A Roscommon optometrist is calling on the HSE to engage with the sector to tackle eye care waiting lists.
Optometry Ireland says the backlog is unacceptably high at over 42,000 patients.
John Weldon is Honorary Secretary of the organisation, he's asking the Department of Health to make greater use of optometrists to get more patients seen sooner.
He says the Sligo Cataract Scheme which is a partnership between the local hospital and Optometrists, provides an example of what can be achieved.
Speaking on Let's Talk earlier stated there's a 3 to 5 year wait for some patients in this region.
"There are 300 optometry practices in Ireland with 700 practitioners who are qualified, trained, equipped, available, and willing to provide this service. It's just a matter of the HSE sitting down. They failed seriously to take the initiative. We are proposing something that is already successful across other jurisdictions in Europe"
