data system, there will inevitably be some manual entry errors and, even for automated processes, there may be errors within the claims submitted by primary care contractors.

The extensive validation that occurs prior to payments being made, coupled with the consistency and variance checks carried out during the compilation of this publication means that the data provides a good representation of FPS Ophthalmic activity for the years covered by the report.

A background data quality report for this publication is available. Additional details are in the FPS Quality Assurance of Administrative Data report.

National/International comparisons

This publication contains comparisons between Northern Ireland and other regions of the United Kingdom. The comparative data is available from the following sources::

England - Statistics on activity - Statistics on workforce

Wales - Statistics on activity

Scotland - Statistics on activity and workforce

Further Information

Further information about Northern Ireland and its health services, which may assist readers in interpreting this publication, is available on the BSO Website.