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 has reduced the longest ophthalmology waits but is not yet meeting planned-care recovery targets. Performance against the ‘eye care measure’ is poor which increases the risk of avoidable harm.