‘Emergency ophthalmology needs formal recognition’

Ireland should formally recognise the sub-specialty of emergency ophthalmology, the Irish College of Ophthalmologists 2025 Annual Conference heard.

 Mr Felipe Dhawahir-Scala, President of the British Emergency Eye Care Society (BEECS), and Consultant Ophthalmologist and Vitreoretinal Surgeon and Director of the Acute Ophthalmic Services, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, UK, highlighted how emergency ophthalmology has long been ‘the Cinderella’ of the specialty.

This is despite its importance in vision preservation, where swift treatment for sight-threatening conditions such as retinal detachments, acute ocular trauma, and serious infections is vital.

In the UK, emergency ophthalmology has now been recognised as a sub-specialty, with the hope other countries will follow.

Speaking to the Medical Independent, Mr Dhawahir-Scala said he was hoping to collaborate with the Irish ophthalmology community to achieve a similar outcome in Ireland as the UK and, potentially, for the country to join the BEECS.

“All the other branches of ophthalmology have their sub-specialties and societies,” he said.

“But emergency ophthalmology has long been the Cinderella of any eye department, despite [that], during training, it is where the most patient contact comes. It has not had well-deserved recognition. Thankfully things are changing now, and we have moved on and evolved, and have all the technology, and it is now time for [emergency ophthalmology] to flourish.”

Mr Dhawahir-Scala said that formal recognition and having a dedicated society brings many benefits in relation to training, professionalism, standardisation of care, research, and funding for a specialty.

“That first encounter is so important, and that is why emergency ophthalmology is so relevant. We have to give it that recognition. We are the first step for any emergency eye patient that comes into hospital.”