Report praises competition in Irish market

Ireland's Competition Authority has spoken of the Republic's optical profession in glowing terms in an investigation of whether competition is benefiting Eire's consumers.

In a preliminary report on competition associated with the country's dental and optometry professions, the authority stated that Ireland's dentists work within layers of unnecessary laws and regulations with prices rising above 'the general rate of health inflation'. In contrast, the authority found that competition in the optometry profession appeared to be working well.

'Many of the unnecessary restrictions the competition authority has found in other professions are not present in the optometry profession,' said a spokesman.

Nevertheless, the authority has made recommendations which will affect the work of Ireland's 586 optometrists, and are aimed at enhancing and protecting competition in optometry services.

It recommends Ireland's Health Service Executive should use optometrists to provide state-funded eye tests for children. Currently optometrists are excluded from providing eye tests to children under 16 identified as a result of health screening examinations. 'Allowing these children to get their free eye test from a qualified optometrist would eliminate the waiting lists to see an ophthalmologist and reduce the cost to the state'.

The authority also claims Ireland's Opticians Board and the Association of Optometrists Ireland impose unnecessary restrictions on canvassing and corporate advertising. A reduction in restrictions would make it easier for consumers to compare prices and the range of services on offer, it said.

A review by the country's Higher Education Authority is called for to reveal how many extra optometry places are needed to meet future demand.

The authority also recommends that the Opticians Board be brought into line with other regulators of health professions.