ICO News 24 SUMMER 2019 - Eye Doctors News 24_SUMMER... · 2019-06-26 · ISSUE 24 SUMMER 2019...

ICO NEWSLETTER > SUMMER 2019 PAGE 1

NewsletterISSUE 24 SUMMER 2019

Irish College of Ophthalmologists121 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. Tel 01 402 2777e: [email protected] • w: www.eyedoctors.ie t: @eyedoctorsirl

If you would like to make anysuggestions for future issues ofthe College Newsletter please contact Siobhan on [email protected]

The College was honoured to onceagain welcome internationalophthalmic colleagues to participate inthe programme of talks alongside ourmember guest speakers. We would liketo especially thank Professor NicholasJones, Consultant Ophthalmologist and

Clinical Director of Uveitis Service,Manchester Royal Eye Hospital whodelivered a superb exposition on adifficult disease in his talk for the 2019Mooney Lecture “Old Diseases in theNew Century: Déjà vu in the UveitisClinic”.

Annual Conference 2019

Annual Mooney Lecturer 2019 Professor Nicholas Jones, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Clinical Director ofUveitis Service, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital is pictured with ICO Dean Yvonne Delaney at the ICO AnnualConference which took place from the 15th - 17th May, 2019 at the Galway Bay Hotel.

The 2019 Annual Conference of the Irish College of Ophthalmologists tookplace at the Galway Bay Hotel from Wednesday 15th to Friday 17th May.

Over 200 delegates attended the three day meeting of symposia, workshopsand papers covering a broad range of topics relating to the latest clinical andscientific updates in the specialty.

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Messagefrom thePresidentDear All,

It was a great honour to accept thePresidential chain of office of our Collegeduring the Annual Conference. I would firstlylike to congratulate Alison Blake on thewonderful job she did as President and alsofor the many other roles she has held in theCollege. She will indeed be a very hard act tofollow. I look forward to the challenges thatlie ahead knowing what an excellent team wehave.

We all hold our College very dear – thatwas evident at our recent Annual Meeting. Iwould encourage everyone in whatevercapacity they can manage to get involved. Yourvoice matters and we want to hear from you.

I would like to congratulate and thankYvonne Delaney for all her work as Dean,especially for the wonderful job she has donein setting up the Medical Ophthalm ologyProgramme. The standing ovation shereceived from the trainees at the AnnualDinner said it all. We are all so very gratefulto Yvonne and look forward to her continuedsupport in times ahead.

Special thank you to John Doris and histeam for all the hard work and organisationthat made the meeting such a success.Thanksalso to Gerry Fahy who has been such adedicated chairman of the TrainingCommittee. Kathryn McCreery now stepsinto the role and we wish her well in her newposition.

A big thank you to Billy Power who hasmade significant progress as Clinical Leadthrough his tireless work and we look forwardto the development of the Integrated Eye CareTeam Model in the near future. The Collegewill host an educational meeting in Septemberas a joint initiative with the ClinicalProgramme.

May I wish you all a lovely and welldeserved summer break and look forward toseeing you at the Winter Meeting andMontgomery Lecture and many other eventsover the coming year.

Please save the date to celebrate "6/620/20 "– a unique day for us all. We arecurrently planning the event and would loveto hear any suggestions you might have.

With Best WishesPATRICIA QUINLAN

ICO NEWSLETTER > SUMMER 2019PAGE 2

Paediatric Symposium

Prof Lloyd’s lecture on advances inthe approach to and management ofpaediatric cataract discussed theepidem iological studies carried out viathe British and Irish congenitalcataract interest group and the lessonslearned from the American InfantAphakia Treatment Study (IATS) andBritish IoLu2 studies. In his talk, ProfLloyd explored the role of moderngenomics in the accurate diagnosis ofthe underlying aetiology of congenitaland developmental cataract, anddiscussed a modified diagnosticalgorithm to assist the clinician intheir approach to children withcataract.

Prof Mary King’s presentation,

“The “Ayes” have it: Ophthalm -ological Clues to NeurologicalDiagnosis in Children”, illustratedwith clinical vignettes, provided aninsight into the neurological disorders(acute-onset, congenital orprogressive) where ophthalmologicalsigns provide an early clue todiagnosis, often with therapeutic andgenetic implications. Prof King’s mainareas of research interest are neuro-genetics, movement disorders andcausation of neonatal encephalopathyand childhood disability. She hasmany publications in the field ofPaediatric Neurology and is co-authorof “A Handbook of Neuro logicalInvestigations in Children”.

Professor Chris Lloyd, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Great OrmondStreet London joined Miss Sarah Chamney, Consultant Ophthalmic

Surgeon, Temple Street Children’s University Hospital and Professor MaryKing, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist at Temple St. Children’s UniversityHospital, Rotunda Hospital and Beaumont Hospital and Professor inPaediatrics at University College Dublin, School of Medicine & MedicalScience as keynote speakers at the Paediatric Symposium on Thursday17th May.

Keynote speakers at the Paediatric Symposium at the ICO Annual Conference, Prof Chris Lloyd, ConsultantOphthalmologist, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London and Miss Sarah Chamney, ConsultantOphthalmic Surgeon, Temple Street Children’s University Hospital, Dublin pictured with co-chairs of thesession Maureen Hillery and John Doris.

Diabetic RetinopathyScreeningProgramme update –Five Years On

An update on the National DiabeticRetinopathy Screening Programme

was presented by its Clinical Lead DavidKeegan at the ICO Conference in Galway.Delegates heard that DiabeticRetinaScreen, which commenced on aphased basis in 2012 and now has 124screening locations and seven treatmentcentres nationally, is delivering positiveresults for diabetic patients in Ireland,with the detection of pre-symptomaticdisease and providing sight-savingtreatments in at-risk patients.

Speaking to the Medical Independent inGalway, David Keegan said “uptake rates aresteadily rising and we are confident that thetrue impact of our programme, reduction inblindness and vision impairment due todiabetic retinopathy, will be achieved.”

Addressing concerns raised during adiscussion in relation to the recent rulingby Mr Justice Kevin Cross in the RuthMorrissey Case, David said clarity on theissue is needed urgently to avoid negativeimplications for screening in Ireland.According to the judgment, “with absoluteconfidence” is deemed the standard thatshould be applied to the reading of allscreening slides.

It was noted that no screening test has100 per cent specificity and sensitivity andthat absolute confidence was an impossibleask of any screening programme. AlisonBlake told the Conference medicalscreening was a very important populationhealth measure aimed at reducing the riskof developing the advanced stages of aparticular disease. She noted the risk couldnot be entirely eliminated and that therewas still a misperception about the basisand limitations of screening in the publicand the media.

