"Ophthalmology waiting time"

I was seen by a consultant fairly quickly this time who was thorough he explained that he had concerns about my eyes and put me back on steroid drops 6 times a day to be tapered Down over the course of the next 6 weeks which he would like to see new again and an appointment would be sent. Straight forward enough except my appointment arrived and is not in 6 weeks but January 2015 !! Could not believe it telephoned the department and was told that was the next available Appointment and even when I explained the consultant wanted to see me in 6 weeks there Is nothing they can do if a cancellation comes up they will be in touch, I was not the only one waiting. Still I understand now why the consultant said if I should see any more changes etc get myself to the eye casualty he must of known that I didn't have a hope in hell of being seen in 6 weeks. I have been going backwards and forwards over the past 2 years and have never had to wait this long, it is not right every appointment has been at least 3 hours long resulting in me being the last person to be seen. Could someone explain how this is acceptable and why I have to wait 8 months ?