A major GAP in children's eye-care services across Cavan, Monaghan has been identified by Optometry Ireland. Optometrists are calling for an end, to what they say, is an "inequality" in children's eyecare and the 'geographical lottery' that has emerged when it comes to the provision of services.
The organisation's John Weldon told Northern Sound that the Constitutional rights of children are not being contravened because of the situation. He says the public health eyecare scheme afforded to adults should be extended to children over 8 years.
Mr Weldon added, that untreated eye problems in children not only cause additional learning difficulties for them in school, but can exclude them from certain professions in adulthood. "We know that delay in providing needed glasses to children negatively affects their learning.
"The ongoing gap in the provision on children's eye-care, particularly for 8-16 year olds for whom there is no national eye-care scheme, needs to be addressed urgently. The current gaps contravene our children's constitutional right to state covered eyecare.
"The HSE acknowledged this gap years ago and said it was committed to addressing it. However, the response has been very slow, minimal and piece meal. Optometry Ireland is calling on the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly to intervene, and for TDs and Senators to call out this issue.
"We want to sit down with the HSE and together implement a consistent and equitable scheme, with protocols and clarity in all regions. There are 300 optometry practices and 700 practitioners who are highly trained, have state of the art equipment and have available capacity to provide eye-care examinations, glasses fitting, care and monitoring to children.
"Resourcing the needs of children over 8 years, via a public agreement with optometrists, would also free up resources in hospitals and HSE clinics for adult eyecare to help address very lengthy waiting times," he added.
