Head of Discipline (Optometry)

Email: declan.hovenden@TUDublin.ie

Tel: (01) 220 5708

Position

Head of Optometry, Technological University Dublin

Qualifications

Dip. Ophth. Opt., Cert. Ref. Surg., M.Sc., F.A.O.I.

Background

Declan has practised as an optometrist for over 20 years. From 1995 to 2008, he specialised in the field of refractive surgery working alongside internationally renowned ophthalmic surgeons. He was the first optometrist to be awarded the Certificate in Cataract & Refractive Surgery (Theory) by Ulster University in 2006. In 2015, Declan graduated from Trinity College Dublin with an MSc in Health Informatics. He has also completed short courses in Psychology (TCD) and in Nutrition (DIT).

Declan has a particular interest in the management of dry eye and regularly trains other qualified optometrists in specialist techniques such as punctual occlusion, lacrimal syringing.

In 2019, Declan was appointed to the Optical Registration Board of CORU, the state’s regulator of health and social care professionals.

Related Interests

Fellow of the Association of Optometrists, Ireland (AOI)

Registered with CORU (Health & Social Care Professionals Council)

Member of the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland (RAMI)

Member of the European Academy of Optometry & Optics (EAOO)

Member of the Healthcare Informatics Society of Ireland (HISI)

Member CPD Approval Committee of the Association of Optometrists, Ireland

Former member of the Education Committee of the Association of Optometrists, Ireland

Former fellowship examiner for the Association of Optometrists, Ireland (HISI)

Faculty member of the Alcon Scholarship programme

Has presented at conferences of the following bodies:

• Association of Optometrists, Ireland (AOI)
• Irish Contact Lens Society (ICLS)
• British Contact Lens Association (BCLA)
• European Academy of Optometry & Optics (EAOO)
• Healthcare Informatics Society of Ireland (HISI)
• American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS)