Fenna Rasmussen pictured with her daughter Tatum, son Ryder and their dogs, Roxy and Nala.
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08 Apr 2026
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08 Apr 2026
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File photo of child getting an eyesight examination.
Laois people finally have a HSE eyesight clinic again, meaning the end of a long trek by patients to an Athlone eye clinic, or the eye and ear hospital in Dublin.
A new opthalmology clinic has been opened in Treo Nua community centre in Knockmay, Portlaoise.
The HSE says that phase one of its new Laois service will open from June for children, with the adults' service to follow after. Online appointments have already begun in Treo Nua.
A spokesperson confirmed details to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.
"The Ophthalmology Clinic for Laois will be based in Treo Nua, Harper's Lane, Portlaoise, with a phased implementation. The first phase will support children from Q2 2026 with the adult service to follow thereafter. The service is aligned to the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital Dublin (RVEEH) serving the catchment area of Co. Laois.
"The service will operate from 9am to 5pm one day (Wednesday) a week initially with a plan to progress a 9-5 Monday to Friday service by quarter 4, 2026. It will operate on a referral-only basis and by appointment thereafter," a spokesperson said.
Treo Nua being chosen for the clinic was described as "a real coup" by its manager Maria McCormack, in giving an update on all Treo Nua services, to the March meeting of Laois County Council.
"An opthalmology service for people in the Laois area opened on March 23. That’s a real coup for our centre,” she said.
The busy Treo Nua centre includes a family resource centre, childcare facility, HSE and Laois County Council services, a shop, meeting and training rooms for rent, and computer facilities, with plans to reopen its café.
Read next: Laois café reopening after fire caused closure four years ago
Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley is chair of the Treo Nua committee.
"The eye and ear is open now with an online service for three weeks and then it will be a ‘one to one’ in the clinic. People have contacted me to say it’s absolutely great. They had been travelling to Athlone. It’s a great benefit for the centre as well,” she noted.
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