A medical card patient in Co Mayo who breaks their glasses must wait more than five months for replacement approval by the Health Service Executive (HSE), according to Ballina-based optometrist Joseph Gavin.
In Co Mayo, there is a five-month waiting list for the adult eye-testing scheme, while Co Sligo has a waiting list on average of four days, and Co Galway 14 days.
"The Department of Health signed contracts guaranteeing forms of approval would be issued to patients within four weeks of receipt," Mr Gavin insists. "However, nothing is being done despite repeated attempts by the Association of Optometrists Ireland and Mayo-based optometrists to discuss the matter with the Minister for Health Mary Harney and the HSE," he said.