AOI welcomes changes to Irish profession

Regulatory changes to the optical profession in Ireland have been heralded as ‘a new era for optometry’ in the country.

As of November 1, regulation of the profession in Ireland was to be transferred from the current Opticians Board to CORU (The Health & Social Care Professions Council).

Peter Coleman, chief executive officer of the Association of Optometrists Ireland (AOI), welcomed the changes, adding that the AOI had been deeply involved at all stages of consultation.

‘Optometry in Ireland is about to experience a watershed event,’ he said.

Changes included the repeal of the Opticians Act, he said, which had restricted scope of practice of optometrists in Ireland and become ‘an enormous barrier to professional progress’, while the regulation of dispensing has been continued.