Based on the provided data, the median waiting time for cataract surgery in Chile is forecasted to increase gradually each year, from 123 days in 2024 to 144 days by 2028. This reflects a year-on-year increase of 4.1% from 2024 to 2025, 4.7% from 2025 to 2026, 3.7% from 2026 to 2027, and 3.6% from 2027 to 2028. Analyzing the trends over the past years, the waiting time in 2023 stood at 118 days. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the last five years is projected around 4.1% annually.

Future trends to watch for:

Efforts to reduce waiting times through policy changes or increased funding for cataract surgeries.
Impact of technological advancements on surgical procedures and their potential to streamline the process.
Demographic shifts and aging population potentially increasing the demand for cataract surgeries.