London has emerged as a medical tourism leader for private eye treatments, with rising demand for procedures like laser eye surgery, retinal care, and cosmetic eyelid surgeries. Moorfields Eye Hospital, a leading specialist eye hospital in the city, performs more than 30,000 eye surgeries annually, including cataract and glaucoma procedures. This reflects not only the prevalence of eye conditions in the UK but also the growing trend toward private care in response to long NHS waiting times.
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) highlights that over 400,000 cataract surgeries are performed annually in the UK, making it one of the most common procedures, especially for patients over 65. Additionally, 1 in 9 people over the age of 60 experiences some form of sight loss, with conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) being prevalent. These figures demonstrate the significant demand for eye care services, especially for older populations.
Best Eye Hospitals in London
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists reports that approximately 60% of all NHS-funded cataract surgeries in England are now performed by the private sector, a significant increase from 30% before the pandemic.
Leading private ophthalmology providers in London, such as Spamedica, Newmedica, Optegra, and Moorfields Eye Hospital, are pivotal in addressing the rising demand for advanced eye care services. This surge in demand is driven by an aging population and a growing prevalence of eye disorders, worsened by modern lifestyle factors like increased screen time.
London has many private eye care practices and one notable addition to the market is OCL Vision (Ophthalmic Consultants of London), a private eye care group established by leading consultant eye surgeons. OCL operates from various locations in Central London, West London and Elstree, and Hertfordshire.
OCL’s eye surgeons are acclaimed for their surgical skills and patient-centred care, prioritizing evidence-based treatment with an extensive background in laser and lens vision correction surgery. The group consists of 10 eye surgeons with expertise across all forms of eye surgery including lens surgery, laser eye surgery, cataract surgery, implantable contact lens, glaucoma, cosmetic eyelid surgery, vitreoretinal surgery and more.
The eye surgeons at OCL also hold NHS consultant positions and have received training in prestigious UK and international healthcare institutions. Together, they bring over 100 years of collective experience, having performed 70,000 plus surgeries, and presented 550 plus lectures nationally and globally.
Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, OCL offers a wide range of advanced surgical procedures. Notably, they are the sole provider in the UK of treatment with the SCHWIND ATOS® femtosecond laser, which enables advanced laser eye procedures like SmartSight lenticule extraction and FemtoLASIK flap creation. They also employ the SCHWIND Amaris 1050RS excimer laser, well-known for vision correction. Moreover, they possess the Z8 Femto LDV laser, which offers precise and gentle laser cataract surgery characterised by safe, repeatable incisions and lens fragmentation.
Understanding the Differences: SmartSight, Relex Smile and LASIK Procedures
SmartSight
OCL Vision has invested £500,000 to bring the breakthrough SmartSight laser eye surgery procedure to the UK. This method includes utilising a laser to form a thin, lens-shaped layer of corneal tissue (lenticule), which is then removed via a small 2 mm incision. Its less invasive method has several advantages over LASIK, including faster recovery and fewer post-surgical dry eye issues. The technique is advised for patients who have prescriptions more than -3 dioptres, with or without astigmatism. SmartSight, unlike LASIK, does not involve the creation of a corneal flap, making it suitable for people who participate in contact sports or work in professions with a high risk of eye injury. It also expands the pool of eligible candidates by accommodating people with thinner or weaker corneas and higher prescriptions, as well as some patients with pre-existing dry eyes who were previously excluded from receiving laser vision correction.
Relex Smile
Relex Smile (Refractive Lenticule Extraction and Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) offers distinct advantages for myopia and astigmatism treatments. This minimally invasive procedure provides precise and effective vision correction. The key difference between Relex Smile and LASIK lies in the absence of corneal flap creation in Relex Smile, eliminating flap-related complications and reducing the mechanical impact on the cornea compared to LASIK.
LASIK
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is still a popular option for laser vision correction due to its remarkable benefits and quick recovery. This treatment involves creating a corneal flap and reshaping the cornea to correct vision. LASIK is successful in treating short-sightedness, long-sightedness, and astigmatism as long as the cornea is sufficiently thick.
Improve the quality of your vision by finding the best place for laser eye surgery in London. At Medical Travel Market, we work with a trusted network of leading Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeons across London.
Note: The eye surgeon featured in the cover image of this article is Ms. Laura de Benito-Llopis, a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon specializing in laser eye surgery, lens-based vision correction, and cataract and corneal transplant surgery. She is also experienced in handling complex cases and utilizes a wide range of intraocular lenses, including premium monofocals, torics, and multifocals.
If you are looking for a the best place for private eye care in London and would like to consult with a leading eye surgeon, please get in touch for assistance. Our team of medical travel advisors can provide concierge support for all your appointment needs.