RNIB slams cataract postcode lottery

Renewed calls have been made for a national clinical director for eye care as the RNIB hit out at a ‘postcode lottery’ for cataract surgery.

Cataract operations vary from 1,147 per 100,000 of the population in one area to 267 in another, while the majority of commissioners have arbitrary thresholds for patients, according to a report released by the vision charity this week.

Clara Eaglen, RNIB eye health campaigns manager, said: ‘Regional variation has created a postcode lottery which is simply unacceptable. NHS “efficiency savings” achieved by cutting cataract operations are a false economy as denying treatment leaves patients at risk of depression, social isolation and fall-related hip fractures which are more costly to treat.