Removing arbitrary restrictions on cataract surgery

Is cataract treatment under threat?

In 2013/14 the NHS carried out approximately 304,179 cataract operations saving the sight of hundreds of thousands of people in the UK.

Cataract surgery is one of the most cost-effective surgical procedures carried out by the NHS and we believe patients should be able to access surgery as soon they experience significant symptoms in line with new NICE cataract management guidelines.

Even with the NHS under pressure to make spending cuts, people shouldn’t have to wait for their sight to significantly deteriorate, struggling with everyday tasks, before accessing treatment. We want to ensure that nobody faces unnecessary sight loss. 

Have you been turned down for surgery? Finding everyday tasks difficult? With your help, we’ve developed a toolkit that provides practical steps to help you access first or second eye cataract surgery.

What are we calling for?

We want to ensure commissioners are aware of these guidelines and implement them to help patients’ access surgery when they need it. If you're having problems getting a referral or surgery, download our guide to accessing cataract surgery, below.

• RNIB Cataracts Toolkit v2.0.pdf (Pdf, 346.67 KB)
• RNIB Cataracts Toolkit v2.0.docx (Word, 34.82 KB)