Thank you for your request for information about the following:

Request

‘I was just looking on NHS digital to see if I could see a number for how many children had their eyes tested under the NHS last year.’

[On 28 March 2025 you sent a further email]

‘I’m wondering if it's possible to get this information broken down by age and by location? I’m not sure how it comes and what is available.

And also if I can get it for the last three years?’

[On 28 March 2025 we sent you the following clarification request]

Can you please confirm the age bands you would like the data to be broken down by? Would you like this broken down by individual age or age groups?

Can you please confirm how you would like the location data to be identified? We can provide the data based on the location of the test, or the location of patient residency. Please note, with patient residency, the data captured is as reported on the claim form, this is not validated against the Personal Demographics Service (PDS).

Can you also please confirm how you would like the location data to be reported? Currently, the lowest granularity for geography would be by NHS ICB.

[On 28 March 2025 you clarified your request as follows]

‘By individual age if possible or age groups if not.

As well as the total number of eye tests carried out on 0 – 15 year olds.

Location of the test.

I’m interested in regional variations for example Derbyshire, Yorkshire etc so yes NHS ICB would be great.’

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 20 March 2025, with clarification received on 28 March 2025.

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

Our response

I can confirm that the NHSBSA holds the information you have requested, and a copy of the information is attached.

Please note, it has recently been confirmed that a large number of duplicates were found within the data and until these are removed, the values included are indicative. We are working to resolve this data quality issue as soon as possible.

Please read the below notes to ensure correct understanding of the data.

The number of sight tests is a combination of sight tests performed in an optometry practice (GOS1s) and sight tests performed at the patient’s residence (GOS6s).

The age of the patient is recorded in reference to the period of the sight test.

The total number of sight tests carried out for the calendar years 2022, 2023 and 2024 was 9,175,963.

Data Queries

Please contact foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk ensuring you quote the above reference if you have any specific questions regarding this response; or, if you feel you may be misunderstanding or misinterpreting the information; or, if you plan on publishing the data.

Reusing the data and copyright

If you plan on producing a press or broadcast story based upon the data please contact communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

The information supplied to you continues to be protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and is subject to NHSBSA copyright. This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence detailed at:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Should you wish to re-use the information you must include the following statement: “NHSBSA Copyright 2025”. Failure to do so is a breach of the terms of the licence.

Information you receive which is not subject to NHSBSA Copyright continues to be protected by the copyright of the person, or organisation, from which the information originated. Please obtain their permission before reproducing any third party (non NHSBSA Copyright) information.