General Ophthalmic Services key figures 2024-25 (NISRA and BSO)
Ophthalmic Services
The Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) has contracts with over 250 ophthalmic practices across the region to provide general ophthalmic services for Health Service patients. The SPPG also plans and develops a range of special enhanced services to help manage increasing demands for eye health services.
On this page you will find information on service developments in eye health, and links to information and advice on eye health and care services.
Enhanced services
In addition to sight tests and the provision of optical appliances such as spectacles and contact lenses, optometrists may also be approved to provide enhanced services.
Enhanced services enable the optometrist to undertake additional or repeat tests to better determine the status of your eye health. Your optometrist will advise you if you require these additional or repeat tests.
There are currently three types of enhanced services offered:
- Ocular Hypertensipn and Glaucoma Care Pathway
- Northern Ireland Primary Eyecare and Assessment Service (NI PEARS)
- Cataract Post-Operative Review and Assessment Scheme
Ocular Hypertension and Glaucoma Care Pathway
If your optometrist detects signs of either of the following eye conditions: ‘ocular hypertension’ or ‘glaucoma’, when they examine your eyes, they may be able to provide additional clinical tests to help them confirm if you need to be referred to the hospital eye service for further investigations. These additional tests allow the optometrist to provide helpful information on the health status of your eyes which will help the eye clinic staff decide if you need an appointment in the hospital, and if so, how quickly you may need to be seen in the eye clinic.
Some patients who may have previously attended the hospital eye service for monitoring of their ocular hypertension can also now attend an optometrist in the community to have their condition reviewed and monitored, instead of travelling to a hospital eye clinic. Patients who are suitable for this service will be provided with information by their eye clinic staff and the patient can choose which optometrist they wish to attend from a list of optometry practices that are involved in providing this monitoring service.
Northern Ireland Primary Eyecare and Assessment Service (NI PEARS)
NI PEARS is a service provided by most optometry practices across Northern Ireland for patients who have developed a sudden eye problem within the previous 14 days, such as:
- Red eye(s)
- Pain and/or discomfort in the eyes, or around the eye area
- Sudden reduction in vision in one or both eyes
- Recent onset or sudden increase of flashes and/or floaters in one or both eyes
- Something in your eye that you can’t remove yourself
For more information about the NI PEARS service, please click here.
Cataract Post-Operative Review and Assessment Scheme
Some patients who have undergone cataract surgery without any complications can now have their follow-up review closer to home in a local optometry practice. The surgical centre will advise patients if they are suitable for this. The patients will choose which practice they attend and will make the appointment themselves, following guidance provided by their surgical centre. Most optometrists in Northern Ireland are providing this service. For full information on this service click here.
Information about eye care professionals
There are a range of professionals involved in looking after your eye health including, optometrists, dispensing opticians and other staff. Find out more about eye-care professionals.