'Unacceptable delays': Significant increase in eye care waiting lists across Ireland Reporter: '); '); Eye care waiting lists have increased significantly to more than 53,400 at the end of 2020, as optometrists have called for a greater role in public eye care. National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) figures to December 2020 show that almost 45,500 people were on the outpatient eye care waiting list, accelerating an upwards trend from 41,200 at the end of 2019 and 40,600 at the end of 2018. Almost 23,700 were waiting more than a year and almost 15,500 more than 18 months, significantly up from 17,300 and 12,000 respectively at the end of 2019. Furthermore, more than 7,900 people were awaiting inpatient eye procedures, up from 7,700 at the end of 2019.