David Keegan stressed that thoseinvolved with the Diabetic RetinaScreenpro gramme were very conscious andsympathetic of the impact on individualpatients involved in the CervicalCheckcontroversy and that their primary concernwas about protecting patients and ensuringthe continuation of screening. The State isset to appeal the landmark ruling by MrJustice Kevin Cross in the case of RuthMorrissey. The state claims agency willappeal on behalf of the HSE in respect ofthe primary and lliability findings, togetherwith the ‘absolute confidence’ finding.

The panel of speakers included PaulMullaney, Sligo University Hospital, BarryQuill, Clinical Lead for the Cataract Unit,Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, andMr Paul Chell, who recently retired fromhis role as Clinical Director of Head andNeck Surgery at Worcester Royal EyeHospital. Mr Chell outlined the awardwinning model he developed atindependent cataract clinics in the UK,renowned for their patient focusedefficacy and standards of excellence. Thesession was chaired by Clinical Lead forOphthalmology, Billy Power.

The new dedicated cataract theatres inNenagh and Dublin are having asignificant impact on cataract waitinglists, with waiting lists below six monthsat both units and capacity to now extendthe service to patients listed at othernearby hospitals.

The unit in Nenagh Hospital,established in 2018, has increased servicefrom operating one day a week to fourdays following the appointment of anadditional surgeon, with the hope thatthis will increase to five days.

Paul Mullaney highlighted theinnovative work being carried out in SligoUniversity Hospital to reduce waitingtimes and maximise the numbers ofpatients being operated on, includinghaving a patient booking system that canfill up any last-minute surgical slots withsuitable patients on standby.

In his presentation on the new unit atthe RVEEH, Barry Quill confirmed that1,600-1,700 more cataract operationswere performed last year as a result of thenew facility and that the aim is to increasethe number to over 2,000 in 2019. TheRVEEH has begun working with otherhospitals with long cataract waiting lists,including the Mater Hospital, to takesome of their patients onto its lists forsurgery.

It was emphasised during thediscussions that now the theatres areworking efficiently and have additionalcapacity, the need for the implementation ofthe recommendations of the HSE PrimaryCare Eye Services Report where cataractpatients can be preoperatively assessed inthe community and are then ready to bedirectly referred to the dedicated units forsurgery, is a priority next step.

Speaking to the Medical Independent,Billy Power acknowledged that there wasa significant need for at least one othersuch theatre in the South of the country,where patients remain waiting over twoyears, and frequently longer, for cataractsurgery.

In his interview, Billy also highlightedthat is is a priority for the ClinicalProgramme in Ophthalmology to tackleinitial outpatient appointment waitingtimes, saying it was completely unfair thatpatients diagnosed with cataracts by theirGP have to wait long times for an initialoutpatient appointment for diagnosis bya consultant and then be put on a surgicalcataract waiting list while their visiondeteriorates. The Clinical Programme isworking with the HSE and NTPF todevelop a plan so that these patients willgo directly to cataract assessment clinicsand onto surgical lists, thereby reducingtheir overall waiting times.

The role of the integrated eye careteam in the delivery pathway wasdiscussed during the session and the needfor a priority on the placement of initialeye care teams in the Dublin CHO 6, 7and 9 as per the actions contained in theDepartment of Health Scheduled Care

Access Plan 2019 published earlier thisyear. These plans mirror the recommend -ations contained in the HSE Primary CareEye Services Report, and approved by theMinister for Health, for the role out of anintegrated eye care model between thecommunity and acute setting andenvisaged under Slaintecare policy. TheClinical Programme in Ophthalmology isworking closely with the Department ofHealth and Slaintecare office to get thefirst initial teams in place at the existingDublin CHO facilities (Grangegorman,Tallaght and Church town) and to ensurethis sustainable pathway of eye caredelivery can be replicated at regional levelnationally.

Mr Paul Chell highlighted the import -ance of risk management strategies in thesuccess of lean services, having protocolsand systems firmly embedded, clear linesof responsibility, no inter ruptions of thesurgeons, and tips like “triple-checking ofintraocular lenses and no lens decisionson the day, so all of these things create ahigh-volume, very, very low-complicationrate system that is low risk”. Heemphasised the need for strong workingrelationships within the multidisciplinaryteam to ensure optimal outcomes.


Pictured at the ICO Annual Conference 2019 'Lean Thinking in Cataract Delivery - an Integrated Care Model'Symposium were keynote speakers Paul Mullaney, University Hospital Sligo, Barry Quill, Royal Victoria Eyeand Ear Hospital, Mr Paul Barrington Chell, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Worcester Royal Hospital, UKwith session chair Billy Power. The session examined models in place in Ireland and the UK, and discussed theefficiencies associated with dedicated cataract units, and the creation of novel patient pathways to increase bothefficiency and the patient experience.

Lean Thinking in Cataract Delivery

Asymposium on “Lean Thinking in Cataract Delivery – an Integrated Care Model” at the ICO Annual Conference focusedon dedicated cataract unit models in operation in Ireland and in the UK, and learnings with regards to efficiencies and

patient throughput, as well as the ongoing challenge in dealing with the growing number of patients.

Discussion surrounding the role of themicrobiome in protecting and regulatingour immune, cerebral and digestivesystem, and the health benefits of goodnutrition for patients was the focus of thetalks.

Dr Ratnayaka presented an overview ofhis lab investigation into the molecularmechanisms underlying degenerativepathologies in the senescent retina andbrain leading to conditions such as AMD,retinal dystrophies and Alzheimer’s disease.His talk entitled “Cellular consequences ofan unhealthy diet- trafficking defects in theRetinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE)”discussed whether some of these disease-causing pathways could bring aboutpathogenic alterations in cells of the retinalpigment epithelium (RPE). The study,published in Molecular Nutrition & FoodResearch focuses on the RPE proteindegradation pathway, the impairment ofwhich is associated with accumulation oflipofuscin and other toxic material insideRPE cells. Dr Ratnayaka discussed howthese novel discoveries reveal that diseaseprocesses triggered by high fat/cholesterol-

enriched foods (“Western-style” diet) cancause small but important changes in RPEcells which could contribute to sight-lossin later life. The researchers found healthyRPE cells had considerable degree offlexibility to cope with changingconditions in the ageing eye, whereas ahigh fat diet can disrupt the breakdownprocess, causing long-term damage andsubsequent sight loss.

