Breaking News : Stormont event to showcase high street optometrists-Tomorrow

Stormont event to showcase how high street optometrists can cut hospital waiting lists

Tuesday 23 September 2025, 12.00–14.00 Room 115, Parliament Buildings, Stormont

Community optometrists are helping patients avoid long waits for hospital eye care – their role in tackling Northern Ireland’s waiting list crisis will be the focus of a special Eye Health Week event at Stormont organised by Optometry NI (ONI).

With ophthalmology waiting lists now exceeding 41,000 patients and waits of up to five years, the event will highlight how high street optometrists are improving access to care, easing pressure on hospitals and using new technology to prevent avoidable sight loss.

The event will hear from Mike Farrar, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health, alongside leading clinicians and representatives from the optometry profession.

Media opportunities:

• Interviews with patients who recently benefited from community optometry
• Interview with Brian McKeown, Chair of ONI
• Live demonstrations of OCT machine (3D eye-scanning technology)

Sponsored by Danny Donnelly MLA and hosted by Optometry Northern Ireland (ONI)