Recession dampens demand for surgery

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.