The effects of poor nutrition in eyehealth has been studied in large popula -tions before but how this actually bringsabout disease-causing changes in retinalcells is less understood. The results of DrRatnayaka’s study show how the wastedisposal system of the RPE becomesdamaged by unhealthy diet-driven diseasepathways.

The next phase of the study is to findout whether this type of damage can bereversed through better nutrition and ifstressed or damaged RPE cells canpossibly be rescued. The potential for newtherapies developed along these linescould offer new treatments for some AMDpatients.

This research includes a new mousemodel of dry AMD which was recentlydescribed in Nature Scientific Reports. Thelasered mouse model of retinaldegeneration displays progressive outerretinal pathology providing insights intoearly geographic atrophy. We look forwardto future updates from Dr Ratnayaka’s labon the continued research findings.

Dr Sinéad Corr’s talk “Exploring theMicrobiome in Health and Disease”focused largely on her team’s research atthe Moyne Institute of PreventativeMedicine, TCD on the role of themicrobiome and relationship with ourhealth. The microbiome is becoming anincreasingly important area of research.However, Dr Corr explained that despitethe extensive research efforts, how themicrobiota impacts development ofdisease is not completely understood,although it is clear that a two-waycommunication exists between themicrobiota and the immune system.Understanding this cross talk will enablethe development of novel therapeuticstrategies to promote health and reducedisease.

Much of Dr Corr’s talk focused on herteam’s recent research on identifying anovel regulator of the gut microbiome,mir21, which when its expression is lost,leads to a protective effect againstintestinal inflammation, specifically byaltering the microbiome towards ahealthier profile, enhancing the presenceof beneficial members. Dr Corr saidunderstanding how the host and it'smicrobial inhabitants interact is importantto allow researchers to target themicrobiome in disease settings.

Miss Monique Hope-Ross alsodiscussed how a healthy gut microbiomewith diverse species is critical for healthand wellbeing and conversely, a lessdiverse microbiome is associated withnon-communicable diseases. Sheexplained that the microbiome is alteredby many factors, one of which is nutrition,with the typical modern Western dietlacking in diversity, with inadequate plantand fibre consumption for our needs.

A junk-food diet, largely based onprocessed carbohydrates and little, if anyfibre, is highly associated with thedevelopment of obesity and non-communicable diseases while a diet highin vegetables with less processed food andmeat is associated with better long-termhealth outcomes. Monique said changingto a low-carbohydrate diet, for example,has been shown to induce remission inmany people suffering from diabetes.


Nutrition and AMD Symposium –ICO Annual Conference 2019

The Nutrition and Age-related Macular Degeneration symposium welcomedkeynote speakers Dr Arjuna Ratnayaka, Lecturer in Vision Sciences at the

University of Southamptom, Miss Monique Hope-Ross, Honorary ClinicalLecturer, Birmingham University and former Honorary Consultant Surgeon at theBirmingham and Midland Eye Centre and Good Hope Hospital (retired) and DrSinéad Corr, Assistant Professor in Microbiology, The Moyne Institute ofPreventative Medicine, Trinity College Dublin. Mark Cahill and Fiona Harneyco-chaired the session.

Pictured at the Nutrition and Age-related Macular Degeneration Symposium at the ICO Annual Conference were(l-r); co-chairs Mark Cahill and Fiona Harney with Miss Monique Hope Ross, Honorary Clinical Lecturer,Birmingham University and Honorary Consultant Surgeon at the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre andGood Hope Hospital (retired), Alison Blake, Dr Arjuna Ratnayaka, Lecturer in Vision Sciences, University ofSouthampton, and Dr Sinéad Corr, Assistant Professor in Microbiology, The Moyne Institute of PreventativeMedicine, Trinity College Dublin.


Orbis Ireland has received a three-year grant from the Irish Aid Civil

Society Fund to fund a comprehensiveeye care project in the Gama Gofaregion of southern Ethiopia. Theannouncement for the Orbis IrelandIrish Aid grant was made in May 2019.

Irish Aid has a long history ofsupporting Irish civil society organisa -tions working in the developing world.The Civil Society Fund is Irish Aid’s mainproject funding scheme.

The Orbis project funded by Irish Aidis focused on the leading causes ofblindness and visual impairment inEthiopia – trachoma, cataract and refractiveerror. Over the next three years, the grantwill assist Orbis to train eye care healthprofessionals and establish vital eye healthservices across 28 districts in southernEthiopia (population 3.4 million).

Since 2007, Irish Aid has supportedOrbis and their plight to rid the GamaGofa region of Ethiopia of avoidable,blinding diseases like trachoma, cataractand refractive error. With the support ofIrish Aid, and alongside donations fromIrish people and companies, Orbis hasimplemented the World Health Organis -ation’s SAFE strategy (Surgery fortrachomatous trichiasis (inturned eye -lashes), Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness andEnvironmental improvement) and has

enhanced local government’s capacity tomanage treatment of eye diseases throughintensive training and capacity-buildinginitiatives, health systems strengtheningand community engage ment.

Director of Orbis Ireland and ICOmember, Donal Brosnahan said,

“Since the establishment of OrbisIreland in 2007, Irish Aid has supportedour goal to eliminate blinding trachomain the Gama Gofa region of Ethiopia.

Prior to Orbis’ intervention, trachoma wasendemic in this region of Ethiopia. Thisfunding which will enable our continuedfocus on significantly reducing theprevalence of sight loss in this populationthrough treatment and training of eyehealth care professionals in the region, todevelop a sustainable model of care intheir communities”.

In just over a decade, Orbissignificantly reduced the prevalence ofblinding trachoma. An external evalua -tion in 2016 and follow-up trachomaimpact surveys in 2018, found that theproject was successful in achieving its

targets of reducing the prevalence ofTrachoma infection to the World HealthOrganisation elimination threshold in 14of the 18-original intervention districts.

The evaluation concluded that it washighly likely that the combined achieve -ments of the project have contributed towider health and well-being impacts andpositive economic benefits.

In 2017, due to the success of theongoing project, the scope of the originalproject was broadened to include cataractservices and refractive error screening.The inclusion of these services will ensurethat the three main causes of preventableblindness and visual impairment arebeing addressed, maximising impact.

In 2018, a geographical expansioncommenced into a new region of southernEthiopia.

Alongside the Irish Aid grant, OrbisIreland raise the remainder of the requiredfunds for the success of this projectthrough individuals and companies fromacross Ireland and an array of initiativesand events, such as the Great EthiopianRun.

Orbis and Irish Aid GrantTrachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. OrbisIreland was established with the single aim of eliminating blindnesssecondary to trachoma infection in the Gama Gofa region of southernEthiopia.

