ICO issue response to AOI interview on Today with Sean O'Rourke RTE, Monday 5th February 2017

In response to an interview with Ms Lynda McGivney-Nolan, Association of Optometrists, aired on the Today with Sean O’Rourke show, RTE earlier today (Monday 5^th Feb, 2017), the Irish College of Ophthalmologists strongly refutes the suggestion that ophthalmologists are not in favour of optometrists being involved in eye care delivery.

The ICO and our members are fully in support of the HSE recommendations for primary care eye services published in 2017, which includes the recommendation that optometrists are part of the team in the delivery of eye care.

The enhanced model recommended in this report proposes that a team of eye doctors, optometrists, orthoptists and nurses work together in the community in primary care centers. This community team approach leads to a better all-round service and outcome for patients and is more cost effective than any other model.

The ICO urges all those with a role in eye and patient care to support the roll out of the HSE recommendations.

Dr Alison Blake

President, Irish College of Ophthalmologists

5^th February 2018