Surge in NHS-funded cataract procedures

Covid-19 caused a surge in patients having NHS-funded cataract surgery at independent sector providers (ISP), according to data published by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth).

In 2019-20, there were over 450,000 cataract procedures in England, which represented an 11% jump from three years previously, the RCOphth noted.

Data revealed that between 2016-2021, the number of NHS-funded cataract procedures increased by 21% and provision of ISP services experienced a ‘huge shift’ after the second Covid-19 wave.

NHS-funded cataract procedures delivered by ISPs rose from 34% in December 2020 to 55% in January 2021 before reaching a high of 59% in February 2021.