Perceived eyecare costs a deterrent, says report

New research from Healthwatch England has found that the costs of additional eyecare services “are likely to deter some people from visiting an opticians altogether”.

Using data gained from an online survey carried out between July and September 2024 – the same survey used in its recent report on waiting times for NHS specialist eyecare services – the ‘Seeing clearly? Attending sight tests and accessing opticians’ report found that the costs of additional eyecare services, such as further tests or anti-reflective lens coatings, are likely to stop some people from visiting opticians altogether.

In total, 2,568 people shared their stories about their eyecare experiences with the patient healthcare champion, with 1,766 people responding to the questions about having eye tests in the last two years.

Key survey findings

• One in seven (14 per cent) of people had avoided eyecare due to cost in the last two years
• Of those who had attended an eye test in the last two years, 72 per cent had experienced staff offering additional services at a cost
• Those who said that opticians had offered them additional paid-for services in the past were twice as likely to say they had avoided getting eyecare in the last two years compared to those who had not experienced this (17 vs eight per cent)
• People who describe themselves as ‘not at all comfortable financially’ are much more likely to avoid going to opticians than those who were financially very comfortable (39 vs three per cent)
• Most (84 per cent) of the survey respondents were eligible for free sight tests

Healthwatch England’s recommendations include:

• The Department of Health and Social Care should review support for the costs of NHS eyecare for those on the lowest incomes
• The government and the NHS should consider a targeted communications campaign through direct channels to low-income eyecare patients
• The primary eyecare sector should have clear guidelines for how staff should assist those on lower incomes without affecting their confidence in seeking care

Read the Healthwatch England report.