Q: Why should I endorse refractive / laser eye surgery with my patients?

​A: Refractive / laser eye surgery offers your patients a life changing opportunity to correct and overcome their sight problems, removing the need for inconvenient glasses and fiddly contact lenses. Over 30 million  treatments have been carried out worldwide, providing patients with the freedom and benefit of having unaided vision, which massively improves and enhances their quality of life. More and more patients are opting for this life changing surgery each year, which means by default, more and more patients are relying less on conventional ophthalmic solutions. Post refractive surgery patients however, should still continue to have regular eye examinations to ensure that their eyes remain healthy and to pick up early signs of any eye and general health conditions. For this, they require the services of an Optometrist or other suitable Clinician.


Q: What's the downside to my business if I don't refer?

​A: With the popularity of refractive / laser eye surgery growing and becoming a preferred treatment available to patients, awareness and appeal is solid. In a similar way to other elective surgical treatments, patients are opting to make this choice, with or without a referral from their Clinician. As more and more of your patients elect for these procedures, you are losing patients with no control or input. By not referring your patients which display some motivation towards these options, you could potentially lose that patient to a Refractive & Laser Eye Surgery Provider and the loyalty that patient brings into your clinic. A Partnership therefore makes great sense for you and your patients and further underpins your commitment to the best clinical outcomes for your patient.


Q: Is there a minimum expectation or any pressure to refer?

​A: Absolutely not. You (as the patients core provider of ophthalmic care) are free to exercise your judgement and recommendations as you see fit. There are no expectations or targets to hit - you simply refer as many, or as little patients, as you believe can benefit from the life changing refractive solutions that are on offer. That commitment further extends to our Refractive & Laser Eye Surgery Providers when a patient is referred. The patient will be under no pressure to choose a treatment and should the patient elect to not choose to proceed, they simply are referred back to you for your continued care. The best clinical outcome for the patient will always be the core objective. 


Q: Will I receive the necessary training to support my VIP Proposition?

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​A: Absolutely. As part of our core purpose VIP are firmly committed to the education of refractive surgery. With our Refractive & Laser Eye Surgery Partners will ensure you have the knowledge, skills and capability to be able to competently and confidently discuss, guide and support your patients through the refractive / laser eye journey. We'll ensure you understand the procedures on offer, the consultation process, the surgical experience and the aftercare the patient would receive.


Q: How am I kept engaged in the process, should I refer a patient?

​A: Just as when a GP refers a patient to another service, you are central to the patients clinical care. As the Referrer, our Refractive & Laser Eye Surgery Providers are committed and professionally bound to ensuring you are kept well informed of their interactions with your patient. This commitment extends to the exchange and supply of all patient records and information, to enable you (as their main provider of clinical care), to fully understand and support their on-going clinical care, whether they proceed or choose not to. 


Q: Why should I partner with a Refractive & Laser Eye Surgery Provider?

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​A: More and more patients are now opting for a permanent eye care solution and refractive surgery can break patients free of their reliance on the more traditional ophthalmic products, which you will be offering right now. As most of the Refractive & Laser Eye Surgery Providers operate in this specialist area alone, with no traditional optical patient base to call upon, the vast majority of their patients come from pro-active marketing. Naturally, these patients usually have their own optician - often an Independent one. As each patient proceeds with a refractive and laser eye surgery solution, it takes a patient away from the Independent Optician. It therefore makes great sense to partner with a Refractive & Laser Eye Surgery Provider, to not only retain your patient base but also grow your reputation, through the partnerships available to Independent Opticians, with VIP.​