What Is the Waiting Time for Cataract Surgery on NHS?

NHS cataract surgery waiting times vary dramatically by hospital location, ranging from as little as 8 weeks to over 45 weeks depending on your local trust. While the NHS target is 18 weeks for non-urgent treatment, many cataract patients currently wait longer. Some hospitals report waits of 39-45 weeks, while others maintain much shorter lists with patients treated within 2 months of referral.

The official NHS target for non-urgent consultant-led treatment is 18 weeks from referral to surgery. However, cataract surgery waiting times often exceed this target due to high demand and capacity constraints.

Recent data shows significant hospital-to-hospital variation. For example, NHS Chesterfield Royal Hospital currently reports 39 weeks for ophthalmology treatment, while NHS Dorset County Hospital shows 45 weeks. Conversely, some trusts like Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust report most patients receiving treatment within 8 weeks.

Reports from 2021 showed some patients waiting over 9 months on average, with the longest documented wait being 94 weeks at one London hospital. However, these figures vary constantly based on local capacity and demand.

Your waiting time depends on several key factors beyond simple geography.

Clinical priority significantly influences timing. Patients with cataracts severely affecting both eyes or causing safety concerns may be prioritised over those with single-eye cataracts who can still function adequately.

Local hospital capacity varies dramatically. Some NHS trusts have invested in dedicated cataract surgical centres with high throughput, while others face staffing shortages or equipment limitations that extend waiting times.

Referral timing and pathway can impact your position. Peak referral periods and the specific route your referral takes through the system may affect scheduling.

You can check current waiting times for your specific area using the NHS My Planned Care website, which provides updated information for individual hospitals and trusts.

Contact the ophthalmology department at your designated hospital directly to enquire about current waiting times and your approximate position on the list. Many NHS trusts provide phone services for waiting list enquiries.

If your condition worsens significantly while waiting, contact your GP or the hospital directly, as rapid deterioration may warrant re-assessment of your priority level.

NHS cataract surgery is available when cataracts significantly impact your quality of life and daily activities. The assessment considers functional impact rather than just visual acuity measurements.

Typical eligibility includes difficulty with essential activities like driving safely, reading, or working effectively. You don't need to wait until cataracts are extremely advanced, but they must be affecting your independence or safety.

Individual circumstances matter in prioritisation. A professional driver might qualify sooner than someone who doesn't drive, while someone with demanding visual work requirements might be prioritised over those with less visually intensive lifestyles.

While waiting for NHS surgery, several strategies can help manage symptoms and maintain safety:

Vision optimisation includes updating glasses prescriptions, improving home lighting, and using magnification aids for reading tasks.

Safety measures involve avoiding night driving if vision is compromised, ensuring adequate lighting on stairs, and removing potential trip hazards at home.

Symptom monitoring is crucial - report significant changes to your GP or optometrist, as worsening symptoms may qualify you for more urgent treatment.

Private cataract surgery typically offers appointments within 1-2 weeks of consultation, compared to months of NHS waiting. The surgical quality and outcomes are comparable between NHS and private treatment.

Consider private treatment if cataracts significantly impact work, hobbies, or quality of life and you cannot afford to wait for NHS surgery. Many patients choose private treatment for timing flexibility while others prefer to wait for free NHS care.

If NHS waiting times are significantly affecting your quality of life, discuss options with your GP. They may be able to refer you to hospitals with shorter waiting lists or reassess your clinical priority.

Need to explore your treatment options? Search our platform now to compare current NHS waiting times and private providers in your area.