Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2026
137. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to address the increasing prevalence of myopia, and particularly its presentation among teenagers following completion of school vision screening programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28448/26]
View answerMyopia, more commonly known as short or near sightedness, is a condition that is increasing in prevalence among young children and teenagers both globally and in Ireland.
In the first instance, research indicates that daily outdoor activities, and managing children’s screen time and sleep time, may be beneficial to slowing the progression of myopia.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides optical services free of charge to pre-school children and national school children referred from child health service and school health service examinations who are discovered to have sight problems. These children are referred to the appropriate service for treatment. In such circumstances, these services will continue to be provided until the child has reached the age of 16. Furthermore, under the Community Ophthalmic Services Scheme (COSS), medical card holders or their dependents (aged over 12 years) can receive eye exams from local eye care professionals and receive optical appliances as needed free of charge.
If a child is discovered to have sight problems during these screenings, they can also get free treatment via a Modernised Paediatric Care Pathway under which a Consultant Medical Ophthalmologist leads an Integrated Eye Care Team of nurses, orthoptists, optometrists and technicians. These teams facilitate assessment, diagnoses, management and treatment, enabling most patients to be seen in their own locality.
Significant investment has been made in developing and strengthening these Integrated Eye Care Teams, of which there are 10 across the 6 Health Regions. These Teams are also facilitating large-scale transfer of care from hospital outpatient departments to community settings, with a substantial proportion of referrals assessed, treated, and discharged outside the acute system. Evidence from several regions indicates that 60–70% of paediatric ophthalmology referrals can be safely managed in community settings once these Teams and pathways are in place.
