What SpaMedica does

SpaMedica is a UK-based independent provider of NHS-funded ophthalmology services, founded in 2008 in Manchester and headquartered in Bolton. Its core service is NHS cataract surgery, supplemented by a broadening clinical portfolio that includes wet AMD (anti-VEGF injections), glaucoma (SLT laser, iridotomy, eye drops), YAG laser capsulotomy, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, and oculoplastics. The company operates a physical network of 60+ specialist eye hospitals across England (with diagnostic clinics extending reach to areas such as the Isle of Wight), performs 100,000+ procedures per year, and reports clinical outcomes including 97.6% of patients achieving driving-standard vision and complication rates below 0.5%. It is regulated by the Care Quality Commission, with numerous hospitals rated 'Outstanding,' and serves NHS patients free at point of care.

The business model is predominantly a sales-led, payer-funded contracting model: revenue is generated through NHS commissioning, with referrals flowing via local ICB pathways through community optometrists and GPs using platforms such as Primary Eyecare Services Opera, Medisoft, and the MediSight portal. SpaMedica anchors its distribution in an Accredited Partner Programme of 6,000+ community optometrists who both refer patients and complete ~74% of post-operative assessments, and reports that 86% of optometrists referred to it last year. Secondary, smaller revenue streams come from private self-pay options: the 'See Sooner' fast-track package (£1,200 per eye, ~31 locations) and the Freedom Vision private brand (50+ clinics, premium/AI-designed lens options, 0% finance).

SpaMedica is privately held and operates as a core partner within Veonet Group, a European ophthalmology platform (since 2021); its Chief Medical Officer sits on the Veonet International Medical Board. CBPE Capital is recorded as a prior investor (2016). The company also runs adjacent education and engagement assets — the STEPS surgeon-training programme (100th trainee reached in 2025), CPD training for optometrists, and a nationwide free patient transport service used by 33,000+ patients last year — that reinforce its referral funnel and clinical supply chain.

Name

SpaMedica

Legal name

SpaMedica

Website

https://spamedica.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

SpaMedica is the UK's largest independent provider of NHS-funded cataract surgery and broader ophthalmology care, operating 60+ specialist eye hospitals across England and serving NHS patients referred via community optometrists and GPs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ophthalmology Services

NAICS

Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists) (621111), Offices of Physicians (62111), Freestanding Ambulatory Surgical and Emergency Centers (621493)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Ophthalmic Goods (3851), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Ophthalmology Clinics (Medical & Surgical Eye Care) (HLAKAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ophthalmology Surgery Centers (HLAFAIAF), Ophthalmic Specialty Hospitals (HLAFAHAJ)

Keywords

• NHS ophthalmology services
• Cataract surgery providers
• Eye hospital network
• Private cataract surgery
• Ophthalmic surgical treatments

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. NHS Funded Ophthalmology Services: Free NHS cataract surgery and other ophthalmology treatments for NHS patients. Revenue comes from NHS contracts/commissioning for providing ophthalmology services including cataract surgery, YAG laser capsulotomy, AMD treatment, glaucoma services, and oculoplastics.
2. Private Cataract Surgery (Freedom Vision): Private cataract surgery with premium lens options including AI-designed RayOne Galaxy lenses. Flexible payment options including 0% interest plans. Available at 50+ clinics across the UK.
3. See Sooner Package: Fast access private cataract surgery at £1,200 per eye using Bausch & Lomb Akreos Lens. Provides quicker access to treatment than standard NHS waiting times (4 weeks vs up to 18 weeks).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SpaMedica is the UK's largest independent NHS ophthalmology provider, delivering cataract surgery and related eye care services (YAG laser capsulotomy, AMD, glaucoma, oculoplastics, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion) at more than 60 specialist hospitals across England. Services are primarily NHS-funded and free at the point of care, supplemented by private self-pay packages (See Sooner and Freedom Vision) offering accelerated access and premium lens options.

Product overview

SpaMedica is the UK's largest independent NHS ophthalmology service provider, offering a comprehensive portfolio of eye care services across over 60 hospitals. The core service is NHS-funded cataract surgery, supplemented by accelerated treatment packages (See Sooner) and a private option (Freedom Vision). Additional clinical services include treatment for AMD (wet macular degeneration), glaucoma, YAG laser capsulotomy, oculoplastics, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vein occlusion. Patient support includes a nationwide free transport service. Education offerings encompass cataract surgery training programmes for junior doctors (STEPS) and CPD training for optometrists. A partner programme enables community optometrists to conduct post-operative assessments through an accreditation scheme.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Freedom Vision: Private cataract surgery services offering premium lens options, flexible payments including 0% plans, and treatment at 50+ clinics across the UK. Founded in 2008 as part of SpaMedica.

