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Since the introduction of free eye tests in 2006, Scotland has reported an incredible £440m saving for the NHS. While in the short term the cost of the actual sight test itself makes an impact on the bottom line for the National Health Service, a vastly increased volume of patients taking advantage of the service has seen increased early detection rates in many eye diseases and conditions and as such can be treated much more effectively, quickly and cheaply.
Statistically speaking:
- An extra 285,000 people received eye tests in the 6 year period between 2006 and 2012
- Sufferers of poor vision in Scotland is estimated at 155,000
- The cost to the NHS to treat sufferers of poor vision came in at around £2bn in 2010
- Of the new patients under the free service an estimated 2,600 would never have been examined
- Of the new patients under the free service an estimated 73% would have their eye condition resolved
The big push for regular eye checks is nothing new, and other UK countries also adopt similar methods, many at private health care practices. While commerce might be the incentive for some companies, an ability to diagnose un-recognised diseases at an early stage allows treatment to begin early and give the sufferer continued good vision or an increase in quality. It is believed that many treatable eye conditions can go undetected by a patient for up to 5 years.
As arguably the most required of our senses and certainly considered the most needed to experience a normal life in today's technological world, sight is of extreme importance to us and quality is equally essential. The downside to eye conditions other than the sufferers way of life, has a massive impact on public health care services time, expertise and money while long term vision loss or legally blind status' can see even more caring required as a patient begins to learn to deal with life without sight.