Ultralase


Ultralase is a healthcare company based in the Leeds, England, it specialises in vision correction through laser eye surgery.

Overview and history

Established in 1991 by US based ophthalmologist Claus Fichte, optometrist Andrew Bell and business man Christopher Neave, Ultralase were the first to introduce a national network of laser eye surgery clinics in the UK. Following the success of the world's first refractive surgery clinic, opened by US-based investors in Toronto, the UK's first ever laser eye surgery clinic was opened at Clatterbridge hospital, Wirral in January 1991. This clinic was the first to perform laser eye surgery in the UK, and expanded to become the Ultralase network.
Ultralase was purchased by 3i following the £175m purchase from Corporacion Dermoestetica in January 2008, who had bought the business in May 2005 for £29m.
After going into administration, in 2013 Ultralase was acquired by Optimax founder and CEO Russell Ambrose for £10m.
Ultralase is currently part of the Optimax group of companies.

Concerns raised in parliament

Dr. Ashok Kumar, a British Labour Party politician, made a motion on 4 February 2004 concerning laser eye surgery and mentioning Ultralase in the British House of Commons:



Controversy

When Russell Ambrose acquired Ultralase, its existing patients discovered that Ambrose would not honour their lifetime aftercare guaranteed on purchase.
As a result of an investigation by BBC Watchdog, broadcast on 8 October 2015, in response to the negative publicity, Ambrose agreed to reinstate their aftercare.

Services

Ultralase provides laser and lens implant eye surgery.