(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON — One of the UK’s top consultants in corneal transplant, cataract, lens and laser eye surgery, Ms Laura de Benito, has become the latest eminent surgeon to join the fast-growing independent eye clinic, OCL Vision.
Ms de Benito has served as a consultant surgeon at a series of international centres of excellence in eye health for more than a decade and a half. After graduating top of her year at medical school in Valencia, Spain, she gained a PhD with honours for her thesis on corneal wound healing.
Specialising in cataract, lens and laser eye surgery, she has worked at London’s prestigious Moorfields Eye Hospital since 2016.
Dr de Benito is the ninth consultant to join OCL Vision, a partnership of some of the UK’s foremost eye surgeons who between them have world-class expertise in all aspects of vision correction, cataract and corneal surgery, as well as the treatment of glaucoma, retinal conditions and macular degeneration.
She joins the team as the clinic experiences a surge in patient demand for laser surgery. In the 12 months to November 2021, OCL’s surgeons will have completed 79% more laser procedures than they did during the previous year.
The booming popularity of laser eye surgery may be linked to the toll of lockdown life. A recent OCL Vision survey of 2000 people found that two fifths (39%) felt their eyes had suffered from the increased screen time, with over a third (37%) saying their eyesight had deteriorated since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic[1].
The research also found that nearly two thirds (63%) of those who wear contacts or glasses would like to be rid of them for good. For the millions who feel this way and who built up some savings during lockdown, laser eye surgery – which permanently corrects vision – is now a realistic alternative to the open-ended cost of wearing contacts or glasses.
Dr Laura de Benito, consultant surgeon at OCL Vision, commented: “Together the consultants at OCL Vision are a group of distinguished, respected and skillful ophthalmic surgeons who share a common goal to provide superb patient care. But each individual surgeon also brings their own unique expertise and perspective, and I am delighted to be joining them.
“Laser eye surgery is evolving rapidly but one thing doesn’t change – it’s quick, painless and has the power to change lives for the better. The team at OCL is already performing some of the most advanced procedures anywhere in Britain, and I look forward to using my skills and OCL’s world-class facilities to give many more patients the vision they want.”