Wait Times for Cataract Surgery (Percentage Meeting Benchmark)
The greater the percentage meeting the benchmark, the greater the proportion of patients in that province who received treatment within the benchmark (112 days).
This indicator is calculated based on provincial and national wait time data for the first two quarters of the fiscal year (April–September), and includes all procedures that are publicly funded under the provincial health plan.
Percentage within benchmark is calculated by dividing the number of cases who received care within benchmark by all cases, multiplied by 100.
Unit of Analysis: Episode of care
Calculation of all-Canada estimates:
All-Canada Percentage Meeting Benchmark
The national percentage meeting benchmark estimate was calculated as follows:
National percentage meeting benchmark = Total patients meeting benchmark for each province ÷ Total procedures performed × 100.
Number of adults who received a cataract surgery
Number of adults who received a cataract surgery within 112 days (16 weeks)
Methodology
Name
Wait Times for Cataract Surgery (Percentage Meeting Benchmark)
Short/Other Names
Not applicable
Description
Percentage of patients within a province who received cataract surgery within 16 weeks (112 days)
Rationale
In 2004, Canada's first ministers agreed to work toward reducing wait times for five priority areas: cancer treatment, cardiac care, diagnostic imaging, joint replacement and sight restoration. CIHI was mandated to collect wait time information and monitor provincial progress in meeting benchmarks.
Many factors affect wait times, for example, availability of resources, efficiency of a particular facility, seasonal effects, volumes, patient choice, patient condition, follow-up care and/or treatment complexity.
This indicator can be used to understand access to care and to know how provinces are performing in terms of providing access to services.
Interpretation
The greater the percentage meeting the benchmark, the greater the proportion of patients in that province who received treatment within the benchmark (112 days).
HSP Framework Dimension
Health system outputs: Access to comprehensive, high-quality health services
Areas of Need
Getting Better
Targets/Benchmarks
Within 16 weeks (112 days)
Available Data Years
to (fiscal years)
Geographic Coverage
- All provinces
Reporting Level/Disaggregation
- National
- Province/Territory
Indicator Results
Update Frequency
Every year
Latest Results Update Date
Updates
Some provinces may have some exceptions and their methodology may be slightly different than the standard methodology. For details, please see the Trend tab of CIHI’s wait time visualization.
Description
This indicator is calculated based on provincial and national wait time data for the first two quarters of the fiscal year (April–September), and includes all procedures that are publicly funded under the provincial health plan.
Percentage within benchmark is calculated by dividing the number of cases who received care within benchmark by all cases, multiplied by 100.
Unit of Analysis: Episode of care
Calculation of all-Canada estimates:
All-Canada Percentage Meeting Benchmark
The national percentage meeting benchmark estimate was calculated as follows:
National percentage meeting benchmark = Total patients meeting benchmark for each province ÷ Total procedures performed × 100.
Type of Measurement
Percentage or proportion
Denominator
Description:
Number of adults who received a cataract surgery
Inclusions:
- Age 18 and older
- 1.CL.89.^^ Excision total, lens
and one of the following diagnoses:- H25.– Senile cataract
- H26.– Other cataract
- H28.– Cataract and other disorders of lens in diseases classified elsewhere (except H28.8 Other disorders of lens in diseases classified elsewhere)
- First eye only; bilateral cataract removal counts as a single wait
- All priority levels
Exclusions:
- Emergency cases
- Days when patient was unavailable
- Abandoned procedures
Numerator
Description:
Number of adults who received a cataract surgery within 112 days (16 weeks)
Inclusions:
- Age 18 and older
- 1.CL.89.^^ Excision total, lens
and one of the following diagnoses:- H25.– Senile cataract
- H26.– Other cataract
- H28.– Cataract and other disorders of lens in diseases classified elsewhere (except H28.8 Other disorders of lens in diseases classified elsewhere)
- First eye only; bilateral cataract removal counts as a single wait
- All priority levels
Exclusions:
- Emergency cases
- Days when patient was unavailable
- Abandoned procedures
Method of Adjustment
Not applicable
Adjustment Applied
None
Geographic Assignment
Place of service
Data Sources
- Provincial Wait Times Registry
- Data may come from various sources, depending on the province.
Caveats and Limitations
Some provinces may have some exceptions and their methodology may be slightly different than the standard methodology. For details, please see the Trend tab of CIHI’s wait time visualization.
Trending Issues
Since 2008, an increasing number of provinces have adapted to the standard methodology in order to increase the comparability of results. When comparing data for a particular province over time, attention should be given to the exceptions. For details, please see the Trend tab of CIHI’s wait time visualization.
References
Health Canada. A 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care. Health Canada. Updated September 16, 2004. Accessed June 7, 2013.
How to cite:
Canadian Institute for Health Information. Wait Times for Cataract Surgery (Percentage Meeting Benchmark). Accessed April 27, 2025.
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Comments
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