Number of ophthalmic practitioners by health board

Standard shorthand is used in this table: [t] = total, [x] = not available.

Data values	Data description	Date	Area	Measure
125 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2021	Cardiff & Vale University Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Female
192 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2021	Cardiff & Vale University Local Health Board	Optometrists
67	Number of Examinations	31/03/2021	Cardiff & Vale University Local Health Board	Optometrists - Male
125	Number of Examinations	31/03/2021	Cardiff & Vale University Local Health Board	Optometrists - Female
0 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2021	Cardiff & Vale University Local Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners
0	Number of Examinations	31/03/2021	Cardiff & Vale University Local Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners - Male
0	Number of Examinations	31/03/2021	Cardiff & Vale University Local Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners - Female
966 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Wales	Fully Qualified Practitioners
418 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Wales	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Male
548 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Wales	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Female
962 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Wales	Optometrists
414 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Wales	Optometrists - Male
548 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Wales	Optometrists - Female
4 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Wales	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners
4 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Wales	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners - Male
0 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Wales	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners - Female
262 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners
136 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Male
126 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Female
260 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board	Optometrists
134	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board	Optometrists - Male
126	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board	Optometrists - Female
2 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners
2	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners - Male
0	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners - Female
43 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Powys Teaching Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners
18 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Powys Teaching Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Male
25 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Powys Teaching Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Female
43 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Powys Teaching Local Health Board	Optometrists
18	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Powys Teaching Local Health Board	Optometrists - Male
25	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Powys Teaching Local Health Board	Optometrists - Female
0 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Powys Teaching Local Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners
0	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Powys Teaching Local Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners - Male
0	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Powys Teaching Local Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners - Female
111 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Hywel Dda Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners
51 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Hywel Dda Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Male
60 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Hywel Dda Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Female
109 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Hywel Dda Local Health Board	Optometrists
49	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Hywel Dda Local Health Board	Optometrists - Male
60	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Hywel Dda Local Health Board	Optometrists - Female
2 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Hywel Dda Local Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners
2	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Hywel Dda Local Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners - Male
0	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Hywel Dda Local Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners - Female
100 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Swansea Bay University Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners
40 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Swansea Bay University Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Male
60 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Swansea Bay University Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Female
100 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Swansea Bay University Health Board	Optometrists
40	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Swansea Bay University Health Board	Optometrists - Male
60	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Swansea Bay University Health Board	Optometrists - Female
0 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Swansea Bay University Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners
0	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Swansea Bay University Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners - Male
0	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Swansea Bay University Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners - Female
113 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners
50 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Male
63 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Female
113 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board	Optometrists
50	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board	Optometrists - Male
63	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board	Optometrists - Female
0 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners
0	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners - Male
0	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners - Female
181 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners
77 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Male
104 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Female
181 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board	Optometrists
77	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board	Optometrists - Male
104	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board	Optometrists - Female
0 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners
0	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners - Male
0	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners - Female
196 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Cardiff & Vale University Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners
74 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Cardiff & Vale University Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Male
122 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Cardiff & Vale University Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Female
196 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Cardiff & Vale University Local Health Board	Optometrists
74	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Cardiff & Vale University Local Health Board	Optometrists - Male
122	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Cardiff & Vale University Local Health Board	Optometrists - Female
0 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Cardiff & Vale University Local Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners
0	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Cardiff & Vale University Local Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners - Male
0	Number of Examinations	31/03/2022	Cardiff & Vale University Local Health Board	Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners - Female
1,016 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2023	Wales	Fully Qualified Practitioners
432 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2023	Wales	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Male
583 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2023	Wales	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Female
1 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2023	Wales	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Unknown Gender
1,012 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2023	Wales	Optometrists
428 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2023	Wales	Optometrists - Male
583 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2023	Wales	Optometrists - Female
1 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2023	Wales	Optometrists - Unknown Gender
274 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2023	Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners
141 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2023	Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Male
133 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2023	Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Female
272 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2023	Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board	Optometrists
139	Number of Examinations	31/03/2023	Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board	Optometrists - Male
133	Number of Examinations	31/03/2023	Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board	Optometrists - Female
43 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2023	Powys Teaching Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners
17 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2023	Powys Teaching Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Male
26 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2023	Powys Teaching Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners - Female
43 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2023	Powys Teaching Local Health Board	Optometrists
17	Number of Examinations	31/03/2023	Powys Teaching Local Health Board	Optometrists - Male
26	Number of Examinations	31/03/2023	Powys Teaching Local Health Board	Optometrists - Female
114 [t]	Number of Examinations	31/03/2023	Hywel Dda Local Health Board	Fully Qualified Practitioners

Showing 1,001 to 1,100 of 1,282 rows

Page 11 of 13

Main information

• Most recent update: 30 September 2025
• Next update expected: September 2026
• Designation: Official statistics
• Data provider 1: NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership
• Data source 1: Ophthalmic List
• Data provider 2: NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership
• Data source 2: Ophthalmic Supplementary List
• Data provider 3: NHS England
• Data source 3: No specific source from data provider
• Time period covered: December 1996 to March 2025

Data notes

Overview

• Summary of dataset and variables:

  This dataset shows the number (headcount) of optometrists working in primary care in Wales. It includes optometrists, student optometrists and ophthalmic medical practitioners, broken down by local health board, sex, and year. For years up to 2019, the data reflects headcounts as at 31 December, and from 2020 onwards, as at 31 March.

• Data collection or calculation:

  Figures for the optometry workforce are reported as of 31 December each year for 2019 and earlier, and as of 31 March for 2020 and subsequent years, due to different data sources being used. For years up to 2019, figures are sourced from NHS Digital’s publication, which reflects practitioners authorised by local health boards to perform NHS-funded sight tests, based on data from the Central Ophthalmic Payments system. This data collection ceased after 2019. For 2020 and beyond, data is sourced from the performers’ list (Ophthalmic List and Ophthalmic Supplementary List), a register of ophthalmic practitioners who can practise in Wales, maintained by NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership. Data from the two sources are collected differently and are not exactly comparable. As the same person could be listed across more than one health board, the headcount is based on a unique count of registration numbers in each health board. Therefore, health board numbers may not necessarily add up to the figure for Wales. Note for 2023 onwards, totals include unknown gender.

• Statistical quality:

  Data from 2020 onwards are not directly comparable with earlier years due to changes in data source and reference period. From 2023 onwards, totals also include cases with unknown gender. Primary care workforce figures are based on the ophthalmic performers list, which can temporarily include optometrists who have stopped working. This may lead to a slight overestimate of the active workforce. Following the introduction of WGOS, improved validation has led to more timely and systematic removal of inactive performers, which is likely to explain the decrease in 2024. There is also a requirement for student optometrists to be listed in the Supplementary Ophthalmic List (SOL), and therefore, data for student optometrists are available from 2024 onwards. On 1 April 2019, health service responsibility for Bridgend residents moved from Abertawe Bro Morgannwg to Cwm Taf. Health board names also changed: Cwm Taf became Cwm Taf Morgannwg, and Abertawe Bro Morgannwg became Swansea Bay. See the weblinks section for official statements.

• Related reports:
  • Eye Care Statistics
  • Quality report

Published by

• Organisation: Welsh Government
• Contact email: stats.healthinfo@gov.wales

Metadata

The metadata for this dataset is not included when you download the data. You can download this separately. This contains all the information from the 'About this dataset' tab.