The lack of public eyecare for children in Ireland has been highlighted by Optometry Ireland’s new president.

According to Tania Constable, who is a paediatric specialist optometrist working in the HSE, optometry “can provide a key role in addressing the pressures facing the health system now and into the future”.

“The first issue that needs to be addressed is access to public eyecare for children, particularly for 8-16 year-olds for whom there is no national public scheme. Optometry Ireland has long raised the issue of the lack of a national scheme for the provision of public eyecare for children,” she noted.

She pointed out that optometrists “are trained, have the required equipment and are available to provide a public programme to older children to improve their health outcomes”.

“We can alleviate unacceptable waiting times and unsustainable pressure on hospital eye departments and GPs,” she insisted.

Taking on the role of president, Ms Constable said she is “delighted to have the opportunity to lead Optometry Ireland into what promises to be a period of dynamic change in the profession”.

The organisation also has a new vice-president – Sinéad Ryan – who is qualified in both optometry and pharmacy.

Both Ms Constable and Ms Ryan were welcomed to their new roles by Optometry Ireland CEO, Seán McCrave.

“There are opportunities for optometrists to provide needed capacity to the health system and Ms Constable and Ms Ryan are both focused on progressing this. Both I and our council will work closely with them to achieve better eye health for the population aided by a thriving optometry profession,” he commented.

With 700 members, Optometry Ireland represents the vast majority of practising optometrists in Ireland.