Healthwatch England publish eye care experience report

News - 26 March 2025

The report warns long waits for eye care are having a huge impact on people's daily lives and provides recommendations for improving care.

The report  - A strain on sight: Waiting for NHS specialist eye care makes these recommendations:

  • Patients waiting for NHS specialist eye care strongly support using high street opticians' staff more to help address the impact of long wait times.
     
  • Seventy per cent of patients report a decline in vision during their wait for care, while over half said the wait impacts work, daily activities or mental health.
     
  • Just four percent report getting information and advice to help with day-to-day activities like working.
     
  • Healthwatch England urges the Government to use community optometrists more to cut waits and the NHS to improve patient support while they wait. Clearer NHS data is also needed to ensure patients with the most serious eye conditions get help first.

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