The Health Minister recently visited a leading Lisburn eye care practice to see how community optometry is helping patients receive faster treatment closer to home, while reducing pressure on Northern Ireland’s overstretched hospital services.

Hosted by Optometry NI, Mike Nesbitt’s visit to Brogans Eyes & Ears practice showcased how local optometrists are already supporting the Department of Health's vision for neighbourhood care through its network of local and accessible services.

Brian McKeown Optometry NI Chair said: "In practices right across Northern Ireland our highly trained members are helping people access specialist eye care quickly, in their own communities, while reducing unnecessary pressure in other parts of the health service.

"With the right investment we can do even more to prevent sight loss, improve patient outcomes and free up valuable hospital capacity.”

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA with Chair of Optometry NI Brian McKeown and colleagues during a visit to Brogan’s Eyes and Ears practice in Lisburn. Pictured are l-r: Colm Rooney, Richard McNeight, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA, Brian McKeown, Jill Campbell and Andrew Jess. Pic credit: Kelvin Boyes

placeholder image — Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA with Chair of Optometry NI Brian McKeown and colleagues during a visit to Brogan’s Eyes and Ears practice in Lisburn. Pictured are l-r: Colm Rooney, Richard McNeight, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA, Brian McKeown, Jill Campbell and Andrew Jess. Pic credit: Kelvin Boyes

During the visit the Health Minister met practice staff, observed advanced diagnostic technology in use, and discussed how enhanced community services are reducing demand on hospital eye departments.

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Over 47,000 people currently on hospital ophthalmology outpatient waiting lists and demand for eye care continuing to grow, community optometry is keeping more patients out of hospital settings through the Primary Eyecare Assessment and Referral Service (PEARS), which helps patients who have developed a sudden eye problem within the previous 14 days.

Richard McNeight, Optometrist at Brogans added: "It was a pleasure to welcome the Minister to our practice and demonstrate the range of care community optometrists now provide.

"Patients increasingly expect more treatment to be delivered closer to home, and community optometry is well placed to support that ambition."