Why it matters: Suffolk's ageing population means more residents will need eye care in coming years, putting increasing pressure on hospital vision services across the county.
By the numbers: Around 75,600 people in the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board area attended a hospital outpatient vision appointment in 2023-24 – an average of nearly 210 people per day. It was up 7% from 70,895 people the previous year, and the highest figure since records began in 2013-14.
It means 6,520 people per 100,000 population attended an appointment in the area, which was above the 6,127 per 100,000 average rate across England.
The big picture: Overall, 9.8 million vision-related hospital appointments were attended in England in 2023-24, including 195,920 in Suffolk and north east Essex.
Suffolk's population is ageing, with almost one in four people in Suffolk aged 65 and over (24.1%). The population of older people is predicted to increase further, and in 20 years, one in three people will be 65 and over, putting further strain on local services.
The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities reports that the number of people attending appointments has increased over the last decade, primarily due to the ageing population, despite a drop during and following the Covid-19 pandemic.
What's next: A Royal College of Ophthalmologists spokesperson warned that pressure on services could increase as an ageing population may lead to increasingly frequent eye health conditions.
"This will be felt most acutely in areas with high population density of elderly people," they said. "For sustainable and comprehensive ophthalmology services, it's essential that all treatment, including cataract surgery, should be delivered based on clinical need, not restricted by funding limitations."
What they're saying: A Fight for Sight charity spokesperson warned there could be a "knock-on effect on eye health" if people lack support after a vision diagnosis, as "people just may not be aware that they should be getting their eyes tested, especially if they have hereditary conditions such as glaucoma".
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "We want to make it as easy as possible for people to access eye care by expanding the NHS services offered by high street opticians. Our 10 Year Health Plan will shift more care into the community, giving power to patients, and has a specific focus on improving services in more deprived or under-served communities."
The bottom line: Suffolk's record-high vision care appointments reflect the county's ageing demographics and highlight the growing demand local NHS services will face in coming years.
