Ophthalmologist
Cataract surgery is performed on a priority basis as well as a “first in first out basis”
The BC Health Authority has established the following criteria for prioritizing surgeries once your consent package has been received. (Ophthalmology: Adult 17 years and above on the date of decision. BC List of Patient Condition and Diagnosis Descriptions July 23, 2015)
Estimated wait times:
“Patients who wait more than 6 months for cataract surgery may experience negative outcomes during the wait period, including vision loss, a reduced quality of life and an increased rate of falls. (Hodge, 2007, AAO PPP Cataract/Anterior Segment, Cataract in the Adult Eye October 2016)”
However, please note that there is NO GUARANTEE to the government guidelines mentioned above, as there are many different factors and variables that are subject to change wait times. If a patient’s condition deteriorates, he/she can be advanced on the specialist wait list. This is appropriate and a “necessary medical practice in place throughout the system.” Waiting times will vary widely. We, as a team, are tying to maintain our own waiting list without over-sight deciding independently who needs a procedure. Unfortunately more operating time is not necessarily allocated to those specialists with the longest wait list.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of Dr. David Butler. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of manufacturers or other doctors. Revised February 22, 2021.