Eye health

Guidance and services

• Optometry COVID-19 guidance: green phase
  Guidance for optometry professionals on the green phase of COVID recovery planning. All UK nations are currently in the green phase.
• Statement on NHS eye care services payments during the COVID-19 pandemic
  Statement on average monthly payment to optometrists for general ophthalmic services provided during COVID-19.
• Get help with NHS eye care costs
  Find out whether you are entitled to a free NHS sight test and help towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses.
• Sharing patient information between eye health professionals (WHC/2018/022)
  Guidance for ophthalmologists and optometrists on the sharing of clinical information about patients.
• Certification of vision impairment (WHC/2016/036)
  Guidance on the process for certifying patients as partially sighted or blind.
• Eye Health Examination Wales (EHEW): cataract patient pathway (WHC/2016/010)
  Guidance for health boards on trusts on referrals and post-operative care for cataract patients.
• Children's vision pathway for 4 to 5 year olds (WHC/2015/011)
  Guidance for health boards and trusts on school eyesight screening and referrals for 4 to 5 year olds.
• Sharing patient information between eye health professionals (WHC/2015/022)
  Guidance for health boards on the sharing of information between opthalmologists and optometrists.
• Eye Health Examinations Wales (EHEW): manual and protocols (WHC 2014/007/14)
  Guidelines for optometrists on protocols for eye health examinations.
• NHS Wales Eye Care Services payments during the COVID-19 Pandemic) (Wales) Directions 2020
  Directions on payments to optometrists for the provision of eye care services during COVID-19.
• Check what help you could get to pay for NHS costs
  Check whether you can get help with NHS healthcare costs, such as eye tests, glasses and dental treatment.
• Claim for help with health costs (HC1W)
  Use this form to claim for help with health care costs if you have a low income.
• Claim a refund for NHS optical charges: form HC5W (O)
  Use this form to claim a refund for an NHS sight test, glasses or contact lenses if you are entitled to help due to your income.
• Certification of vision impairment (WHC/2023/010)
  Guidance on the process for certifying patients as partially sighted or blind.

Policy and background Includes strategy, reports, projects and assessments.

• David O'Sullivan
  Key people
  David O’Sullivan is the Chief Optometric Advisor
• NHS Wales eye health care: future approach for optometry services
  Policy and strategy
  How we expect NHS Wales to deliver eye health care services over the next decade.
• The National Health Service (Wales Eye Care Services) (Wales) Directions 2023
  Legislation
  Shows the amendments to the Low Vision Service Committee (Wales) Directions 2016 and the Eye Health Examination Services Committee (Wales) Directions 2016.
• The Low Vision Service Committee (Wales) Directions 2016 (with consolidated amendments)
  Legislation
  Shows the amendments made to the Eye Health Examination Service Committee (Wales) Directions 2016 by the National Health Service (Wales Eye Care Services) (Wales) Directions 2023.
• The Eye Health Examination Service Committee (Wales) Directions 2016 (with consolidated amendments)
  Legislation
  Shows the amendments to the Low Vision Service Committee (Wales) Directions 2016 and the Eye Health Examination Services Committee (Wales) Directions 2016.
• Optometry: delivering 'A Healthier Wales' 2021 to 2031
  Policy and strategy
  How we will ensure that people can access timely, safe quality eye care in line with A Healthier Wales, our long-term plan for health and social care.
• Statement of general ophthalmic services remuneration
  Legislation
  The statement provides for the resumption of the normal general ophthalmic services payments and claims process.
• Amendment to the Statement of General Ophthalmic Services Remuneration
  Legislation
  Statement on average monthly payment to optometrists for general ophthalmic services provided during COVID-19.
• Eye health care delivery plan 2013 to 2018: prioritised action plan
  Policy and strategy
  Our achievements and eye health care priorities up to 2018.
• Eye health care delivery plan 2013 to 2018: report 2014
  Report
  Our achievements and eye health care priorities up to 2014.
• The National Health Service (Wales Eye Care Services) Directions 2020
  Legislation
  The Directions provide for the resumption of the normal Wales Eye Care Services payments for providing these services.
• The National Health Service (Wales Eye Care Services) Directions 2021
  Legislation
  Statement on NHS eye care services payments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Low Vision Service Committee (Wales) Directions 2016 (2016 No.11)
  Legislation
  The directions were made and come into force on 5 April 2016.
• The National Health Service (Charges for Optical Appliances) Directions 2016 (2016 No.6)
  Legislation
  These Directions set out the maximum charge that patients have to pay for purchasing expensive lenses via the Hospital Eye Service.
• Directions to Local Health Boards 2014 (2014 No. 6)
  Legislation
  These Directions set out the maximum charge that patients have to pay for purchasing expensive lenses via the Hospital Eye Service.
• Directions to the Hywel Dda Local Health Board as to the All Wales Low Vision Service 2010 (2010 No.46)
  Legislation
  Hywel Dda University Health Board
  Directions to formalise current arrangements for the all Wales LVS.
• The Eye Health Examination Service Committee (Wales) Directions 2016 (2016 No.10)
  Legislation
  The directions were made and come into force on 5 April 2016.
• Ophthalmology summit: 23 November 2022
  Meeting
  This is the summary report from the ophthalmology ministerial summit.
• Reform of primary care ophthalmic services: regulatory impact assessment (RIA)
  Impact assessment
  The RIA provides an assessment on the likely costs, benefits and risks associated with the proposed policy changes.
• Reform of primary care ophthalmic services: equality impact assessment
  Impact assessment
  An assessment of primary care ophthalmic services on the impact on equality.
• Reform of primary care ophthalmic services: children's right impact assessment
  Impact assessment
  We assessed how primary care ophthalmic services affects children's rights
• Reform of primary care ophthalmic services: integrated impact assessment
  Impact assessment
  An impact assessment on the effects of the proposed reform of ophthalmic services delivered in primary care in Wales.
• Statement of general ophthalmic services remuneration and fee Directions
  Legislation
  The statement provides for the normal general ophthalmic services payments and claims process.