David Lammy, who met representatives of the profession following an Eyecare Services Steering Group meeting earlier this year, was uprooted in the surprise government reshuffle and has now joined the Department for Constitutional Affairs.
A DoH spokeswoman said: 'David Lammy is no longer with the department, and we're currently making plans to assign his former responsibilities to a new minister. We will make that appointment shortly.'
Dr John Reid has taken over from Mr Milburn who stepped down last week to spend more time with his family.
Dr Reid was born in Scotland in May 1947 and educated at Coatbridge. He read History at Stirling University, and took a Doctorate in Economic History.
He has been MP for Motherwell North (renamed Hamilton North and Bellshill) since 1987. He was Minister of State for Defence from 1997 to 1998; Minister for Transport from 1998 to 1999; Secretary of State for Scotland from May 1999 to January 2000; Secretary of State for Northern Ireland from January 2000 to October 2002; Minister without Portfolio and Party Chair from October 2002 to April 2003 since when he has been Leader of the House of Commons and President of the Council.
The Department of Health emerged this week with a new secretary of state after Alan Milburn's shock resignation Ð but no announcement as to the new minister responsible for General Ophthalmic Services.