People who use medical contact lenses now have increased financial support, with up to €1,000 available every two years.
Galway Senator Aisling Dolan said changes to the treatment benefits program will bring huge financial benefits to many people.
“It will really make a difference for people at work and the self-employed who have to cover the cost of medical contact lenses.”
“With these changes, €1,000 will now be available every two years instead of a four-year period.”
There are more than two and a quarter million people who are eligible for some form of financial assistance under the treatment benefits program, Aisling Dolan said.
“It also covers dental care, eye tests and glasses, hearing tests, so call your local dentist and optician under the Treatment Benefit Plan to find out about a free exam.
“I know people are slowly getting back into the routine of checkups post-pandemic and lockdown and we can put it on our finger,” said Aisling Dolan, adding “These benefits make it easier for people who are working to do those check-UPS”
The Treatment Benefit Scheme is available to insured workers, the self-employed and retirees who have the required number of PRSI contributions, as well as their adult dependents.
The change to the TBS was recently announced by Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys.
Minister Humphreys said: “Contact lenses can be an expensive expense and this measure is designed to help people who need specialist lenses for medical reasons.
“This follows my introduction of a new €500 grant for the cost of a hairpiece, wig or hair replacement and the relaxation of PRSI conditions for 25-29 year olds.”
For those prescribed to wear contact lenses for medical reasons, the frequency of the need to change lenses varies depending on their particular eye condition.
Some people have to wear these lenses because they have a distortion in the shape of the pupil and the lens stops the distortion. In this case, the lens is a hard glass lens.
Sometimes medical lenses are needed because glasses cannot sufficiently correct the problem of poor eyesight.
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