Laser market grows in more positive climate

This year has seen an expansion in the refractive surgery market in UK and Ireland, with more emphasis towards lens procedures, according to the findings of Optician's seventh annual survey of the market.

The annual survey which was conducted jointly with the British Society of Refractive Surgery and supported by the Eye Laser Association revealed that after years of negative publicity and parliamentary scrutiny, in the past 12 months reports of clinical outcomes have been largely positive.

This year, the report identified 105 clinics in the UK, 10 more than in 2006 and 2005. The increase follows four consecutive years of little or no net growth. The number of clinics has doubled since the first survey was conducted in 2001. According to the survey findings, Ireland has experienced the biggest growth in recent years, taking the total of clinics to at least 20.