Waiting times for cataract operations are to be slashed by December 2004, the government has announced.

Alan Milburn wants all patients suffering from the eye condition to be treated in under three months by the end of next year.

Announcing the £56 million plan to cut waiting lists, the health secretary said: "Too many older people are still waiting too long for treatment. This new drive will improve the quality of life for thousands of NHS patients."

Department of Health officials are set to target vision impairment as a means to return independence to otherwise healthy individuals who currently place large demands on social support networks.

One in four people is likely to have developed a cataract by the age of 75. Of these, 50,000 remain untreated for over three months.

The new scheme comes into effect in August with £52 million allocated to Primary Care Trusts to carry out extra operations, with a further £4 million targeted at patients suffering from chronic eye disease and low vision.

Milburn claims this extra funding should see 30,000 extra operations a year performed and waiting times reduced to an average of six weeks.

"Across the board waiting times are coming down in the NHS. The hard work and commitment of NHS staff is helping deliver faster, better services for patients," he said.

"We can now combine the extra resources and reforms we are putting into the NHS to drive down waiting times for cataract operations."

And the health secretary stressed that private sector resources and expertise would have a part to play.

"Giving patients a greater choice over where they are treated and using both NHS and private sector surgery centres will help unlock shorter waiting times," he said.

Leading charities welcomed the government's decision to target cataract waiting times.

Help the Aged's head of policy, Tessa Harding, said: "We warmly welcome the increase in funds for cataract operations and other eye conditions.

"Good vision is one of the elements that enable older people to lead full and active lives. Investment in helping older people stay healthy makes thoroughly good sense."

A RNIB spokesman welcomed the extra funding for addressing cataract problems.

"We are also pleased that the government has decided to support and improve service provision for people with sight problems and low vision," she said.