asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of sight tests carried out each year by opthalmic surgeons, opthalmic opticians and optical medical practitioners since the optical benefit scheme at his Department was inaugurated.
Written Answers. - Sight Tests.
832.
The optical benefit scheme was taken over from the Department of Local Government and Public Health when the Department of Social Welfare was established in January 1947. Statistics in relation to the different categories of professionals providing the treatment under this scheme have not been maintained in the Department.
The total numbers of claims each year from 1947 to date are as follows:
|
Year to 31 March |
Total claims paid |
|
1947 |
10,050 |
|
1948 |
15,083 |
|
1949 |
22,702 |
|
1950 |
17,542 |
|
1951 |
19,878 |
|
1952 |
21,331 |
|
1953 |
21,726 |
|
1954 |
20,477 |
|
1955 |
19,137 |
|
1956 |
19,852 |
|
1957 |
21,353 |
|
1958 |
21,078 |
|
1959 |
20,205 |
|
1960 |
22,336 |
|
1961 |
25,695 |
|
1962 |
27,955 |
|
1963 |
32,426 |
|
1964 |
31,021 |
|
1965 |
36,430 |
|
1966 |
35,766 |
|
1967 |
37,609 |
|
1968 |
38,832 |
|
1969 |
40,785 |
|
1970 |
36,300 |
|
1971 |
59,000 |
|
1972 |
52,869 |
|
1973 |
59,866 |
|
1974 |
52,910 |
|
Apr-Dec: 1974 |
41,711 |
|
Jan-Dec: 1975 |
74,446 |
|
1976 |
87,185 |
|
1977 |
88,844 |
|
1978 |
81,365 |
|
1979 |
59,139 |
|
1980 |
69,393 |
|
1981 |
81,605 |
|
1982 |
75,730 |
It is estimated that in recent years approximately 90% of these claims included a sight test.