Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of people who are short-sighted in each of the last five years; and what steps he is taking to ensure such people are properly treated.

The Department does not collect data on the numbers of people who are short sighted, therefore no such estimate has been made. Information is, however, available on the number of National Health Service sight tests provided and NHS optical vouchers issued. This information is available on the Health and Social Care Information Centre website:

http://www.hscic.gov.uk/searchcatalogue?productid=18320&topics=2%2fPrimary+care+services%2fEye+care+services%2fEye+care+services+activity&sort=Relevance&size=10&page=1#top

Individuals who are experiencing problems with their vision, possibly due to short sightedness, are encouraged to have a sight test with an optometrist or ophthalmic medical practitioner. Sight tests, whether provided on the NHS or privately, allow the opportunity to review all aspects of eye health, including whether there is a need to correct short sightedness, the main treatment for which is glasses or contact lenses.