SpaMedica launches first Scottish cataract centre to expand access to treatment

The new specialist cataracts service in East Kilbride, expanding local capacity and helping patients access cataract care sooner.

Thousands of people living with cataracts in Scotland are set to benefit from greater choice and faster access to treatment with the launch of a new private specialist cataract surgery service.

Situated in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, the new centre offers an additional route to treatment for people who may otherwise face long waiting times as demand for cataract care continues to rise.

The service is being introduced by SpaMedica, one of the UK’s leading providers of cataract surgery, as it expands into Scotland for the first time. For more than a decade, SpaMedica and the wider Veonet Group have helped reduce cataract surgery waits and improve vision-related quality of life for patients across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Expanding into Scotland marks the next step in bringing that experience to patients across the whole of the UK.

The launch comes as demand for cataract surgery continues to grow across Scotland, as the population ages. Around 19,000 people in Scotland are estimated to be wating list for cataract surgery.[i] Research estimates that, as the population ages, the number of cataract operations needed in the UK will increase by around 50% over the next 20 years.[ii]

Cataracts occur when the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy, causing vision to become blurred, dim or less clear. They are mainly age-related and are common in people over 65. Because cataracts usually develop gradually, many people adapt to worsening sight over time. Common symptoms include halos around lights, needing more light to read, and reduced brightness of colours and overall clarity of vision. Anyone experiencing changes to their vision is encouraged to book an eye test with their local optometrist, who can assess their eye health and advise on whether further treatment may be needed.

SpaMedica combines high-quality specialist care with a welcoming and caring environment, helping patients feel at ease throughout their treatment. It is an approach reflected in patient feedback, with one patient describing their experience as feeling clinical, but at the same time “like home”.

Dr Alex Silvester, Chief Medical Officer at SpaMedica, said: “Cataracts are a common part of ageing, but their impact on daily life can be significant. As vision worsens, everyday tasks such as reading, driving, recognising faces and getting around safely can become much more difficult. For many people, timely treatment can make a significant difference to their independence, confidence and quality of life.

“As Scotland’s population ages, ensuring people can access cataract treatment in a timely way will become increasingly important. Our new specialist cataracts centre will give patients in Scotland an efficient and affordable way to access high-quality cataract care sooner, helping them to improve their vision while adding much-needed capacity outside the NHS.”

The new specialist service in East Kilbride is the first step in SpaMedica’s planned expansion into Scotland, with future locations expected to be selected based on areas of patient need and demand for cataract care.

[i] Freedom of Information responses from Scotland’s health boards by Scottish Liberal Democrats show 18,956 people were waiting for NHS cataract surgery. July 2025. Available at: Cole-Hamilton presses Health Secretary over long waits for cataract surgery – Scottish Liberal Democrats

[ii] Royal College of Ophthalmologists, The Way Forward: Cataract – Options to help meet demand for the current and future care of patients with eye disease, January 2017.