Updated cataract guidance released by NICE

A new cataract guideline has been published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) this month.

Investigations found that patients can wait up to 15 months before having surgery, with some not receiving treatment until they are almost blind.

In the updated guideline, NICE asks NHS trusts to consider a variety of different variables before referring a patient with a cataract for surgery.

Trusts are advised to ‘not restrict access to cataract surgery on the basis of visual acuity.’ NICE also asks trusts to take into account patients' lifestyles, requesting that trusts examine how the cataract affects their quality of life in addition to their vision.