People with Bupa health insurance now have the option of undergoing cataract surgery at Optical Express centres around the UK.
Optical Express is one of the largest providers of ophthalmic services in the UK. If a Bupa member needs cataract surgery, they will now have the convenience of seeing a Bupa recognised ophthalmologist at one of five Optical Express surgery centres in city locations.
Cataract surgery is now one of the most common procedures in the UK, with around 350,000 operations being performed each year. Cataract surgery is one of the most common and quickest forms of surgery, with many people able to return to their usual daily routine 24 hours after the operation.
A cataract forms when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, causing vision to deteriorate and can lead to blindness if left untreated. While there are factors that may contribute to the formation of cataracts, it is also a natural part of the aging process; like greying hair and the loss of close up vision (presbyopia). In the UK, more than half of people who are aged 65 and over have some cataract development in one or both eyes.
While the surgery is highly effective for treating cataracts, it is not uncommon for some patients to experience reduced vision following the procedure. Bupa members who have cataract surgery at an Optical Express centre can now benefit from the added insurance of corrective laser eye surgery1at no extra cost, saving them several hundred pounds.
Dr Natalie-Jane Macdonald, Managing Director of Bupa Health and Wellbeing said:“Bupa has been in the business of healthcare for over sixty years, and because we have no shareholders, we can invest the money we make into more and better healthcare for our members. We know that our customers want convenient, high quality, good value eye care, and our new relationship with Optical Express ensures that our members have greater choice and easier access to the treatment and care they need.”
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Optical Express, David Moulsdale said: “I am proud that Bupa has selected Optical Express to deliver cataract surgery to its insured members. Optical Express is committed to delivering quality eye care with clinical excellence and now Bupa members can benefit from exceptional quality of vision, leading to happier and healthier lives.”
“Optical Express has been providing quality eye care for over twenty years with a documented level of success. Customer care is at the heart of everything we do and we look forward to building a new relationship with Bupa who we know share our vision.”
Bupa insured members now also have the choice of being referred for cataract surgery by one of the 14,000 optometrists in the UK, many of whom work in high street opticians, including Optical Express. This means that Bupa members can arrange a consultation with a specialist to discuss cataract surgery without needing to see their GP first, allowing them to access treatment as quickly as possible and with minimal inconvenience.
