OPTEGRA appoints leading refractive surgeon Darshak Patel

OPTEGRA appoints leading refractive surgeon Darshak Patel

The eye hospital group Optegra has appointed Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon Darshak Patel to support cataract and vision correction patients across a number of its southern hospitals.

Mr Patel, who has worked for the past four years at London Vision Clinic, has joined Optegra to provide both NHS and private cataract surgery as well as advising and treating patients on the most suitable refractive options to restore their vision and become spectacles-independent.

Having visited a number of Optegra hospitals ahead of his appointment, Mr Patel said: “I was very impressed with the premium nature of Optegra – in terms of the facilities, technology, quality of care, systems and protocols in place.  It is a very well-oiled machine.

“I feel very comfortable with the hospital’s approach, while also having the autonomy to advise on the most suitable treatments for individual patients.

“I also admired how hard-working and committed all the clinical teams were at each site I visited – standards are very high and it was impressive.”

Mr Patel will work at Optegra’s flagship Queen Anne Street hospital in the Harley Street District, as well as running clinics in Hounslow and Maidstone.

Having completed one list already he stated: “I ran an NHS list in Hounslow and it was seamless.  The process has been refined and standardised so we can treat a higher number of patients while maintaining the highest of clinical standards.”

Mr Patel selected ophthalmology towards the end of his medical training as was drawn to surgery in general, but especially the fine and intricate nature of micro-surgery, and the complexity of the eye.  He also found his rotations in this speciality very rewarding, particularly his role in restoring sight for patients.

He trained in London and then completed two years of Fellowships in corneal transplant surgery at the Western Eye Hospital and Moorfields. At London Vision Clinic he focused solely on cataract and refractive surgery as their lead lens surgeon.

Mr Patel concludes: “At Optegra I am looking forward to both the larger teams, as I enjoy spending time with different people from varying backgrounds, and I am glad to be serving NHS patients again – it is so fulfilling, to restore patients’ sight as well as quality of life following cataract surgery. It is very rewarding to see the medical outcomes and consequent satisfaction and feedback from patients.

“Optegra, with its Eye Sciences research department is at the forefront of advances in ophthalmic care, and as I am passionate and committed to self-improvement as well as embracing advances in systems or technologies, this is a great fit. I am pleased to be with a forward-thinking company and stay on the ball in terms of research and quality improvement for our patients.”