The impact of allocation of additional resources on the waiting time for cataract surgery

In 2001, the ophthalmology community in Manitoba lobbied the regional health authority to allocate additional resources for cataract surgery because of unacceptably long waits. Approval was given in principle for a partial increase in resources and this was implemented in March 2002. Cataract surgery in the region is monitored by a waiting list program that is used to track and prioritize all patients waiting. This monitored increase in funding provided an opportunity to measure exactly what impact additional resources would have on a cataract waiting list.