Optegra pilots new approach to cataract treatment

Optegra has trialled a new approach to cataract treatment for NHS patients, offering drop-free and bilateral surgery.

Optegra Eye Hospital Hampshire provided NHS patients a drop-free surgery, pre-op consultation and treatment on the same day, and bilateral surgery.

Each element of the journey has published medical research and backing, but Optegra said this is the first time all three have been combined in the UK.

Alastair Stuart, Optegra medical director and consultant ophthalmic surgeon, shared that normally, after a cataract removal procedure, patients leave with a “rather intense drop regime,” that patients can find a “hassle” or hard to administer.

“Now, due to medical advances, we are able to apply a steroid injection as part of the surgical procedure, which eliminates the need for any drops whatsoever. This is revolutionary for patients’ post-operative care,” he said.

Stuart said: “On top of this, we have provided treatment for both eyes on the same day. While we do this regularly for private patients and so have a wealth of medical evidence showing how effective this is, and how well this is received, the normal pathway for NHS patients is to have one eye treated and then return several weeks later for the second eye.”

During those interim weeks, the balance between the two eyes can be uncomfortable for patients, making them feel unsteady.

Bilateral surgery means patients leave with “excellent vision in both eyes, which immediately decreases risks of falls,” Stuart said.

The post-op checks following the procedures during the trial found that no patients experienced issues.

Following the trial at the Hampshire hospital, the independent provider is considering rolling out drop-free NHS cataract surgery across its 17 NHS hospitals and clinics.

Optegra considered what the treatment offers in terms of a patient experience and convenience.

Stuart explained: “By completing the pre-operative diagnostic tests and consultation on the same day of treatment, patients have been delighted to reduce the number of visits to the hospital – especially if they have some distance to travel and having to rely on friends or family to be available also, as the patient cannot drive themselves home.”

One of the patients who participated in the trial, Maria Walmsey, 78, from Waterlooville, shared her thoughts of the drop-free treatment, commenting: “It saves about four weeks of drops and remembering to do them. It avoids all that inconvenience, so I couldn’t be happier.”