Optegra celebrates 15 years

Optegra has celebrated the 15^th anniversary of the opening of its first eye hospital in the UK and revealed plans for further expansion.

The Optegra Eye Hospital Surrey has carried out more than 50,000 procedures since opening in 2008.

In a double-celebration for the ophthalmic service provider, the Surrey eye hospital has opened a second operating theatre in a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Guildford MP, Angela Richardson.

Optegra said the hospital was investing in more technology to meet demand, particularly for NHS cataract patients in the region.

Commenting at the opening event at Optegra Eye Hospital Surrey, Richardson said: “I was interested to hear about all the support they provide both NHS and private patients in the region, and particularly the high volumes that they are able to treat, particularly now they are launching the new second theatre.”

Calling this “good news for the people of Guildford and the surrounding areas,” Richardson noted that patients would be able to access surgery more quickly, adding: “It is also good news for the Royal Surrey Hospital, as Optegra can support local cataract patients in order to free up their surgeons’ time for other ophthalmic conditions.”

Since the opening of its first hospital in 2008, Optegra has grown to 11 sites, and has gone from treating around 3000 NHS cataract patients pre-pandemic, to more than 35,000 in the past year.

Dr Peter Byloos, chief executive officer of Optegra, said: “I am so proud of every member of the Optegra team who, over the years, has made this healthcare service such a success.”

Byloos revealed plans for further clinic openings over the next year, starting with York this month.

“Our aim is to ensure timely, safe and efficient treatment for all our patients and so we recruit and train excellent, caring staff. This means we have 91% of cataract patients saying their treatment was comfortable, and 86% saying they could carry out normal activities just a few days after treatment,” he added.

Pictured, left to right: surgeon Alex Shortt, Lorand Berecki, Martina Zillwood-Hunt, MP Angela Richarson, Nin Lasham, Jamie Camp, Optegra NHS director Richard Armitage.