Michael Smith, a 66-year-old retired soldier, had waited for more than two years for a cataract operation before he decided to have treatment in Wales last weekend. The shorter delays in both counties are down to an award-winning scheme which has involved greater co-operation between optometrists and hospital eye departments. While public patients face significant delays, those with private health insurance are able to get cataract treatment in Ireland in just three months or so, the survey found. Tríona Culliton, president of the Association of Optometrists Ireland, at launch of the association’s Children’s Eye-Care & Cataract Survey Report in Dublin on Wednesday. Chief executive Sean McCrave and president Tríona Culliton of the Association of Optometrists Ireland, at the launch of the Children’s Eye-Care & Cataract Survey Report in Dublin.

Source: The Irish Times May 16, 2018 16:18 UTC