New refractive surgery clinics continue to open in the UK, although growth in the sector slowed this year as the recession dampened demand.
Optician's ninth annual survey of clinics in the UK and Ireland identified 138 locations in the UK, 10 more than last year and an increase of 8 per cent compared to a 22 per cent rise in 2008.
All three of the major groups - Optical Express, Optimax and Ultralase - opened new sites this year and some private and hospital-based clinics also expanded. In Ireland, the groups increased their presence with Ultralase's acquisition of Eye Laser Ireland, but at least one clinic there closed.
Increased use of wavefront and femtosecond treatments, and more demand for intraocular surgery, are the main trends this year and other techniques such as corneal cross-linking for keratoconus are becoming more widely used
Despite reports of downward pressure on prices, average charges for Lasik as quoted by our sample were slightly up at £951 per eye compared to £916 last year. But prices ranged 'from £395' at two of the major groups to £2,300 per eye at a Harley Street clinic.
Most clinics say the economy is likely to further impact the market in 2010 but several companies have plans for expansion. This week private investment company Moonray Healthcare said it had raised $60m to expand the Surrey-based clinic Optegra and create seven new hospitals in several countries over the next 18 months, including sites in the Solent and Manchester.
Chief executive of Moonray Healthcare Tim Clover said Optegra aimed to become the market leader in the developing market for implantable lenses.
Optegra opened in Guildford a year ago and is the first in Europe to offer a new treatment for advanced age-related macular degeneration. The Lipschitz Macular Implant (LMI) is implanted behind the iris and incorporates a telescopic effect to magnify images entering the eye. The lens is exclusive to Optegra and treatment costs £7,500 per eye.
? See pages 24-30 for the full survey and a directory of 125 clinics taking part this year.