Munro praises graduates at College event

The celebrations of those newly qualified from university were further underscored by the well documented controversy over student top-up fees in higher education.
Speaking to optometry graduates and their relatives, president of the College Frank Munro said the profession was now clearly recognised as 'a key primary care profession' and reminded the audience that current plans to extend the role of optometrists included improving services for patients with glaucoma, AMD, cataract, and low vision.
He also told them that optometry was well placed to meet the future demand of demographic changes, which would see a population increase of 25 per cent in those aged 65 and over by 2020.
'Optometrists have the skill, facilities, equipment and are easily accessible for the public and represent a much under-utilised health care resource.'
He told his audience that optometrists' role as 'eye health carers' was better understood and valued today by other professions, the Government and the public than it was 20 years ago.