Nearly 460,000 Health Service sight tests delivered in 2024-25

Date published: 12 June 2025

New official statistics published today by NISRA statisticians in Business Services Organisations (BSO) present an overview of general ophthalmic activity in Northern Ireland during the 2024/25 financial year.

Key findings:

• Almost 460,000 health service sight tests were provided in Northern Ireland during 2024/25, a slight decrease from the previous year's 467,376 tests
• Four out of every five sight tests were for children under age 16 or patients aged 60 and over
• Women were more likely to receive health service sight tests than men, with 25% of the female population attending a test during the year compared to 20% of males
• Approximately 167,500 optical vouchers were processed in 2024/25, with almost half (48%) for children under age 16
• The prescribing rate continues to decline, with one voucher issued for every three sight tests conducted, down from 47% in 2012/13 to 36% in 2024/25
• A record high 37,454 repairs and replacements were processed, continuing an upward trend
• The Northern Ireland Primary Eyecare Assessment and Referral Service (NI PEARS) conducted 51,517 unique assessments, a 4% increase on 2023/24

About the publication

The General Ophthalmic Statistics for Northern Ireland 2024/25 report provides comprehensive information on ophthalmic services delivered through primary care opticians. The publication includes detailed data on:

• Ophthalmic workforce
• Health service sight tests by eligibility, location, and demographics
  Optical vouchers and repairs/replacements
• Enhanced services including NI PEARS and Intra Ocular Pressure monitoring
• UK comparisons and health service ophthalmic costs
• These statistics are based on payment claims submitted by primary care opticians to Family Practitioner Services and do not cover private work, prison activity or secondary care.

Further information

Read the full report: General Ophthalmic Statistics for Northern Ireland Annual Statistics 2024-25