Products and services

• NHS Cataract Surgery Free NHS-funded cataract surgery delivered by consultant-level surgeons at 60+ specialist eye hospitals across England, with 97.6% of patients achieving driving-standard vision post-surgery.
• See Sooner Package Fast-access private cataract surgery priced at £1,200 per eye using the Bausch + Lomb Akreos Lens, offering surgery within 4 weeks versus NHS waiting times of up to 18 weeks. Available at 31 locations across England.
• Freedom Vision (Private Cataract Surgery) Private cataract surgery brand offering premium lens options including AI-designed RayOne Galaxy lenses, monofocal, multifocal, and toric options, with flexible payment plans including 0% interest. Available at 50+ clinics across the UK with free 60-minute consultation and free YAG treatment within 12 months if required.
• Glaucoma Service NHS service providing diagnostic assessments, monitoring, and treatment for various types of glaucoma, including SLT laser therapy, laser peripheral iridotomy, and eye drops. Available at 23 hospitals.
• Macula / AMD Service Wet AMD treatment using anti-VEGF injections, with 100% of referred NHS patients assessed within 14 days of referral. Available at 25 hospitals across England.
• YAG Laser Capsulotomy Laser treatment for posterior capsule opacification (a common complication after cataract surgery), providing a permanent solution in a few minutes per eye.
• Oculoplastics Service Consultant-led eyelid and facial surgical procedures including ectropion, entropion, ptosis, chalazion, and trichiasis treatment. Currently offered at SpaMedica Worcester.
• Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Treatment for diabetes-related eye complications including diabetic macular oedema using anti-VEGF injections. Available at 14 hospitals.
• Retinal Vein Occlusion Treatment Anti-VEGF treatment for retinal vein occlusion with first-line injection therapy and ongoing monitoring. Available at 14 hospitals.
• Cataract Surgery Training (STEPS) Training and Education Programme for Surgeons (STEPS) offering cataract surgery training for ST1-ST7 doctors using Regional Training Suites equipped with digital dry labs, synthetic model eyes replicating human eye feel, surgical microscopes, phacoemulsification machines, and iPads for recording/review.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97.6% of patients regain driving-standard vision after cataract surgery
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• Veonet GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021SpaMedica is a partner of the Veonet Group, working in collaboration with other leading ophthalmology partners across Europe. Partners share expertise and knowledge to deliver best-practice care and high-quality outcomes to patients. SpaMedica's Chief Medical Officer Dr Alex Silvester is a member of the Veonet International Medical Board. All Veonet partners share a common goal of ensuring every patient enjoys a lifetime of healthy vision.
• Community Optometrists (6,000+)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpaMedica works with over 6,000 community optometrists through their Accredited Partner Programme. Optometrists refer NHS patients for cataract surgery and complete post-operative assessments. Benefits include dedicated support, patient helpline, feedback on patient journeys, additional revenue from post-op assessments and new prescription glasses, and CPD training.
• Vision ExpressstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpaMedica partnered with Vision Express to offer pre-registration training placements to 150 aspiring optometrists. Trainees shadow SpaMedica's clinical teams and in-house optometrists treating patients with eye conditions including cataracts and wet AMD.
• Lions Clubs International (Recycle for Sight)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Lions Clubs International's Recycle for Sight initiative. Patients at SpaMedica hospitals can donate glasses they no longer need. The initiative improves global eye health by providing recycled glasses to those in need.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves16 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Veonet Group: European ophthalmology partnership network of which SpaMedica is a member. Adjacent ecosystem participant enabling knowledge sharing and potential cross-border expansion; not a direct competitor.
• Vision Express: UK national optical retailer and optometry chain. Strategic training partner with SpaMedica (pre-registration optometrist placements) and a referrer into SpaMedica's services, but not a direct service competitor.

Direct peers

• Newmedica: UK independent ophthalmology provider offering NHS-funded cataract surgery and other eye care services. Direct competitor to SpaMedica in NHS community ophthalmology, with similar referral-based model via optometrists.
• CHEC (Community Health and Eye Care): Independent sector provider of NHS ophthalmology services including cataract surgery, with multiple UK sites. Competes head-to-head with SpaMedica for NHS contracts and ICB commissioning.
• Optegra Eye Sciences: UK ophthalmology provider operating specialist eye hospitals offering both NHS-funded and private cataract surgery with premium lens options. Closest overlap to SpaMedica's dual NHS/private model.
• Optical Express: UK's largest private provider of laser eye surgery and lens replacement including cataract procedures. Direct competitor in the private cataract segment where SpaMedica's Freedom Vision operates.
• Practice Plus Group: Independent UK healthcare provider offering NHS and private ophthalmology, elective surgery, and diagnostics. Competes with SpaMedica in NHS ophthalmology commissioning.

Broad incumbents

• Spire Healthcare: Large UK private hospital group offering ophthalmology alongside broad elective surgery. Overlaps with SpaMedica in private cataract/eye surgery but operates a much wider specialty portfolio.
• Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust: UK's largest specialist NHS eye hospital. Competitor for complex ophthalmology cases and tertiary referrals; less focused on high-volume community cataract surgery where SpaMedica dominates.
• Nuffield Health: UK private hospital and wellbeing provider offering ophthalmology among many other specialties. Comparable in private cataract delivery but with much broader healthcare scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SpaMedica