Prevalence of trachoma infection in children aged 1-9 years in Gama Gofa Region (Sept 2018)

Director of Orbis Ireland, Donal Brosnahan, examining a patient in Addis Abada, Ethiopia

In 2016 the Royal College ofOphthalmologists in the UK granted sub-specialty status to Emergency Ophthalm -ology for the first time. Miss SeemaVerma’s talk covered the journey to get tothat point of recognition and the aims ofthe BEECS of which she presides over.

Miss Verma was appointed aconsultant at Moorfields Eye Hospital andbecame the first ophthalmologist in theUK to lead an ophthalmic A&Edepartment. For 15 years she was theirService Director for A&E and GeneralOphthalmology and developed the role ofthe Nurse Practitioner and the extendedrole of the optometrist in delivering acutecare in the A&E department. In 2017 sheestablished the optometry deliveredUrgent Care Centre at Moorfields.

Seema co-founded BEECS in October2013 and strove to establish emergencyophthalmology as a sub-specialty in itsown right. In March 2016 the RoyalCollege of Ophthalmologists granted sub-specialty status to Emergency Ophthalm -ology. Seema continues to championacute ophthalmology as a sub-specialty byteaching and organising coursesnationally and internationally and is amember of the Scientific Committee atthe Royal College of Ophthalmologists.

Rizwana Khan gave an overview oforbital and oculoplastic emergenciespresenting at the Royal Victoria Eye andEar Hospital, where the accident andemergency department manages betweentwelve to fourteen thousand emergenciesper year.

Ms Khan highlighted that the majorityof orbital and oculoplastic emergenciespresentations, especially trauma andspace occupying lesions like tumours,require urgent surgical intervention andcan take several hours of operating time.She discussed the importance ofanatomical accuracy in surgical repair,advising suturing eyelids carefully layer-by-layer, showing a number of examplesof excellent outcomes in patients whopresented with eyelid tears and trauma.

Most of the orbital and some of theeyelid pathologies are dealt within amulti-disciplinary manner in conjunction

with other specialties including radiology,oncology, neurosurgery, rheumatology,endocrine and dermatology, aiding themanagement of these complex cases.

Ms Khan discussed image guidednavigation system, the latest technologyto aid orbital surgery and difficult toaccess space behind the eyeball which hasbeen used for improving surgicaloutcomes in Neurosurgery and ENT baseof skull surgery. The system uses scanstaken before the operation and allow thesurgeon to identify important structure inreal-time with the help of trackinginstruments, a bit like google maps, DrKhan explained.

The College extend our sincere thanks toour international colleagues who presentedat this years’ meeting, and our appreciationto all guest speakers for their invaluableparticipation in what resulted in a highlyeducational meeting in Galway.


Ocular Emergencies and Trauma Symposium

Key note speakers at the Ocular Emergencies and Trauma Symposium at the ICO Annual Conference RizwanaKhan, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon and Consultant-in-Charge, A&E, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospitaland Miss Seema Verma, President of the British Emergency Eye Care Association (BEECA) and ConsultantOphthalmic Surgeon, Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital, London pictured with session chair, Gerry Fahy.

The ICO were delighted to welcome Miss Seema Verma, President of British Emergency Eye Care Society (BEECS)and Consultant at Guys and St Thomas' Hospital as a keynote speaker at the Ocular Emergencies and Trauma

Symposium, alongside Rizwana Khan, Consultant Ophthalmic Orbital, Oculoplastic Surgeon and Consultant in-chargeAccident and Emergency Department, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital. The session was chaired by Gerry Fahy.

Upcoming…

11th Annual AdareRetinal MeetingThursday, 26th September, The Dunraven Arms Hotel

AMD Awareness Week9th - 15th September

UKISCRS Meeting and Mr PeterBarry Memorial Lecture28th November, Education andConference Centre, RVEEH

ICO Winter Meeting, RAMI Meeting and Montgomery Lecture 2019Friday, 29th November 2019

SAVE THEDATE


Micheál O’Rourke said he is delightedto be a recipient of this educationalbursary. Having completed his ophthalm -ology training scheme in Ireland, he hascommenced a year-long fellowship inoculoplastics and orbit at the ManchesterRoyal Eye Hospital. This large teachinghospital has five oculoplastic consultantsand a specialist oculoplastic on call servicefor emergencies. The unit allows completeexposure to all parts of the subspecialityincluding reconstructions, endoscopic andexternal DCR, orbital surgery andpaediatric oculoplstics as well as multi -disciplinary team management withmaxillo-facial surgery, ENT and neuro -surgery.

Dr O'Rourke said the grant will assisthim with attendance at internationalconferences and courses to build up linksbetween Irish ophthalmology andInternational experts in the field.

Pathma Ramasamy is undertaking aVitreo Retinal Fellowship in Bristol EyeHospital. The fellowship is in a tertiaryreferral centre and provides advanced sub-specialty training in the surgicalmanagement of vitreoretinal disorders.

Speaking about his training experienceto date and the impact of the Clinical

Fellowship opportunity, Dr Ramasamy toldthe ICO:

“Since my first ophthalmology post, Ihave always been fascinated with thechallenging nature and complexity ofvitreoretinal surgery. I also find the acuteaspect of this specialty exciting andfulfilling. As it almost exclusively entailsthe prospect of irreversible visual losswithout surgical intervention, I have founda tremendous amount of satisfaction inplaying a role in restoring patients’ sight byperforming complex surgery.

“The fellowship in Bristol Eye Hospitalis renowned for the exceptional quality ofsurgical training provided to thosepursuing a career in vitreoretinal surgery.The VR service here provides care for 1.5million patients, in addition to providingon call and tertiary referral service forcomplex vitreoretinal disorders for theSouthwest of England and South Wales.Around 1500 VR surgeries are performedeach year, of which approx imately 500 areemergencies. The training and highvolume of surgery here has enabled me todo most emergency cases independentlywithin a few weeks of starting myfellowship. I’m now seeing these patients afew months following their surgery and to

know that I’ve been able to make adifference and help save their sight isimmensely rewarding.”

Dr Ramasamy added, “I am verygrateful to both Bayer and the Irish Collegeof Ophthalmologists for the fundingprovided, which has enabled me to accessthis incredible training opportunity. Withthe advanced training this fellowshipoffers, I hope to bring back the knowledge,skills and expertise gained to benefit theIrish healthcare service.”

The ICO thank Bayer for their supportin facilitating the winning ICO trainees toundertake an exceptional trainingopportunity in their chosen centres ofexcellence in the field of ophthalmology.The College acknowledge the tremendousbenefit this will have to their trainingexperience and in turn the Irish healthservice.

