The Health Ministry is providing up to $2 million to help improve eye services that specialists say are at crisis point.
Photo: Tom Hickmore
Some district health boards have been saying that many people risk losing their sight while waiting for appointments.
Pressure on services from those needing first assessments has led to long waits for follow-up eye appointments.
The College of Ophthalmologists estimates that more than 100 people could lose their vision or go blind because of the delays.
New Zealand chairman Stephen Ng said it had been tough.
"We've been watching this crisis unfold over the last few months and it's been heartbreaking that we've seen some of the patients that we've cared for, often for many years, slip backwards in their conditions.
"Some of them lose sight, and some of that is a problem that we can't reverse any more."
The ministry said the funding would be available this financial year, and would help DHBs with issues such as consistent prioritisation for improved access, and greater use of optometrists and nurse specialists.
That was a good first step, Dr Ng said.
"With that money each DHB can have the discretion to use as they best see fit."
Eye specialists had been working hard, and hoped to clear the patient backlog by mid-next year, he said.
