A strain on sight: Waiting for NHS specialist eye care
Context
Eye care is the busiest outpatient speciality in the NHS in England, and with an ageing population, demand is set to grow further.
According to NHS statistics, of the nearly 59,000 people currently waiting for specialist eye care as of December 2024, only two thirds (66.8%) have been waiting less than the 18-week target set by Government, compared to a target of 92%.
Our research reveals strong public support for greater use of staff in high street opticians, as people bear the brunt of long waiting times for specialist eye care.
We are calling for optician services, including optometrists, to have more responsibility for managing people’s eye care and referring them on for specialist treatment to help cut waiting times. Additionally, actions such as those proposed in the Optometry First model are needed to improve communications and support for people waiting for eye care.
Download our report
Key findings in our research
- Getting referred for specialist eye care can be challenging. Our survey of those currently waiting shows that almost a quarter (22%) had to have multiple appointments before being referred.
- Many people experience long waiting times for specialist eye care. As of December 2024, only two thirds of those waiting have been waiting less than the 18-week target set by Government.
- Of those currently waiting, nearly two thirds (64%) had been waiting more than four months for care, while nearly one in four (24%) have waited over a year.
- Of those currently waiting for treatment, 70% said they have noticed some deterioration in vision, compared to 53% of those who had received eye care treatment in the last two years.
- Over half of those currently waiting said the wait had affected their ability to work (54%) and carry out daily household tasks (52%). Seven in ten (69%) said it had affected their mental health and three quarters (75%) said it affected their ability to continue with hobbies.
- Very few people had support while they waited or were kept up to date by services. Just 4% said they had been given information and advice to help with day-to-day activities like working.
- Many people are unable or unwilling to access private care to avoid waiting.
- There is strong public support for optometrists to play a more significant role in helping those needing specialist eye care.
Key recommendations
The NHS should publish ophthalmology waiting list data by condition.
- The NHS currently publishes waiting list data for all ophthalmology treatments together.
- Condition-specific data would allow increased scrutiny of waiting time progress for the most serious conditions, and ensure appropriate allocation of resources.
The Government should make greater use of optometrists to help cut waiting times and provide more treatment and aftercare closer to home.
- Optometrists in the community are highly skilled and in every locality in England.
- Respondents to our survey supported making better use of their skills, which could improve patient experience.
Improved support and communication for patients while they wait.
- Eye Care Liaison Officers, (ECLOs) provide vital support to those diagnosed with a condition that affects their sight.
- In England, the current ECLO coverage in the top 150 ophthalmic centres is 71%.
- The NHS should ensure trusts and other commissioners and funders of eye care services support the increase and sustainability of the funding of this programme alongside RNIB, with universal access as the ultimate aim.
About our research
In total, 2,568 people responded to a survey about their eye care experiences, published by Healthwatch England on its website between July and September 2024:
- 1,766 people responded to the questions about having eye tests in the last two years.
- 471 people responded to the questions about currently waiting for secondary eye care.
- 580 people answered the questions about secondary eye care in the last two years.
This report focuses on the 1,051 people who responded to the questions about waiting for secondary eye care. We use the statistics from the survey and responses to free text questions to illustrate the impact on people of waiting for eye care.
Download our report
If you need this report in a different format, please email enquiries@healthwatch.co.uk or call 030000 68 3000.