ICO/Bayer Clinical OphthalmologyFellowship 2019 Recipients

Pictured at the official announcement of the ICO/Bayer Clinical Fellowship in Ophthalmology 2019 are jointwinners, Pathma Ramasamy (2nd left) and Micheal O Rourke (centre) with Alison Blake and Katy Carroll (left)and Neil O'Connor, Bayer Ireland Ltd.

Dr Pathma Ramasamy and Dr Micheál O Rourke were officially announced asthe joint winners of the ICO/Bayer Clinical Fellowship in Ophthalmology

2019 at the ICO Annual Conference in Galway.

Patricia Quinlan’s tenure as thePresident of Irish College of

Ophthalmologists came into effect at theAnnual Conference in Galway. AlisonBlake handed over the presidency at theAGM on Friday 17 May following hertwo year term. During her inauguraladdress to ICO members as President,Patricia thanked Alison for her out -standing commitment and dedication tothe role carried out during her term.

The Honorary Officers of the Collegeand Council members wish to sincerelythank Alison for her wonderful work andher commitment in particular to the highprofiling of the College throughout thecommemorative programme of events tomark the Society’s 100 Year Anniversaryin 2018.

ICO PresidentialHandover


ICO Dinner, Annual Confer

Eoin Silke, Emily Hughe; and Eamon Nugent, OrthoptistAlison Greene, Aoife Smyth and Caoimhe Normile

Geraldine Comer, Malcolm Green, Ann McCarthy, Catherine McCrann and Dharm Pandeya

Barry Quill, Caroline Baily, Nikola Brummel-Murphy and Micheál O’RourkeMuhammad Omar Ashraf, John Doris and Darren McAteer

Alison Blake and Patricia Quinlan

rence – Galway Bay Hotel 2019


Ruth Ellard and Glynis Hanrahan

Stephen Farrell, Patricia Logan and Dharm PandeyaDenise Curtin, Alison Blake and Marie Hickey Dwyer

Siobhán Kelly, Aziz Rehman, Loretta Nolan and Joanne Kearney

Robert Brady and Reinold GoetzProf Nicholas Jones and Mary Jones; Prof Christopher Lloyd and Fiona Lloyd; Donal Brosnahan


GDPR and Practice Privacy Statement Guidelines

Following an informative and practical presentation to delegates at the ICO Annual Conferenceby Ms Nicola Bayly, Data Protection Commission Office on GPDR, the ICO is pleased to share

the following guidelines for information purposes furnished by the Commission. The Commissionhas advised that, as is always the case with referencing guidelines or templates, practitionersshould exercise caution in using them and ensure that the end product is truly reflective of theirpractices. HSE members and Hospital Group members should discuss further with their localGDPR expert for guidance, as per HSE guidelines.

The guideline documents and a sample Practice Privacy Statement are available for membersto download through the ICO members portal using your login. Should members have any specificdata protection related queries, we have been advised that the best avenue to channel these queriesis via the Contact Us page on the Data Protection Commission website (www.dataprotection.ie).

Privacy Statement guidelines:Pursuant to Article 13 of the GDPR,practices are required to provide patientswith certain information in relation tohow they collect and use their personaldata. Article 13 places emphasis on theimportance of data protection informationbeing easily accessible to patients. Thecommunication of this information isoften done by way of a written PrivacyStatement (also referred to as PrivacyNotice or Privacy Policy). Theinformation contained within suchnotices should be concise and written inclear, straightforward language.

Practices may choose various methodsto display this information, includingposters in waiting rooms, leaflets atreception, information sheets attached toregistration forms and letters to patients.Where applicable, Privacy Statementscould also be publicised on your practice’swebsite, with links to the website madeavailable to patients via waiting roomposters, registration forms and letters.

Practice Privacy StatementIntroduction

The Privacy Statement should startwith an introduction explaining that thepractice takes its data protectionobligations seriously under the GDPR andthe Data Protection Act 2018. Theintroduction should also detail whatinformation the reader will learn fromreading it i.e. an outline of the practice’spolicies on dealing with the patient’spersonal data and the patient’s rights inrelation to their personal data. This sectionshould acknowledge that as a healthpractitioner, very sensitive personal data(referred to as special category data in theGDPR) shall be collected by the practiceand that this Privacy Statement is intendedto explain to the patient his /her rights inrelation to it.

The following points are important toinclude:

• The practice name, address and phonenumber should be clearly identified;

• Contact details of the data protectionofficer (if applicable);

• A description of the categories ofpersonal data that the practice collectsfrom patients (e.g. name, address,phone number; credit card details).Explain the purpose of collecting andstoring each category of information(e.g. to provide health services /medical diagnosis to the patient) andoutline your legal basis for so doing(e.g. using the information is necessaryfor the performance of a contractbetween you). Explain that thepersonal data collected is likely toinclude special category data such asmedical history, and detail any otherpersonal data relating to health whichmay be collected);

• An explanation of how the personaldata is collected, for example “wecollect and process data when you arereferred to this practice in the form ofa referral letter, attend appointment inthe form of a patient registration formor details we will input into youronline file etc”.

• Outline who else the personal data areshared with (e.g. the HSE or otherconsultants if required). Explain youwill only do so insofar as it is necessaryand relevant to conduct medicaldiagnosis and that the patient will beconsulted in this regard before thepersonal data is shared with a thirdparty. The patient should be advisedthat these other professionals arelegally bound to treat their informationwith the same duty of care andconfidentiality that the initialpractitioner does. Explain that work

related Medical Certificates will onlyprovide a confirmation that a patient isunfit for work with an indication ofwhen s/he will be fit to resume.However, inform the patients thatDepartment of Social Protectionsickness certificates for work mustinclude the medical reason s/he is unfitfor work. Disclosures to insurancecompanies or requests made bysolicitors for patient’s records shouldonly be released with signed consent.Outline that in some instances the lawprovides that personal information canbe disclosed, e.g. in the case ofinfectious disease;

• If the practice wishes to use patientinformation for research & auditpurposes explain it will be done in ananonymised manner with all thepersonal identifying informationremoved. If it is proposed that apatient’s information would be used forthis purpose and it is not anonymised,explain that the practice will seekwritten explicit consent;

• Explain how the practice stores thepersonal data and measures taken toensure it is securely held. Details oflocation and description of securityprecautions should be provided;

• Explain how long the practice keepsthe personal data, if this is not possibleto quantify specifically outline thecriteria that is used to determine howlong personal data is kept; i.e. for solong as the data subject is a patient ofthe practice plus three years (currentlythe time period for bringing a claim formedical negligence in Ireland is twoyears from the date of knowledge of theinjury.). Practices may choose toincrease its retention period on patientfiles depending on their assessment ofrisk as the “date of knowledge ofinjury” is not capable of being defined;

