Cataract patients turn to private care

OCL Vision has seen the number of cataract patients opting for private treatment grow by 22% in the last year as a result of NHS waiting lists.

The clinic’s research found that referrals for cataract surgery had seen a particular increase in wait times and the increase in private patients boosted its income by 30%.

Mr Romesh Angunawela, ophthalmic surgeon and co-founder of OCL Vision, said: ‘Cataract surgery has long been one of the most common self-funded medical procedures, despite the disruption that cataracts can cause to sight, and this trend looks set to continue. More people are coming through our door as the private sector steps in to reduce the burden on the NHS.’