Our Vision

Optometry Ireland is committed to better eyecare for all citizens in Ireland, where all children and adults have equal access to high-quality eye care in the community and hospital when they need it, both for early detection and for treatment.

In Ireland, waiting lists to access hospital eye-care are very high and there is an over reliance on Hospitals clinics to meet demand.

There were 32,832 outpatients awaiting eye-care appointments at the end of December 2023, and 8,678 inpatients were awaiting eye procedures – one of the largest of any medical speciality.

Despite that between 2020 and 2022 the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) eye-care costs increased from €10.5m to €21.7m.

Access and resources available at community level at Optometrists are underutilised and Optometry Ireland supports a model of public eye-care which is community-based, accessible, and more cost effective. Optometrists can help to deliver this and keep patients out of the hospital system.

A man wearing a beanie, glasses, and a denim jacket smiles while holding a smartphone and a coffee cup. He is walking along a tree-lined street with shops in the background on an autumn day.
Elderly woman with glasses and short hair is reading a book with a young girl in a pink sweater. They are sitting on a sofa, wrapped in a blanket, with warm lighting creating a cozy atmosphere.

More Optometrists Needed

Demand for eye-care will continue to increase significantly as our population increases and ages. Conditions not being detected or detected late, giving worse outcomes and reduced quality of life to patients.

More capacity can be achieved and €millions saved by providing more public care in the community through Optometrists – it is 50% less expensive to provide a standard appointment at an Optometrist than a hospital.

We believe that expanding the role of Optometrists is a central element of better meeting increasing demands of our growing and aging population.

A smiling man with glasses is embraced by two children, a curly-haired girl and a boy with tousled hair, both also wearing glasses. They are indoors, displaying a happy family moment.

Better Eye-care for All

Close-up of a pair of eyeglasses being held by a hand under a lens cutting or polishing machine, showcasing the process of preparing glasses.

Policy Submission

  • Better Eye-care for All, 2016

A child wearing glasses and a white t-shirt smiles while playing on a green rope climbing structure outdoors. The focus is on the joyful expression, with the background softly blurred.

Pre-budget Submissions

  • Pre-budget 2024 Submission
  • Pre-budget 2023 Submission
  • Pre-budget 2022 Submission