Optegra marks one year of drop-free NHS cataract surgery

Optegra marks one year of drop-free NHS cataract surgery

Optegra Eye Health Care is marking one year since the launch of its drop-free cataract surgery pathway with a UK-wide audit providing further evidence of strong clinical outcomes compared to standard post-operative eye drops.

Introduced across the eye hospital group in September 2025, drop-free cataract care is an innovation which simplifies the post-operative experience for eligible cataract patients by delivering steroid and anti-bacterial medication during surgery, which means patients no longer need to administer over 200 drops over the four weeks post-surgery.

Reducing the daily burden of eye drops after surgery is particularly convenient for patients who may struggle with dexterity, keeping up with complex medication regimes or those that need help at home.

Findings from Optegra’s latest UK-wide audit of 34,000 eyes have shown excellent comparable safety, vision and prescription outcomes between patients receiving drop-free cataract care and those following the standard post-operative drop regime.

The audit findings showed closely matched, or improved, rates of key post-operative events, including:

• Macular swelling: 3.1% drop-free vs 3.3% standard drops
• Eye inflammation: 2.4% vs 2.5%
• Raised eye pressure: 0.6% in both groups

Mr Alastair Stuart, Medical Director and ophthalmic surgeon at Optegra, said: “The findings add to the growing body of evidence supporting drop-free cataract surgery and demonstrate our commitment to ensuring innovation in cataract care is supported by robust clinical evidence.

“By combining innovation with evidence, we are ensuring advances in cataract care continue to improve the patient experience while maintaining the high clinical standards our patients and referring optometrists expect.”

For referring optometrists, the findings provide evidence that this innovative approach achieves both excellent outcomes as well as increased ease and satisfaction for thir patients.

Optegra Eye Health Care is a specialist provider of ophthalmic services. Established in 2007, with its first hospital opening in 2008, it has completed over one million eye procedures from its 74 eye hospitals across the UK, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Holland.

As well as providing private vision correction treatments – from lens replacement and laser eye surgery to implantable contact lenses – Optegra treats cataract surgery both privately and through its partnership with the NHS. Optegra also treats medical conditions such as AMD and glaucoma and has launched the first ever treatment for people with the dry form of AMD.

Optegra is owned by EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of advanced vision care products, eyewear and med-tech solutions. Backed by robust R&D investments, distinctive capabilities and a top-quality asset portfolio, the company drives innovation across eye health.

Optegra brings together leading-edge research, medical expertise and state-of-the-art surgical equipment. It performs more than 170,000 treatments annually, both private and publicly funded. Its top ophthalmic surgeons are renowned for their areas of expertise, offering excellent clinical outcomes and great patient service.