TU Dublin plants sycamore tree to mark enduring partnership with Topcon Healthcare
TU Dublin recently celebrated the decades-long support of Topcon Healthcare, whose philanthropic contributions have been instrumental in advancing optometry education and eye healthcare in Ireland.
TU Dublin recognised the deep generosity and support of Topcon Healthcare during a visit on Tuesday, 14th October 2025, to the Grangegorman Campus. The celebration highlighted Topcon's significant contributions to the National Optometry Centre (NOC), which is the sole institution in Ireland for training Optometry and Ophthalmic Dispensing Students.
To symbolise the strong and growing relationship between the University and its philanthropic partner, a young sycamore tree was planted adjacent to the NOC and Central Quad. The tree represents how "big things can come from planting small seedlings," and mirrors the partnership's impact on eye care.
The ceremony was attended by a visiting group from Topcon Healthcare, including Andrew Yorke, Managing Director of Topcon Great Britain and Ireland, Alan Heatley, Medical Sales Manager at Topcon Ireland, and Fergal Byron, Senior Technical Product Manager. They were welcomed by TU Dublin's Declan Hovenden, Head of Optometry, and Dr Siobhan Daly, Head of the School of Physics, Clinical and Optometric Sciences, and Arlene Fox, NOC Manager, among other key university staff.
The partnership was celebrated for its far-reaching impact on both students and patients. In a pivotal moment for Irish eye care, Topcon Healthcare made a significant donation of an OCT scanner in 2013.
Declan Hovenden highlighted the importance of this initial donation: “The ripple effect of that one donation cannot be underestimated; it changed how optometrists were educated and raised the standard and level of eye care delivered in Ireland from that moment onwards. It was truly a watershed moment. It is not an overstatement to say that one donation changed eye healthcare in Ireland irrevocably for the benefit of everyone.”
This support has continued through the donation of further state-of-the-art equipment, ensuring TU Dublin students receive a practical, high-quality, and forward-looking education by partnering closely with industry.
The provision of this cutting-edge equipment in the NOC means that graduates are ready to make an immediate, tangible impact. It allows students to gain extensive training in detecting and managing sight-threatening conditions earlier, improving patient outcomes, and crucially, helping to reduce the burden on overstretched hospital systems by appropriately managing patients in a primary care setting.
The visit by Topcon came on the same day as TU Dublin’s second Student Optical Fair, which connects students with the wider industry. TU Dublin looks forward to seeing its relationship with Topcon Healthcare continue to flourish and grow alongside the newly planted sycamore.
