Between February and March 2026, we conducted a comprehensive survey of 210 parents and guardians of blind and vision-impaired children across the Republic of Ireland. The findings provide a critical snapshot of the current patient experience within pediatric ophthalmology services.
While we recognise the immense pressure on the public health system, the data regarding CHI ( Temple Street and Crumlin Children’s Hospital) highlights several areas of serious concern for our members, specifically:
-
Communication Gaps: A significant percentage of parents reported a lack of clarity regarding their child’s level of vision and emergency contact protocols.
-
Appointment Delays: Findings show a high frequency of appointments falling outside of consultant-recommended timeframes.
-
Impact on Families: These systemic issues are no longer just administrative hurdles; they are directly undermining parental wellbeing and compromising family life.
The survey findings quantify the anecdotal evidence gathered through our parental networks over the last decade. Persistent issues—such as infrequent appointments, poor communication, and a lack of clear care pathways—continue to place an undue burden on the families we support.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss these findings with hospital management and explore how we might work together to improve the communication and care pathways for children with vision impairment.
