Long waiting lists signal concern for childrens' sight in Ireland

Most eye conditions which develop in childhood are easily treated and often detected by parents, but as a result of long waiting lists concern has arisen over treatment times in these situations.

Commenting on the problem, Tony McAleer, orthoptist at Dublin's Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital said: "The big issue with eye problems in childhood is the waiting time between the problem being picked up at a school eye check and the child being seen at an outpatients' clinic."

Addressing certain issues which tend to arise in childhood, Mr. McAleer drew attention to particular conditions, saying: "Two fo four-year-olds are at risk of developing a squint when they over-focus to see clearly. It is caused by long-sightedness and is correctable with glasses, but is it best treated before the child is eight."

Similarly, children can develop a turn in the eye between the ages of two and four, however it is more likely a parent as opposed to a medical professional will pick up on this issue because, according to Mr. McAleer: "The turn doesn't usually appear until after the nine- and 18-month check-ups."

Assessing the system currently in place which offers primary school pupils eye checks in senior infants, Mr. Mc Aleer is of the opinion that a check-up in junior infants would be more beneficial, 

Having asserted that 'waiting lists are particularly long in parts of Dublin', Mr. McAleer feels eye clinics should be more accessible, saying: "Generally, we believe eye clinics should be community based rather than requiring children to attend a hospital-based clinic."

A high-quality paediatric eye service is currently being developed by the National Primary Eye Care Service Review Group of which Mr. McAleer is a member.