But while the waiting list has reduced, some people are concerned that they could find themselves almost back to square one.
Health & Social Care announced in November that it had reached an agreement with Newmedica for some patients to receive treatment in Southampton.
At that time there were 92 Guernsey residents waiting for the operation. This now stands at 55.
Since then 90 surgeries have been carried out, but with the appointment of a new permanent ophthalmologist at the Medical Specialist Group, all remaining patients will now be treated in Guernsey.
HSC said that on top of those treated, 136 outpatient appointments had been carried out by Newmedica.
Anyone who has been given a confirmed surgery date by Newmedica will still go to Southampton while the remaining 66 patients will be treated in Guernsey. That means they will need to attend an additional outpatient appointment locally before being listed for surgery.
HSC apologised to these patients, who should be contacted within the month, and thanked them for their patience.
‘We recognise there is some inconvenience for those patients who had their first consultation with Newmedica and will now have to repeat that appointment with the MSG,’ said HSC medical director Dr Peter Rabey.
‘We apologise for that and will endeavour to make this transition as smooth as possible.’
Newmedica director and Specsavers founder Doug Perkins said that while it was proud and grateful to have been able to help the community, it was disappointed that it did not have the opportunity to continue.
'Our door will always be open if we can be of further support in the future,’ he said.
MSG still has a vacant post in ophthalmology, which is being filled by a locum, but from August it will be taken on by two job-sharing consultants.
HSC said the contract outpatient waiting list for ophthalmology was 580 as of 26 February, down from 751 in November, while the inpatient waiting list has dropped from 136 to 129.
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