Vision problems are fairly common as people get older. Services to help with vision problems - optometric or ophthalmology services - are provided by optometrists, dispensing opticians, general practitioners or consultant ophthalmologists. For some people, including medical card holders, these services can be free of charge through the HSE.

Optometrists can examine your eyes to diagnose problems with vision. They examine eye health, test your visual acuity, depth and colour perception and your ability to focus and coordinate your eyes. Optometrists can also prescribe spectacles and contact lenses.

Dispensing opticians recommend and dispense spectacle frames, lenses, contact lenses etc. having considered your prescription, lifestyle, hobbies etc. They cannot prescribe prescription spectacles or contact lenses for you.

General Practitioners can examine eyes and prescribe spectacles and contact lenses. They can also refer you if necessary to an eye specialist or consultant ophthalmologist who perform eye surgery as well as treat eye diseases and injuries.

Eye Services can be provided free of charge to certain people, including:

• Medical Card holders and their dependants
• People who contracted Hepatitis C through blood products in Ireland and who have a Health Amendment Act Card
• Preschool children and national school children referred from child health service and school health service examinations.

If you are among the groups which qualify for free services you should contact your local health office, health centre or clinic for a vision test. You may be referred from your general practitioner for tests and treatment to a HSE clinic or private provider, contracted to provide services for the HSE.

If you are not among the qualifying groups, the Treatment Benefit Scheme will cover you and your dependent spouse (provided you have enough social insurance contributions) for certain free optical services.

Treatment Benefit Scheme
The Treatment Benefit scheme is a scheme operated by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Under this scheme, contributions made by people to the national social insurance fund are paid back to fund the cost of certain health benefits. These health benefits include dental benefit, hearing aids, contact lenses and Optical Benefit.

What Is Optical Benefit?
Optical Benefit pays some of the cost of treatments relating to eye care for people who do not qualify for free care and who have paid enough social insurance (PRSI). Benefits can include help with the cost of:

• Glasses
• Replacement lenses to existing frames
• Eye examination (this does not cover the cost of an eye examination for visual display units (VDU) such as computers or for driving licences)
• Contact lenses.

Applying for Treatment Benefit:
You must apply to the Department of Social and Family Affairs for approval by completing the appropriate application form(s).

Under the Treatment Benefit Scheme you must satisfy certain conditions regarding payment of PRSI in order to qualify for Treatment Benefit.

For more information on the Treatment Benefit Scheme, contact your local Social Welfare Office or go to www.welfare.ie.

Treatment Benefit Section
Department of Social and Family Affairs
St. Oliver Plunkett Road
Letterkenny
Co. Donegal
Telephone: LoCall 1890 400 400 (Ext 44480) (From Republic of Ireland only) or
Dublin (01) 704 3000

You can get information booklets and application forms from your local Social Welfare Office, or by telephoning the Department's LoCall Leaflet Request Line at 1890 20 23 25.