Annual Conference 2026Galway Eye Care Reforms Highlighted at Irish College of Ophthalmologists Annual Conference
Over 250 Eye Specialists attend conference to discuss latest developments in the specialty
Ireland’s eye care system has been quietly undergoing a significant structural shift since 2013, when the National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology was established. The central aim is clear: too much eye care was traditionally delivered in acute hospitals when many patients could be assessed, monitored and treated safely in the community. Moving appropriate services closer to home frees hospital capacity, shortens waiting times and improves patient access.
A key enabler of this reform has been the Integrated Eye Care Team (IECT) model, a multidisciplinary team of ophthalmic nurses, orthoptists, optometrists and technicians working under the clinical leadership of a Consultant Medical Ophthalmologist. These teams provide much needed high-volume community-based eye care while maintaining strong links with hospital ophthalmology services.
The first IECTs were launched in 2020 in North Dublin (linked to the Mater Hospital) and South/West Dublin (linked to the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital). Since then, the model has expanded into Cork and the West of Ireland, where the Galway region has become a leading example of how integrated pathways can transform access to care.
Galway: Leading the Way in Community Eye Care
Major improvements in eye care services across the Galway region were highlighted at the Irish College of Ophthalmologists Annual Conference, held at The Galmont Hotel in Galway this week (13-15th May).
Cataract remains the highest-volume surgical procedure in Ireland, and demand continues to grow with an ageing population. In response, the HSE in collaboration with the National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology, has introduced new cataract pathways designed to streamline referrals and ensure hospital surgical capacity is used efficiently.
At a dedicated Cataract Symposium on Wednesday, 13th May, Dr Geraldine Comer, Consultant Medical Ophthalmologist for HSE West / North West, outlined the modernised cataract pathway currently operating across the west region and the significant benefits it is delivering for patients.
Speaking at the conference, Dr Comer described how the implementation of the cataract pathway in the region is helping patients move more efficiently from referral to assessment and onward treatment, while ensuring hospital services are focused on surgery and more complex cases.
“A standardised cataract-only referral form has been developed for GPs and optometrists referring to the HSE system. This ensures that patients referred for surgical assessment are suitable, informed and ready to proceed if surgery is offered. Patients who do not yet require surgery can remain under community optometric care until the appropriate time.
The new model of care is designed to reduce unnecessary hospital visits, shorten waiting times and allow more services to be delivered closer to patients’ homes through community-based clinics. Community pre-assessment clinics, supported by technicians, nurses and optometrists, also allow much of the preparatory work to be completed locally before surgery.
The Clinical Programme has developed a cataract-only with Healthlink referral form to make the referral form available digitally which is now in use in Galway.;
A second centre for cataract pre-assessment will be commencing in summer 2026 in Tuam Primary Care Centre to facilitate appointments for patients east of Galway City who currently have to travel to Shantalla in Galway City Centre for their appointment. This is in keeping with the guiding principle for Sláintecare, "Right Care, Right Place, and Right Time”.
Paediatric Ophthalmology Developments in Galway
The Galway region has also seen major progress in paediatric ophthalmology services, with redesigned referral pathways and expanded community services substantially reducing waiting times for children requiring assessment and treatment.
The Ophthalmology Paediatric Care Pathway, which has been in operation in Galway since May 2023, is a Community Healthcare West managed integrated service with links to Galway University Hospitals.
The clinics are run by a Community Integrated Eye Care Team, led by a Consultant Medical Ophthalmologist, and operate five days a week in Galway City (Shantalla) and Tuam. Waiting times for paediatric patients requiring eye tests have been reduced dramatically from 2 years to 6 weeks in Galway under the new Ophthalmology Modernised Care Pathway.
These developments form part of the wider National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology which aims to modernise eye care services nationally by shifting appropriate care from hospitals into community settings.
The Consultant Medical Ophthalmologist Role
The expansion of community ophthalmology services has been underpinned by the growing role of the Consultant Medical Ophthalmologist. This consultant-led model ensures that patients receive specialist oversight while benefiting from care delivered in accessible community settings.
Consultant Medical Ophthalmologists provide governance, clinical decision-making and supervision across paediatric, cataract and chronic disease pathways. They also create stronger integration between hospital and primary care services, helping patients move seamlessly through the system when escalation or surgery is required.
In regions such as Galway, this role has been central to establishing trusted, high-functioning community services that can safely manage increasing patient demand.
Integrated Eye Care Teams: A Modern Model of Care
The Integrated Eye Care Team model represents a modern, patient-centred approach to healthcare delivery. By combining the expertise of multiple professionals in one service, patients can receive assessment, diagnostics, monitoring and treatment in a single coordinated pathway.
Benefits already being seen include:
-
Reduced waiting times for paediatric patients
-
Faster access to cataract assessment and surgery pathways
-
More hospital capacity for complex and urgent cases
-
Care delivered closer to home
-
Better use of specialist workforce skills
-
Improved patient experience and convenience
Building for the Future - Investment in a Digital Health Infrastructure
Speaking at the conference, Ms Aoife Doyle, National Clinical Lead for Ophthalmology said;
“We very much welcome the role out of the Healthlink cataract referral form. Further progress depends on investment in shared digital health records so hospital and community teams can access the same patient information in real time. This will be especially important as Galway and other regions continue expanding cataract, paediatric, glaucoma and medical retina pathways.
What is already clear is that the Galway region has shown how new care pathways, Consultant Medical Ophthalmologist leadership and Integrated Eye Care Teams can deliver measurable improvements for patients. It offers a strong blueprint for the future of ophthalmology services across Ireland.”
The Irish College of Ophthalmologists Annual Conference brought together eye care specialists from across Ireland and internationally to discuss the latest advances in ophthalmology, patient care and service innovation.
The full conference programme is available at: https://www.eyedoctors.ie/
13 May 2026