Scottish Budget: uplift in funding for community eye care

Optometry Scotland has welcomed an uplift in funding for community eye care announced in the 2026–2027 Scottish Budget.

The Budget confirmed a 1.8% uplift in funding for community eye care – taking total funding to £144.5 million.

The funding will be used to support a range of services and initiatives within Scotland, including universal NHS eye examinations under General Ophthalmic Services, the Community Glaucoma Service, and the design and development of a new low vision service.

Optometry Scotland chair, Eilidh Thomson, welcomed the investment in community eye care as part of the Scottish Budget.

“Community optometrists play a vital role in providing accessible, high-quality care close to home, and this Budget reinforces the importance of that contribution as pressures across the health system continue,” she said.

A statement from Optometry Scotland noted that while the Budget demonstrates a clear commitment to optometry, expectations on the profession continue to increase.

The statement added that the uplift for community eye care sits below the overall Health and Social Care budget increase.

“Continued engagement will therefore be important to ensure community optometry is appropriately supported as it plays an expanding role in NHS reform,” Optometry Scotland stated.

The Budget includes investment in hospital eye services, including the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh.

Optometry Scotland highlighted that within hospital eye services, demand for assessment and follow up continues to place pressure on capacity.

“Community optometry already plays a vital role in supporting patient flow and access, and effective co-working between hospital and community services will remain essential to improving outcomes,” the statement noted.