OPTEGRA expands into  Netherlands

OPTEGRA expands into  Netherlands

Optegra, the leading specialist European eye hospital group, today announces the acquisition of its first ophthalmic clinic in the Netherlands.

With a strong presence already in Central Europe (Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland) and the UK, the group is now taking a 51% share in a joint venture with Quadrum Capital, to share ownership of the Iris Eye Clinic in Boxtel, near Eindhoven.

In line with Optegra’s strategy, Iris Eye Clinic offers both cataract surgery and vision correction treatments.  Quadrum Capital is well connected with optical stores throughout Holland as it also owns Lens Online, the largest Dutch supplier of online contact lenses to a vast network of optical practices.

Dr Peter Byloos, CEO of Optegra, said: “With the support of our investors, MidEuropa, we have identified this opportunity for growth and this acquisition is an exciting expansion of our European business.

“Not only will this bring Optegra to a very exciting market for public and private eye care procedures, but also the opportunity to develop relationships with a vast optometry community, through the strong connections which Iris Eye Clinic has already established.

“Optegra has gone from strength to strength in recent years and so we are in a strong opportunity to explore growth opportunities such as this one, and we look forward to working with Quadrum Capital to develop this Dutch business in the years ahead.”

Iris Eye Clinic will maintain its existing branding as it continues to provide treatment with a 50/50 split between private and insured patients.

Hedzer Wester, Investment Manager at Quadrum Capital, said: “We are incredibly excited about welcoming Optegra on board as a majority shareholder. They are renowned for their operational excellence and have proven to be a successful partner for growth in multiple geographies. We are confident that this cooperation will unlock significant synergies and will lead to a highly successful partnership.”

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 40 eye hospitals and over 60 locations across the UK, Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia.

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 brings together leading-edge research, medical expertise and state-of-the-art surgical equipment.  It performs more than 140,000 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.