Nicola Bayly


• If the practice stores or otherwise sendsthe personal data outside the EEA (e.g.via cloud service provider) then youmust inform the patients of this andinform them of what provision underChapter V of the GDPR legitimises thetransfer;

• Outline the various rights of thepatients in respect of their personaldata, i.e:

– Right of accessSubject to certain exceptionsallowable under the GDPR, patientshave the right of access to all thepersonal information held aboutthem by the practice. If they wish tosee their records, in most cases thequickest way is to discuss this withthe practitioner who will review theinformation in the record withthem. They can make a formal datasubject access request to the practiceand receive a copy of their medicalrecords. These should be providedto patient within one month,without cost however a reasonablefee can be charged when there is asignificant administrative burden;

– Right of data portabilityIf a patient decides at any time andfor whatever reason to transfer toanother practice, if requested, thepractice should provide a copy oftheir records on receipt of a signed

consent from the new practitioner.For legal reasons the originalpractice will also retain a copy of therecords in for an appropriate periodof time.

– Other RightsThe right to rectification: the patienthas the right to request that thepractice correct any informations/he believes is inaccurate. S/he alsohas the right to request the practiceto complete the information s/hebelieves is incomplete.

The right to erasure: the patient hasthe right to request that the practiceerase his/her personal data, undercertain conditions.

The right to restrict processing: thepatient has the right to request thatthe practice restrict the processingof his/her personal data, undercertain conditions.

The right to object to processing:the patient has the right to object tothe practice’s processing of his/herpersonal data, under certainconditions.

The right to lodge a complaint: thepatient must be informed that theycan complain to the Data ProtectionCommission if s/he is unhappy withhow his/her personal data is beinghandled.

How we useyour dataImportant information forpatients

• In order to provide health servicesto you, this practice needs tocollect and keep informationabout you and your health in yourpersonal medical record.

• Our policies are consistent withthe privacy principles of theGDPR.

• We share medical records withthose who are involved inproviding you with care andtreatment.

• In some circumstances we mayalso share medical records formedical research, for example tofind out more about why peopleget ill. In all such circumstanceswe will either anonymise yourpersonal information or ask foryour explicit consent before doingso.

• We share information when thelaw requires us to do so, forexample, to prevent infectiousdiseases from spreading or tocheck the care being provided toyou is safe.

• You have the right to be given acopy of your medical record.

• You have the right to object toyour medical records being sharedwith those who provide you withcare.

• You have the right to object toyour information being used formedical research and to planhealth services.

• For further details please reviewour Practice Privacy Statementwhich will be provided to you onyour first visit (OR visitwww.dataprotection.ie).

• You have the right to have anymistakes corrected and tocomplain to the Data ProtectionCommission.

Prof Michael Ulbig, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich and Department of Ophthalmology, Klinkumrechts der Isar, Munich (far right) is pictured with (l-r) Alison Blake, Neil O'Connor and Katy Carroll,Bayer Limited Ireland at the Irish College of Ophthalmologists Annual Conference, Galway Bay Hotel,15th-17th May. Prof Ulbig’s talk centered on the management of Neovascular Age-related Macular Degenerationutilising a treat and extend approach at the Conference.

AMD Breakfast Symposium


ICO/Novartis Eye Research Bursary Winner StudyUpdate – ICO Annual Conference 2019

Inflammation, the use of cortico -steroids and an inability to predictadverse immune responses are some ofthe features for a range of ocularconditions affecting the cornea andocular surface including dry eye disease(DED) relating to primary Sjogren’ssyndrome (pSS) and ocular graft versushost disease (GVHD) after allogenichematopoietic stem cell transplant(HSCT).

Our preliminary studies focused onpSS patients where inflammation isthought to mediate both thedevelopment of aqueous deficient DEDand extra-glandular/systemic diseasemanifesta tions. We identified panels ofnovel microRNAs (miRs) that not onlydistinguish pSS patients from healthycontrols but also reflect low or highsystemic disease activity thus demon -strating the potential of epigeneticstudies to reveal biomarkers that can aidin patient diagnosis and stratification.

As no study had previously focused onthe ocular surface, we optimised theisolation of miRs from primary humanconjunctival epithelial cells (CECs) byimpression cytology and performed a miRand mRNA screen which identified anovel miR, miR-744, whose expres sionwas significantly increased in CEC frompSS patients. This over expression resultedin significantly reduced expres sion ofPellino3 a known negative regulator oftype I IFN production. Controlled andsustained delivery of ophthalmic drugscontinues to remain a major focus in thefield of pharmaceutical drug delivery. Assuch in collaboration with Professor SallyAnn Cryan, Pharmacy department RCSI,we next formulated and characterisedsuitable non-immuno genic nano-particleto deliver miR modulating compounds toocular surface. Treatment of primaryhuman CEC with our optimisednanocarrier resulted in decreased miR-744expression and increased Pellino3expression.

Ocular GVHD affects between 25-70% of recipients, and remains a majorcause of non-relapse related morbidityand mortality. Ocular manifestations ofGVHD develop in 40-60% of patientsafter allogenic HSCT with kerato -conjunctivitis sicca, that is, dry eye,being the most common finding, presentin 90% of cases. Its main cause islymphocytic infiltration of the lacrimalglands leading to fibrosis of the acini andthe ductules, which has also beenreported for patients with Sjogren’ssyndrome, a severe presentation of DED.For HSCT patients, severe dry eyepersists after the remission of acuteGVHD and normal tear function is rarelynoted after 4 years of follow up.Treatment options are reactive andseveral complications may follow such as

punctate keratitis, corneal filaments,persistent epithelial defects, cornealkeratinization, ulceration and evenperforation in spite of adequate tearsubstitutes. Considering 25,000 HSCTare undertaken annually worldwide andthat this figure will double in the next 5years, it is critical that diagnosis anddisease management strategies areimproved.

Overall, we hypothesize that theepigenetic mechanisms that regulate theinterplay between inflammatorycytokine networks, innate immune cellsand their mediators are dysregulated inpSS and ocular GVHD patients therebycontributing to disease pathology. Wehope to identify the local immunesignature associated with these con -ditions, so as to establish biomarkers thatcould be used as diagnostic, prognosticand therapeutic targets in the future. Indoing so we also hope to correlatemultiomic dysregulation with theclinical features of both pSS and ocularGVHD, disease severity and impact onpatient’s quality of life.

