Eye surgery waiting times cut in Lothian

WAITING times for cataract surgery in the Lothians has been cut from a year to less than 18 weeks.

NHS Lothian has announced it is hitting new Scottish Government targets.

Cataract surgery in the Lothians is offered at the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh and St John's Hospital in Livingston.

Previously people would wait up to 52 weeks – 26 weeks from receipt of referral to an outpatient appointment, and a further 26 weeks from the decision to operate to the date of surgery.

However, now they face no more than an 18-week wait, from receipt of referral from optometrist to undergoing surgery.

The reduced waiting times have been delivered as part of the Cataract Delivery Programme, which has examined ways to improve the service offered to patients.

Dr Harry Bennett, chairman of the Cataract Delivery Programme Steering Group, said: "I am delighted that we have successfully reduced the waiting time for cataract surgery in line with Scottish Government targets.

"Our patients are now guaranteed to wait no longer than 18 weeks from initial referral to receiving surgery."