Drop-Free Cataract Surgery at Optegra

From 1st September 2025, drop-free cataract surgery will be part of the NHS treatment service that we offer at Optegra. This means you don’t have to worry about weeks worth of drops after your surgery. With drop-free cataract surgery at Optegra, you can look forward to clear, comfortable healing with less hassle and the same exceptional results.

… the inconvenience of daily drops.

… the worry of using daily drops incorrectly.

… the possible side effects and complications from using (or miss administering) daily drops.

… the longer recovery times that comes with daily drops post-surgery.

… the risk of poorer outcomes from daily drops.

“I couldn’t be happier”

I understand that previously drops were always administered to keep the eye free from bacteria. And it has all been explained to me that they do a steroid injection in the eye. So that is amazing. It saves about four weeks of drops and remembering to do them. It avoids all that inconvenience, so I couldn’t be happier.

Maria Walmsey, 78

At Optegra, we’re always looking for ways to make treatment smoother, safer and more comfortable for our patients. That’s why we’ve introduced drop-free cataract surgery to all NHS patients; a simpler alternative to using weeks of post-operative eye drops.

How does drop-free cataract surgery work?

Instead of prescribing steroid drops after surgery, a small dose of anti-inflammatory medication is gently placed inside the eye during the procedure itself. This targeted approach reduces the risk of inflammation and means patients no longer need to manage weeks of drops at home. It’s clinically effective and removes the worry of needing to follow a regime of drops, missing doses or struggling with application.

Our pilot study showed excellent results and surgeons and patients alike have responded positively. We’re now rolling this out across all Optegra NHS hospitals from September 2025.

For our patients, this means less hassle, fewer side effects and a quicker return to normal life, all without compromising on results.

What are the benefits of drop-free cataract surgery?

At Optegra, we’re thrilled to be the first to offer patients drop-free cataract surgery. For patients, dropping the drops will make the experience of cataract treatment more effective and smoother than ever.

It eliminates the inconvenience of an often extensive after care regime lasting 4 weeks or more.
Patients will no longer need to physically struggle administering their drops.
It drives better outcomes, with less risk of infection.
Faster and hassle-free recovery.

How to secure NHS referral to Optegra

If you have been diagnosed with a cataract and are keen to have treatment sooner rather than later, Optegra will be able to help.

Cataract can develop slowly over time, causing blurred vision, clouding of vision and even double vision for some people. As it happens so gradually, patients often do not realise how badly their eyesight has deteriorated until they have the actual treatment — and then they say they can see in HD!

The procedure is pain-free and the most commonly performed elective surgery in the NHS — it takes only around 20 minutes and is conducted as a day case procedure with no need for any overnight stays.

To secure your own timely NHS treatment at Optegra, simply ask your GP or community optician to refer you.

I have an enquiry about my referral or appointment

Email optegra.bookings@nhs.net
Call 0800 077 3727

Request a referral letter

you can send the letter to optegra.referrals1@nhs.net or optegra.urgent@nhs.net if urgent.

You have the right to choose where you are treated. If you have been waiting a long time for treatment, and you would like to be treated at Optegra, you can ask your Optician or GP to refer you to Optegra.

Our Patients Love Drop-Free

5 Stars

“The drop free cataract operation adapts far better than the traditional operation. My experience after the operation is far better than the first operation by the traditional method. The Doctor chose the most effective treatment without asking me to choose. This is professionalism.”

Chan May, patient, was treated at our Manchester Eye Hospital.

July 2025