The median waiting time for cataract surgery in Canada has shown a consistent upward trend. By 2023, the median waiting time stood at 88 days. Forecasted data suggests that this will continue to rise, reaching 91 days in 2024, 94 days in 2025, 97 days in 2026, 100 days in 2027, and 103 days in 2028. Year-on-year, this represents a 3.4% increase for each consecutive year compared to the previous, and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 3.2% over the past five years.
Future trends to watch for:
• Advancements in medical technology and efficiency improvements could potentially reduce waiting times.
• Government policy changes and increased funding for healthcare may also impact these trends.
• Demographic shifts, such as an aging population, may increase the demand for cataract surgeries, influencing waiting times.
