In focus: Optometry tide turns across Irish Sea

This weekend, practitioners in Ireland will be celebrating the climax of Healthy Eyes Awareness Week – in the safe knowledge their profession is entering a new era.

Running from January 18-24, Healthy Eyes was designed to drive more patients to high street practices by making the sight test part of their ‘New Year’s resolution’. Campaigners weren’t alone in calling for such action – but Irish optometrists have more reason than most to bang the drum for eye health at the moment.

Late last year, regulatory changes for optometrists removed restrictions on their scope of practice, allowing them to diagnose and treat eye conditions with far greater freedom. It means Irish optometrists have the opportunity to expand their practice activities into new services, while the regulation of dispensing continued.