Recipient of the Irish College of Ophthalmologists/Novartis Eye Research Bursary 2018-2019, Dr EmilyGreenan (2nd right), Phd and Clinical Tutor, Ophthalmology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, is picturedwith (L-R) Janice Tilley, Novartis, Alison Blake, and Fiona Flynn Smith, Medical Affairs, Novartis Ireland, atthe ICO Annual Conference in Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill. Dr Greenan presented an update on her study“Multiomic profiling of ocular inflammation in dry eye disease, and targeted therapy using novel micro-RNAbased therapeutics” at the Conference.

Dr Emily Greenan, Senior House Officer, Royal Victoria Eye and EarHospital; PhD Student and Clinical Tutor, Ophthalmology, Royal

College of Surgeons in Ireland presented an update on her study ‘Multiomicprofiling of ocular inflammation in dry eye disease, and targeted therapyusing novel micro-RNA based therapeutics’ at the ICO Annual Conferencein Galway. Below is an overview by Dr Greenan.


Scope TravelBursaryWinnerDr Fiona Kearns is pictured with Mr SteveBetts, Scope Ophthalmics Ltd and AlisonBlake at the presentation of the ScopeTravel Bursary 2019 at the ICO AnnualConference in Galway. The ICO wish tothank Scope for their continued generoussupport of this travel bursary.

Pictured at the presentation of the Barbara Knox Medal for Best Paper at the IrishCollege of Ophthalmologists Annual Conference 2019 is recipient ClareMcCloskey (2nd right), SpR University Hospital Waterford for her paper entitled"Audit of Acute Acquired Estropia in Adults with Myopia" with (l-r) MaureenHillery, Alison Blake and Patricia Quinlan.

Pictured at the presentation of the Sir William Wilde Medal for Best Poster at theIrish College of Ophthalmologists Annual Conference 2019 is recipient BrianWoods, SHO, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin with Alison Blakefor his paper entitled "A Retinal Rarity".

Dr Clare McCloskey, OphthalmologySpR at University Hospital

Waterford was awarded the BarbaraKnox Medal for Best Paper at the IrishCollege of Ophthalmologists AnnualConference 2019 for her paper entitled"Audit of Acute Acquired Estropia inAdults with Myopia". The paperdescribed the clinical characteristics ofadult-onset esotropia in association withmyopia in eight patients that recently

presented to University HospitalWaterford.

All patients underwent bilateralmedial rectus recessions with anadjustable suture following prismadaptation, and, following surgery, allpatients were symptom-free of diplopia.This is possibly an increasingpresentation ophthalmologists will seein clinic with rising rates of myopiaworldwide, as well as advancing

technologies mounting near work usage.Dr Brian Woods, SHO, Mater

Misericordiae University Hospital, wasawarded the Sir William Wilde Medalfor Best Poster at the Conference for hispaper entitled "A Retinal Rarity".Retinal metastases are exceedingly rarewith only a few case reports in theliterature and therefore represent adiagnostic challenge. The case highlightsthe importance of consideringmalignancy in a non-resolving retinallesion despite treatment. Data continuesto be limited on how to best manageretinal metastases and what rolescreening has.

ICO Medal Winners 2019


1. What is Medical Protection’s view ofthe clinical negligence law in Ireland?

Unfortunately, we are operating withina legal system in desperate need of reform.This has been recognised by thegovernment but the pace of change isslow. For example, pre-action protocollegislation to enable claims to be resolvedbefore litigation has been in place since2015 but four years on we are waiting forthe Regulations to allow the protocol tocome into effect. This is frustrating giventhe year-on-year rise in the cost ofresolving clinical negligence claims. TheState Claims Agency (SCA) paid outnearly €270m in compensation in clinicalnegligence claims in 2018, representingan increase of 7.5% from 2017. A further€39.1m was paid out for plaintiff legalcosts, some of which could have beenavoided if resolved using a pre-actionprotocol.

The current legislation does notprovide any incentive or obligation onplaintiffs’ or defendants’ solicitors toresolve a claim before being litigated.Rather, the system encourages a culturewhere resolution on the eve of a trial isthe norm. Medical Protection believesthat the people who benefit the most fromthis system are the lawyers.

2. How do we compare to other countriesin terms of the cost of compensation forpain and suffering?

The Personal Injuries Commission(PIC) reported in 2018 that compensationawarded in Ireland is between 3.3 and 5times higher than equivalent awards inEngland and Wales.

This led to a call for a downwardsrecalibration of the existing Book ofQuantum guidelines.

Mr Justice Kearns (PIC Chairman) hascriticised the slow progress of the JudicialCouncil Bill which, if passed, would allowjudges to recommend guidelines forinjury payouts. The bill has been sittingin the Seanad for more than two years.However, there have been someencouraging signs from the courts

suggesting a link needs to be madebetween compensation awarded andaffordability for society.

In 2018, Judge Twomey commented ina claim involving a Garda who sustaineda minor hand injury with no lasting harm,that awards must be proportionate whenconsidered in light of the sum awarded tothose suffering the most life-changing anddevastating injuries. The plaintiff ’slawyers had argued for up to €21,700.However, Judge Twomey concluded thatthe appropriate award should be €5,000.The award for such a minor hand injurywould have been about £600 (approx.€670) in the UK.

It seems clear that the courts can onlygo so far in ensuring access to justice atan affordable cost to society. This isultimately a matter for the State.

3. What has Medical Protectionrecommended to the Government totackle the rising cost of clinicalnegligence?

Last August, Medical Protectionprovided detailed recommendations tothe Government’s Expert Group led by aHigh Court Judge, Mr Justice CharlesMeenan. The group, set up by theGovernment, aims to review alternativeways for resolving clinical negligenceclaims.

In making its recommendations,Medical Protection has focused on eachstage of the claim process – from pre-litigation all the way through to theconclusion of trial. Our focus is oncreating a more efficient and predictablelegal process.

Here are some of our keyproposals:Pre-action protocol

Prompt resolution of a dispute hasmany advantages, not least, in helping topreserve the relationship between apatient and their doctor. Delays inresolving disputes are frustrating for bothdoctors and patients; patients may find

themselves involved in unnecessarilyprotracted court cases at a time when theyneed financial help to pay their mortgageor access care. Unfortunately, manypatients’ solicitors are unwilling to engagewith the Medical Protection legal team,preferring to raise court proceedings. Thisapproach is not in the interests of patientsor their doctors.

A pre-action protocol provides theopportunity to investigate a claim andresolve it without going to court bysetting out what information parties mustprovide to one another. Currently, wecannot force plaintiff solicitors to providethe information we need in order toresolve a claim without courtproceedings.

