The Hospital Authority will review the waiting list for cataract surgery in the coming year to prioritise patients most in need and ensure they get the operation within two months.

Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow told legislators today the average waiting time for cataract surgeries in the authority's hospitals is three years. More than 54,000 people are on the waiting list, including 17,348 aged over 80 and 25,063 aged 71 to 80.

About $245 million was spent in 2008-09 on in-patient services for cataract patients, including subsidies for 2,937 patients who have enrolled for the Cataract Surgeries Programme. Launched in February 2008, the programme allows eligible patients to choose to receive surgery either in the private sector or in public hospitals through public-private partnership.

The authority provides a fixed amount subsidy to patients who choose to receive surgery in the private sector. Nearly 7,000 patients have successfully received surgery and restored their eyesight through the programme.