The number of urgent cataract patients waiting more than a year for surgery has fallen from more than 3,700 in 2021 to close to zero, according to an update on Northern Ireland's regional eye-care service.
Planned cataract procedures are delivered through protected day centres at Downe Hospital, Mid Ulster Hospital and South Tyrone Hospital, reducing the risk that emergency pressures will displace scheduled operating lists.
Downe Hospital's annual activity has increased from about 860 procedures before the dedicated model was introduced to around 2,350. The centre is also expanding treatment for patients who need combined glaucoma and cataract surgery.
The 2026/27 Elective Care Framework includes £3.5 million for ophthalmology within a wider £80 million programme intended to reduce waiting times. The eye-care allocation covers additional capacity in glaucoma, corneal and vitreoretinal services as well as cataracts.
Demand is expected to continue rising as Northern Ireland's population ages. Health planners say the regional model is intended to protect high-volume planned surgery, make better use of specialist teams and give patients from every trust access to the same centres.