Ophthalmology vs Ear Nose and Throat NHS waiting times
Ophthalmology has the shorter median wait β 9.7 weeks versus 14.1 weeks for Ear Nose and Throat, a gap of 4.4 weeks (April 2026).
Side by side (April 2026)
| Measure | Ophthalmology | Ear Nose and Throat |
|---|---|---|
| Median waitHalf of patients had waited less than this, half more | 9.7 weeks | 14.1 weeks |
| Seen within 18 weeksNHS Constitution standard is 92% | 73.1% | 58.3% |
| Patients waitingOpen (incomplete) RTT pathways in England | 612,588 | 589,187 |
| Waiting over 18 weeksPatients already past the 18-week standard | 164,861 | 245,820 |
| Waiting over 52 weeksA year or more on the list | 4,560 | 12,785 |
National figures for England β your local NHS trust may be faster or slower. Both specialties are measured on the same NHS England RTT release, so the comparison is like-for-like.
Ophthalmology
612,588 patients waiting, median 9.7 weeks, 73.1% seen within 18 weeks.
Full Ophthalmology waiting times βEar Nose and Throat
589,187 patients waiting, median 14.1 weeks, 58.3% seen within 18 weeks.
Full Ear Nose and Throat waiting times βFrequently asked questions
Is the NHS wait longer for Ophthalmology or Ear Nose and Throat?
In April 2026, Ear Nose and Throat had the longer median wait (14.1 weeks) and Ophthalmology the shorter (9.7 weeks) β a 4.4-week difference. These are national medians across all English NHS providers; your local wait can be shorter or longer.
How many people are waiting for Ophthalmology vs Ear Nose and Throat?
612,588 patients were on an incomplete Ophthalmology pathway and 589,187 on a Ear Nose and Throat pathway in England, April 2026 (NHS England Consultant-led RTT data).
What share are seen within 18 weeks?
73.1% of Ophthalmology patients and 58.3% of Ear Nose and Throat patients were seen within 18 weeks, against the 92% NHS Constitution standard. Nationally, 64.9% of all patients were seen within 18 weeks.
Can I be seen sooner privately?
Yes. A private consultation via GeraClinic is typically available within days rather than weeks, and you can stay on your NHS list at the same time. This page is for information only and is not medical advice.
Don't want to wait?
See a GeraClinic doctor privately β usually within days β while keeping your NHS referral.
Related comparisons
Contains public sector information published by NHS England and licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: NHS England β Consultant-led Referral to Treatment (RTT) Waiting Times (April 2026, published June 2026). Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. This directory is not affiliated with NHS England.
Informational/educational only β not a substitute for professional medical advice; a clinician interprets results.