Optical practices in Ireland and Australia are re-opening their doors this week and are encouraging people with eyecare needs to go to their provider.

In Ireland, all services, both urgent and non-urgent, including routine eye exams, will be available – however social distancing and patient safety measures will be followed.

The president of the Association of Optometrists Ireland (AOI), Patricia Dunphy, said the two major pieces of advice for the public are: “From Monday contact your optometrist if you have eyecare needs – even if non-urgent. The recommended approach is to phone the optometrist in advance to discuss your needs and to then make an appointment based on this.”

Adaptations under current safety requirements include:


– All clinically necessary tests are available but eye examinations will change to reduce contact time


– Management of numbers in the premises at one time (there is no set number as premises floor sizes vary, but the two metre principle will be followed)


– Contact with equipment minimised and sterilised after use


– Where close examinations are required, PPE will be used and recommended protocols followed


– Eye drops may be used to speed up eye exams and these patients are advised to not drive for a number of hours afterwards

Optometry Australia (OA) has also issued guidance to practices that were closed or only giving urgent care. This accompanies a staged easing of restrictions, which would likely occur at different speeds for each state and territory.

Following the Australian Department of Health’s advice, OA issued the statement: “We interpret this to mean that, provided you are according with the relevant restrictions for the state and territory, and implementing stringent infection control, optometrists can begin providing the standard suite of optometric services.”