Eye care services are becoming more important as the UK population ages. 

An ageing population means there are more incidences of age-related eye conditions, such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma. 

Many, if caught early, can often be managed effectively with existing treatments and medicines. But delays can also result in increased risk of harm and irreversible sight loss. 

As a result of the increased risk of harm, in 2019 NHS Wales introduced the ‘Eye Care Measure’ which is an approach for prioritising and measuring waiting times based on clinical condition and risk of harm.

Ophthalmology waits also continue to be recorded and reported as part of the wider referral to treatment time metrics. 

The Health Board is reducing its longest waits, but too many eye care patients are still waiting a long time. While performance against the ‘eye-care measure’ is above average, it falls well short of the national target, increasing the risk of avoidable harm.