Irish face lengthy cataract delays

Average waits for cataract surgery across Ireland has been found to be 28 months and up to five years in some parts of the country, according to a recent survey.

The nationwide survey, by the Association of Optometrists Ireland (AOI), found the longest wait for public cataract surgery was in West Cork, at 60 months.

In contrast the average wait for private cataract surgery across the country was three months.

AOI president Tríona Culliton said: ‘The findings from the AOI survey are very clear: With regard to cataract surgery, the Sligo Leitrim constituency has the shortest waiting time and is the core region where the Sligo Cataract Scheme is in operation.’