AI bringing cataract surgery waits down, NHS says

Dora reduced wait times from 35 weeks in January 2024, to 10 weeks or less by 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) is helping reduce wait times for cataract surgeries, according to the NHS.

The automated voice system called Dora, which was developed in Oxford, is helping patients across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The NHS said the system, which phones patients to ask questions and determine who needs to be seen by a clinician, reduced wait times from 35 weeks in January 2024, to 10 weeks or less by 2025.

Aris Konstantopoulos, from University Hospital Southampton, said the AI-powered tool had received "great feedback" from patients.

Mr Konstantopoulos is a consultant ophthalmologist at the university, as well as ophthalmology clinical lead for NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight.

He said Hampshire and Isle of Wight hospitals had made "massive strides" in reducing waits for cataract surgery.

"Dora has enabled this by allowing us to develop a single point of access for referrals, reducing the burden of administrative processes and providing clear options to patients," he said.

Data from the NHS showed about 15,000 patients undergo cataract surgery in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight every year.

A patient survey carried out by the NHS from July to December in 2024 showed 92% of the 310 patients asked were "extremely satisfied" with their experience using Dora.

Mr Konstantopoulos said: "Using Dora has also allowed us to free-up time for our nursing teams to concentrate on more surgical work, while Dora makes the phone calls and completes the administration duty.

"We have had some great feedback from patients who have said that Dora is very clear and easy to understand.

"She also engages and interacts with patients and can understand what they are saying and asking."