{{Short description|Healthcare company in Leeds, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Use British English|date=September 2017}} {{primary sources|date=June 2008}} {{Infobox company | name = Ultralase Eye Clinics Limited | logo = | type = Limited company | location = Leeds, England, UK | foundation = 1991 | key_people = Russell Ambrose (CEO) | industry = Healthcare | products = | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | num_employees = | homepage = [http://www.ultralase.com www.ultralase.com] }}
'''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 (1989), 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.<ref name="publications.parliament.uk">{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmhansrd/vo040204/debtext/40204-33.htm|title=House of Commons Hansard Debates for 4 Feb 2004 (pt 33)|first=Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Commons|last=Westminster|website=publications.parliament.uk}}</ref>
Ultralase was purchased by 3i following the £175 million purchase from Corporacion Dermoestetica in January 2008,<ref name="3i">{{ cite web | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/privateEquity/idUSN2742409320071227 | title= Dermoestetica to sell eye unit Ultralase to 3i | date=27 December 2007 | publisher=Thomson Reuters }}</ref> who had bought the business in May 2005 for £29 million.<ref name="Corp Derm">{{cite web | url=http://www.opticianonline.net/Articles/2005/05/20/13356/Ultralase+sold+for+%C2%A330m+to+Valencia-based+giant.html?key=CLINICS | title=Ultralase sold for £30m to Valencia-based giant | date=20 May 2005 | author=David Challinor | access-date=19 August 2008 | archive-date=23 July 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723233543/http://www.opticianonline.net/Articles/2005/05/20/13356/Ultralase+sold+for+%C2%A330m+to+Valencia-based+giant.html?key=CLINICS | url-status=dead }}</ref>
After going into administration, in 2013 Ultralase was acquired by '''Optimax''' founder and CEO '''Russell Ambrose''' for £10 million.<ref>{{cite web|title=Optimax snaps up Ultralase - Optician|url=https://www.opticianonline.net/news/optimax-snaps-up-ultralase|access-date=13 April 2021|website=www.opticianonline.net|date=7 December 2012|archive-date=13 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413125101/https://www.opticianonline.net/news/optimax-snaps-up-ultralase|url-status=dead}}</ref>
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:<ref name="publications.parliament.uk"/> <blockquote> Laser eye surgery was developed by the ophthalmologist Dr. Steven Trokel in 1987, and first used on a patient in Germany in 1988. The first laser eye treatment clinic using Dr. Trokel's laser was founded by US-based investors in Toronto in 1989. Following the success of the US operation, the first UK clinic was opened at Clatterbridge hospital, in Wirral, in January 1991. It grew into a string of clinics now known as '''Ultralase''', one of Britain's foremost laser eye treatment providers. </blockquote> <blockquote> Negligence claims involving laser eye surgery against doctors belonging to the Medical Defence Union have more than doubled in the past six years. The Medical Defence Union is the largest insurer for UK doctors. It believes that, while some of the claims were for faulty surgery, many more centred on patients' unrealistic expectations about what could be achieved. Recent figures released by the union show that claims over laser eye surgery have increased by 166 per cent. in six years and now account for a third of all ophthalmology claims. The MDU has increased its subscription rates for laser eye surgeons and advised them on how to minimise the risk of a claim. </blockquote>
== 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ultralase|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5p2T49sqbQpJZ7X3tH0QmCT/ultralase|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506024732/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5p2T49sqbQpJZ7X3tH0QmCT/ultralase|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 May 2018|access-date=13 April 2021|website=www.bbc.co.uk}} </ref>
==Services== Ultralase provides laser and lens implant eye surgery.
==See also== *Private healthcare in the United Kingdom
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.ultralase.com Ultralase Laser Eye Surgery website]
Category:Health care companies of the United Kingdom Category:Companies based in Leeds Category:Eye care in the United Kingdom Category:Health care companies established in 1991 Category:1991 establishments in England