Community optometry helping to cut Northern Ireland eyecare waiting lists

Stormont event highlights how primary care optometrists ease pressure on hospital eyecare services today and could shape eyecare services for tomorrow.

Community optometry’s role in cutting waiting lists and easing pressure on hospitals was the focus of a reception at Stormont today (23 September), organised by Optometry Northern Ireland (ONI).

As part of Eye Health Week 2025 (23–29 September), the event brought together MLAs, clinicians, policymakers, and patient voices to highlight how services delivered in local optometry practices can transform access to care and support the future of Northern Ireland’s eyecare system.

Optometry Northern Ireland (ONI), the representative body for optometrists and dispensing opticians, showcased how community-based eyecare services can help address the growing eyecare crisis in Northern Ireland.

Over 51,000 patients are currently on ophthalmology outpatient waiting lists and face waits of anywhere between one and six years, depending on which Trust you live in.

With such long waits for eyecare treatment, some patients experience serious consequences, including anxiety, reduced quality of life, and irreversible sight loss.

“Primary care optometrists are highly skilled, local, and ready to help with 95% of the population living less than 5 miles from a practice,” said Brian McKeown, Chair of Optometry NI.

“There is a government drive to reset and move more care into the community. Our network of 263 practices and over 700 optometrists are already seeing patients quickly, managing urgent cases in the community, and taking pressure off hospitals. With the right support, we can deliver a sustainable, efficient, world-class eyecare service for everyone in Northern Ireland.

“As the body representing the profession in Northern Ireland, we believe the time is right to call for fair funding, expansion of services that work well and investment in training the new eyecare clinicians of tomorrow.”

The event at Stormont was addressed by Mike Farrar, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health. Commenting on the importance of community optometry, he said:

“The Department of Health is committed to making it easier for patients to access the care they need. Community optometry shows how services delivered closer to home can detect problems early, reduce waiting lists, and ease pressure on hospitals, all while improving outcomes for patients.”

Dr Catherine Hunter, a retired GP from Dungannon, who was recently referred on to hospital after attending her local optometry practice, said:

“As a former GP seeing patients with acute eye problems, I often used and appreciated community optometry services in an overstretched health system. When I noticed worrying symptoms myself recently, my optometrist saw me immediately and, following a complete examination including a retinal scan, referred me for further care.

“It was reassuring to know that expertise is available in the community, close to home, when every hour matters. Community optometry has a vital role in helping patients get the care they need without delay.”

The need for accessible and timely eyecare services is being accelerated by NI’s ageing population. One in six people are currently over the age of 65 and this is set to rise to one in four by 2039. NI also has a significant rural population of 36% making accessible eyecare services essential.

It is estimated that 50% of visual impairment is preventable, highlighting the importance of early detection and monitoring in local optometry practices.

The event at Stormont also highlighted the success of the PEARS Plus pilot, through which 89% of acute eye conditions were managed by Independent Prescribing Optometrists working in the community, rather than patients having to go to hospital. This ensures faster treatment closer to home and significant financial savings for the health system. Patient satisfaction was exceptionally high, with 100% of PEARS Plus users saying they would use the service again.

ONI’s ask is for this service to be rolled out across Northern Ireland.