Increase role in routine care to relieve pressure on hospitals
- Optometrists in the community are well placed to monitor chronic conditions for patients close to their own homes, in line with Sláintecare goals.
Roll out of the proven the Sligo post-cataract scheme
- This scheme is delivered in only the North West of the country and involves a greater role for Optometrists in the care of people post cataract surgery and working more closely with hospital eye departments
- The scheme has been proven to reduce waiting times for access to service in the North West, and to be cost effective.
- National roll out of this proven scheme has been committed to in the last two Programmes for Government, but is yet to be implemented.