Reappointment of an elected member to the Optical Registration Board:

The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, T.D., has reappointed Mr Declan Hovenden as a member of the Optical Registration Board, on the election by the registrants of the designated profession, with effect from 6th March 2023 until 10th February 2027.

Declan Hovenden

Declan is an optometrist with over 25 years’ experience in clinical practice, management and education. A graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), he practiced for many years in ophthalmology settings specialising in cataract and refractive surgery and ocular surface conditions. In 2009, Declan joined the staff of Optometry department at DIT (now TU Dublin) and is now the Head of Optometry at the university’s Faculty of Sciences and Health with overall responsibility for the academic, clinical and research activities of the Optometry discipline.

Declan is a fellow of the Association of Optometrists Ireland and a member of the European Academy of Optometry and Optics. He also sits on the Council of the Association of Optometrists Ireland, is a member of the Medical Advisory Committee of Global Vision and a member of the Editorial board of the journal of Optometric Clinical Practice. Passionate about the advancement of the science and practice of optometry, Declan’s ongoing objective is, through various roles to contribute to the development of the optometry profession in and to an improved, more integrated and patient centric system of eye care delivery for the benefit of all those in Ireland who have eye care needs.