General Ophthalmic services workforce statistics - 31 December 2019

An Optometrist, also known as an Ophthalmic Optician (OO), is qualified to test eyesight and to prescribe and dispense spectacles. Their training enables them to recognise abnormalities and diseases of the eye. They are registered with the General Ophthalmic Council (GOC).

An Ophthalmic Medical Practitioner (OMP) is a qualified doctor who specialises in eyes and eye care. In addition to their medical skills, they are qualified to test eyesight and prescribe spectacles. They are registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). 

The Ophthalmic Performers List (OPL) (commonly referred to as the Performers List) records all ophthalmic practitioners authorised by NHS England to perform NHS sight tests. Each region maintains a Performers List and while a practitioner may be recorded on only one Performers List, they are authorised to perform NHS sight tests anywhere in England. The Performers Lists have applied in England from August 2008.

The Ophthalmic Lists (OL) apply in Wales and are a register of all ophthalmic practitioners holding a contract with an LHB to undertake NHS sight tests. To hold a contract with an LHB, an ophthalmic practitioner must meet the GOS terms of service including those relating to premises, equipment and records. The Ophthalmic Lists applied in England until August 2008 and continue to apply in Wales.

The Supplementary Ophthalmic Lists (SOL) (commonly referred to as the Supplementary Lists) apply in Wales and are a register of ophthalmic practitioners qualified to carry out NHS sight tests who may be working under a particular contract. They do not hold the contract but are authorised to carry out NHS sight tests as an assistant on that contract. The Supplementary Lists applied in England from 2005 until August 2008 and have applied in Wales since 2006.

The Contractor Lists are administrative lists set up by NHS England and are not a requirement of current regulations. These list contractors who can receive payment for GOS services provided to the general public on behalf of the NHS. A contractor must have a contract for each area where they want to provide services under GOS contracts. As this list is mainly used for the purpose of payments to contractors no analysis on this is included in this report. The Contractor Lists have applied in England since 1 August 2008.