The amount spent by the HSE on optical care for medical card holders in Clare has dropped by over 20% this February compared to last.
The latest figures from the health body show that almost €51,500 was paid to opticians in the banner last month.
A total of 1,384 people in Clare received optical care under the medical card scheme last month.
This is a decrease of nearly 19% on the over 1,700 who received care the previous February.
Of the nearly 1,400 who were treated in Clare last month, 1,169 were adults, 174 were children and 41 were teenagers.
The total spend from the HSE this February was €51,452 – a more than 20% drop on the nearly €65,000 which was spent in the same month last year.
There are currently 13 opticians in Clare which are contracted by the HSE to take part in the General Medical Scheme (GMS.