Specialist courtsThe creation of specialist courts with

strict timetables and judges who haveexpertise in clinical negligence could leadto useful precedents for clinicalnegligence practitioners and bringconsistency in approach, particularlyregarding awards of compensation. Thishas certainly been the case in Scotland.

Introduction of judicial guidelines Improving consistency and certainty

in awards of general damages willimprove the overall claims environment.We believe that the Book of Quantum – ageneral guideline to the level ofcompensation for personal injury lawsuit– should be calibrated downwards to alevel that reflects awards in neighbouringEuropean countries including the UK.

Ultimately, Medical Protection isadvocating for a system which would bemore predictable, fair and transparent –and this would in turn result in savingswhich would be better spent on patientcare.

4. What are claims in ophthalmology like?

Claims in ophthalmology areparticularly interesting as they are oftencomplex. These claims can lead toparticularly large awards of compensationincluding substantial payments for futurecare and loss of earnings. When vision hasbeen significantly impaired such claimscan result in payments of more than€1million.

Medical Protection Tackles the Rising Cost ofClinical Negligence

The Irish claims environment is increasingly placing a burden on the State,doctors and patients. Hilary Steele, Claims Lead for Republic of Ireland at

Medical Protection explains how the leading medical defence organisation istackling the rising cost of clinical negligence.


The Bill is focused on ensuring thatappropriate governance arrangement arebeing applied by licensed entities, whichwill include hospitals but will alsoincorporate high risk designated activitiesthat take place outside a hospital setting(provision of a safe service for patientsand the governance and accountabilitythat underpins that service delivery).HIQA will become the licensing authorityand services will need to satisfy them that

they meet minimum requirements toprovide safe care.

The ICO, through its involvementwith the Forum of the Irish PostgraduateMedical Training Bodies, is informingdecision makers at the Chief MedicalOffice and Patient Safety Office on thecontents of the Bill.

The HSE published an update on itsOpen Disclosure Policy on June 12th2019.

Open disclosure in the new policyremains voluntary, and staff can claimlegal protection for their disclosure asprovided for under the Civil Liability(Amendment) Act 2017. This means their

apology cannot be used in litigationagainst them.

This is the first revision of the policy insix years, but further changes are expectedwhen mandatory open disclosure isenacted as part of the forthcoming PatientSafety Bill.

Under the policy staff must disclose allincidents involving harm or suspectedharms to patients. Incidents where noharm results must be “generally” disclosed,while near-miss incidents will be assessedon a case-by-case basis and “generally donot require open disclosure”.

The Full policy document is availableto read on the HSE website.

Update on Patient Safety Licensing Bill andOpen Disclosure

The General Scheme of the PatientSafety (Licensing) Bill, approved

by Government in December 2017, hasbeen published.

Dr Hopkins study entitled "FundasFluorescien Angiography in HumanSubjects Displays Circadian Variation"examines the relationship between thecircadian clock, retinal inner blood-retinabarrier permeability and their possiblerole in retinal pathology.

Explaining the research during thenominated poster presentations at theGalway Conference, Dr Hopkins said,“Retinal blood-brain permeability appearsto vary depending on the time of day. Wehave shown that in healthy volunteersundergoing fundus fluorescein angio -graphy (FFA) there is a significantincrease and more prolonged fluoresceinsignal in the compared to the morning.

The study, carried out at the RoyalVictoria Eye and Ear Hospital, involved23 healthy human volunteers aged 18 to30 who underwent quantitative in themorning and evening to assess for anychanges in retinal vascular integrity.Fundal images were independentlyreviewed by a consultant ophthalmologistand Image +J analysis was used forquantification of FFA images.

The investigation showed that thefluorescein signal was more evident andmore prolonged in the evening comparedto the morning in the same subject and inall macular regions analysed (P < 0.001).

Dr Hopkins added, “An inner retina

derived supply of systemically derivedcomponents to the photoreceptor outersegments and RPE has not been describedpreviously and may represent a criticallyimportant physiological process central tothe development of a range ofretinopathies including age-relatedmacular degeneration (AMD).”

The new research paper medal is in

honour of Mr John Blake (1932-2011),father of outgoing ICO President AlisonBlake, for his tireless campaigning andlobbying of Government in the 1980's tohave toughened glass banned in favour oflaminate windscreens and to ensurecompulsory seat belt legislation wasproperly enforced in order to preventhorrific eye injuries as a result of carcrashes. The enforcement of thesemeasures ultimately led to the virtualelimination of perforating eye injuriesfrom road traffic accidents.

Inaugural John Blake Medal Presentation

Recipient of the inaugural John Blake Research Medal Dr Alan Hopkins, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, TrinityCollege Dublin, is presented with his medal by Conor Murphy and Alison Blake at the ICO Annual Conference2019.

Dr Alan Hopkins, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, wasawarded the inaugural John Blake Medal for the Best Scientific Laboratory

Paper at the ICO Annual Conference 2019 (15th-17th May).


As a leading national mobility andindependent living skills training

provider for people who are blind,partially blind or have impaired visionand families of children with autism,you can refer patients to ourorganisation for advice, training,advocacy support and peer support.

Our Services:• Guide Dogs

• Orientation and Mobility (Long Cane)

• Independent Living Skills

• The Next Step Programme aidingprogression onto work/college

• Child Mobility

• Assistance dogs for children withautism

Who can be a Guide DogOwner?• People who are totally or partially

blind or vision impaired.

• Aged 16 and over with no upper limit.

• Who is mobile and in reasonably goodhealth.

• Who is willing to work in apartnership with a Guide Dog.

• Seeking better social inclusion.

All services are provided free of charge.

How to make a referral:If you have a patient who would benefitfrom our services, please contact ourClient Services Administrator on T. 021 487 8200, E: [email protected] orrefer online W: www.guidedogs.ie

For further information or an informationvisit, please contact our Advocacy andPolicy Officer, Léan Kennedy.

Cara and Guide Dog Uri walking down a busy shop street in Galway. We can see lots of people, cyclists andbuskers in the background.

Paraic Ugo – Paraic sitting with his Guide Dog Ugoon a yellow bench in HQ. It is a lovely day with blueskys and greenery in the background.

Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind is welcoming patientreferrals from Ophthalmologists

In her own words:

“Having Uri means the world to me. I don’tthink I can explain how I could nearly burstwith love for him.”

– Cara Gibbons & Guide Dog Uri

In her own words:

“Getting Ugo feels like a new lease on life,a bounce back to positivity andindependence.”

– Paraic Barnes & Guide Dog Ugo

Testimonials:

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