Optometrists have insisted that the existing contract for public eye care is not fit for purpose. They are calling for a new contract with the HSE, which they believe would enhance eye care and reduce long waiting lists in this area.

According to the Association of Optometrists (AOI), an increase in community-based eye care would bring Ireland into line with other countries throughout Europe.

The AOI’s current contract with the HSE dates back to 1999, however, there have been major changes in this area over the last two decades, such as around the scope of practice and advances in training and equipment.

AOI president, John Weldon, said that there is “significant untapped potential” among optometrists, and their expertise could be better used to tackle long waiting lists.

“National Treatment Purchase Fund waiting list figures to the end of April 2021 show more than 40,000 on the outpatient eye care waiting list and 7,300 on the inpatient waiting list.

“Optometrists are calling on the Department of Health and the HSE to engage with the profession and develop a new contract, which takes advantage of opportunities for more responsive patient care,” Mr Weldon said.

He suggested that there is “an ongoing reluctance among health service decision makers to better utilise optometrists”, despite the fact that there are over 300 optometry practices and 700 practitioners in every part of the country.

“They have capacity to provide much needed care. Meanwhile, our citizens can wait many years to be seen for cataracts. There have been major changes in optometry over the past 20 years. The techniques have changed, equipment and technology have transformed. An eye examination is very different from what it once was. Treatments and patient pathways have evolved,” Mr Weldon said.

A new contract would allow a number of issues to be addressed, such as the national rollout of a children’s eye care programme and the rollout of the Sligo model to alleviate delays in the treatment of cataracts.

Cataract surgery accounts for a large amount of the capacity problems experienced by eye services. However, the Sligo scheme, which involves greater collaboration between Sligo Hospital and optometrists, has led to this region having the shortest waiting time for cataract surgery.

“An analysis carried out by the AOI found that these changes can be delivered with minimal cost, or even with overall cost savings,” Mr Weldon added.

The AOI has raised these issues directly with the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, and with the CEO of the HSE, Paul Reid, and is awaiting a response.