As data is collected for cataract surgery but not for glaucoma treatment, information on the number of patients with a waiting time guarantee waiting more than 18 weeks for in-patient and day case treatment in the specialty of ophthalmology and for cataract surgery on 31 December 2005, 2006 and 2007 has been provided. The new approach to defining and measuring waiting “ referred to as new ways “ came into effect on 1 January 2008.