Study of the optometry profession
Summary
Optometry in Ireland is an example of a profession where competition is generally working well and as a result consumers are largely benefiting from competition. However our study into the optometry profession raised some concerns about rules which might hinder the supply of optometry services.Publication details
- Publication date:31 May 2006
- Industry:Human health & social work - R
- NACE code:Human health activities - R.86
Documents
Market study competition in optometristsPDF | 581 KBMarket study competition in optometrists PDF | 581 KB - Opens in new window
Market study executive summary competition in optometristsPDF | 104 KBMarket study executive summary competition in optometrists PDF | 104 KB - Opens in new window
Recommendations and outcomes
We made five recommendations designed to further enhance and protect competition in optometry services.
These include:
- Changing the composition of the Opticians Board to ensure that it no longer has a majority of optometrists or dispensing opticians
- Removing unnecessary restrictions on advertising in the profession
- The Opticians Board has abolished its rules that restricted advertising
The Opticians Board is due to be subsumed into CORU, Ireland’s multi-profession health regulator. Subject to Oireachtas approval, CORU will regulate dispensing opticians and optometrists in early 2015.
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