Eye health measures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 2024: interactive data

Median and 90th percentile waiting times for patients who completed cataract surgery: Measure 3.6.1

The median waiting time (or the number of days within which 50% of patients who completed their wait were admitted for cataract surgery) and the 90th percentile waiting time (or the number of days within which 90% of patients who completed their wait were admitted for cataract surgery).

The waiting times measures provide an indicator of access to cataract surgery for those on waiting lists managed by public hospitals (Figure 39 and Figure 40).

Latest data and time trend

In 2022–23, there were 2,244 admissions for First Nations people from public hospitals waiting lists for elective cataract surgery. The median waiting time for elective cataract surgery for First Nations people (159 days) was longer that for non-Indigenous Australians (118 days). The time waited at the 90th percentile for First Nations people who were admitted for cataract surgery was shorter than that for non‑Indigenous Australians (369 days and 381 days, respectively).

Between 2012–13 and 2022–23, the median waiting time for elective cataract surgery for First Nations people fluctuated, but overall rose from 140 days to 159 days. The median waiting time for non-Indigenous Australians also fluctuated between 2012–13 and 2021–23, but overall rose from 88 days to 118 days (Figure 39).

From 2012–13 to 2021–22, the number of days waited at the 90th percentile was greater for First Nations people than for non-Indigenous Australians. However, in 2022–23 fewer days were waited at the 90^th percentile by First Nation people than by non-Indigenous Australians (369 and 381 days, respectively) (Figure 39).

Figure 39: Waiting times for elective cataract surgery (percentile), 2012–13 to 2022–23

Notes

1. Hospitalisations with a care type of Newborn (without qualified days) and records for Hospital boarders and Posthumous organ procurement have been excluded.
2. Based on first indicator procedure waiting time for cataract extraction. Includes ACHI codes 42698-00 to 42698-05, 42702-00 to 42702-11, 42716-00, 42719-00, 42719-02, 42722-00, 42731-00, 42731-01, 42734-00, 42788-00.
3. Data presented are for patients who complete their wait and are admitted for surgery as either an elective or emergency admission.
4. Includes public hospitals only.

Source: AIHW National Hospital Morbidity Database.

By remoteness

In 2021–23, the median (50th percentile) number of days waited was longest in Inner regional areas for First Nations people and for non-Indigenous (191 and 185 days, respectively). The median number of days waited for First Nations people were shortest in Major cities (105 days) and shortest for non-Indigenous Australians in Remote areas (100 days) (Figure 40 – remoteness).

By jurisdiction

In 2021–23, median waiting times were longest for First Nations people and non‑Indigenous Australians in New South Wales (251 days and 280 days, respectively) (Figure 40 – jurisdiction). 

At the 90th percentile, waiting times were longest for First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians in New South Wales (389 days and 429 days, respectively). (Figure 40 – jurisdiction).

Figure 40: Waiting times for elective cataract surgery (percentile): interactive data