Question 1

How much does a Lens Audit cost?

Accepted Answer

The audit fee is £250.00 (inclusive of VAT where applicable), requested after the team has checked that the required records are available. Each audit is carried out personally by an expert GMC-registered Consultant Ophthalmologist — a senior hospital specialist. This is a specialist clinical opinion, not an automated report. Payment is processed securely via Stripe.

Question 2

What exactly is The Lens Audit?

Accepted Answer

The Lens Audit is an independent clinical data review service. A GMC-registered Consultant Ophthalmologist reviews your ophthalmic scan data — biometry, OCT, corneal topography — and produces a written report recommending the most appropriate intraocular lens for your vision, lifestyle, and clinical profile. It is not a surgical consultation. It is preparation for one.

Question 3

Who is this service for?

Accepted Answer

Anyone facing cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange who wants to understand their lens options before committing to a clinic or surgeon. It is also used by opticians and GPs who want to give their patients an independent, expert opinion before the surgical pathway begins.

Question 4

Is The Lens Audit a replacement for my surgical consultation?

Accepted Answer

No. Your surgeon will guide you through the surgical process — The Lens Audit helps you arrive at that conversation already informed. The final decision about surgery, lens selection, and clinical management remains entirely with you and your operating surgeon.

Question 5

Who carries out the audit?

Accepted Answer

All audits are carried out by an expert GMC-registered Consultant Ophthalmologist — a senior hospital specialist with dedicated expertise in cataract surgery and intraocular lens selection. The Consultant has no financial relationship with any lens manufacturer, surgical provider, or optical retailer.

Question 6

What happens after I submit my referral?

Accepted Answer

Once your records are received and payment is confirmed, the Consultant begins the clinical review. There is no appointment to attend — the Consultant works through your data and produces a written report, typically within 48 hours. The doctor reviews and manually releases your report. An optional online consultation to explain it is included in your £250 fee and available on request. Sharing with a referring clinician requires your agreement.

Question 7

Do I need to have a surgery date booked first?

Accepted Answer

No. Many patients come to us before they have even chosen a surgeon. The earlier in the process you seek an independent review, the more options remain open to you.

Question 8

Can I use The Lens Audit if I've already had a surgical consultation?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. A second opinion is always valuable, and it is never too late to seek one — provided surgery has not yet taken place.

Question 9

What records do I need to provide?

Accepted Answer

The minimum required is your optician's report — the glasses prescription and clinical findings from your most recent eye examination. Additional records improve the precision of the review significantly: biometry (IOL Master or equivalent), OCT macular scans, corneal topography (Pentacam or similar), visual fields, and any previous hospital ophthalmology letters. If you are unsure what you have or how to obtain it, contact us and we will advise.

Question 10

Can I submit scans in any format?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The portal accepts DICOM files (.dcm), PDF exports, and standard image formats (JPEG, PNG, TIFF). It is compatible with Zeiss IOL Master, Heidelberg Spectralis, Topcon Maestro, Nidek OPD, and Pentacam, among others.

Question 11

What lens types does the audit cover?

Accepted Answer

All clinically available intraocular lens categories: monofocal, monofocal plus, extended depth-of-focus (EDOF), trifocal, toric (for astigmatism correction), and combinations. The report covers only those lens types that are appropriate for your specific measurements and clinical profile.

Question 12

Will the report tell me which lens to choose?

Accepted Answer

The report provides a clear recommendation based on your data and stated visual goals. It explains the reasoning, the trade-offs of each option, and what you can realistically expect from each lens type. The final choice is always yours.

Question 13

What if I want to be spectacle-free after surgery?

Accepted Answer

Full spectacle independence is a common goal and one the audit specifically addresses. Whether it is achievable depends on your corneal measurements, the degree of any astigmatism, and other clinical factors. The report will tell you honestly what is and is not realistic for your eyes.

Question 14

How is this different from what my optometrist can tell me?

Accepted Answer

Optometrists provide excellent general eye care but are not typically trained in intraocular lens selection or cataract surgical planning. The Lens Audit is specifically focused on the lens decision within the context of cataract surgery — a narrow but critically important area of expertise.

Question 15

How does the referral process work for opticians?

Accepted Answer

The patient pays the £250 audit fee directly, or you can pay on their behalf. The doctor reviews and manually sends the patient’s report, typically within 48 hours after complete records and payment. Sharing with the referrer requires patient agreement. An optional online explanation consultation is included on request.

Question 16

Does The Lens Audit refer patients to specific surgeons or clinics?

Accepted Answer

No. The Lens Audit does not make referrals to surgical providers. Our role is to inform the lens decision — not to direct surgical care. This independence is fundamental to the service.

Question 17

How do I set up a practice account?

Accepted Answer

You can submit an optician referral directly through the website’s Book an Audit page. A practice login is not required for the current referral form. Obtain the patient’s permission before sharing their details and records. Contact info@thelensaudit.com for help.

Question 18

How is my data stored and protected?

Accepted Answer

Your records are stored on secure servers in the UK. Everything sent through the website is encrypted, staff sign in with two-factor authentication, only the consultant reviewing your audit can see your records, and every access is logged. Our privacy notice (thelensaudit.com/privacy) explains how long we keep information and your rights. Please share records only with the patient’s permission.

Question 19

Will my data be shared with anyone?

Accepted Answer

Your Lens Audit Report will be sent to you and, with your permission, to your referring clinician. Your raw scan data and personal information will never be sold, licensed, or shared with any commercial third party for marketing or research purposes without your separate explicit consent.

Question 20

What are my rights under UK GDPR?

Accepted Answer

You have the right to a copy of your information, to have it corrected, to ask for it to be deleted (subject to the periods we must keep clinical records), and to complain. Email data@thelensaudit.com or use the form on our privacy page (thelensaudit.com/privacy). We reply within one month. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ico.org.uk).

Question 21

Is the fee refundable?

Accepted Answer

Once the expert Consultant Ophthalmologist has begun reviewing your data, the audit fee is non-refundable. If a full audit cannot be completed due to data inadequacy beyond your control, a partial or full refund may be considered at the Consultant's discretion.

Question 22

What payment methods are accepted?

Accepted Answer

All major credit and debit cards are accepted via Stripe. The Lens Audit does not store or have access to your card details.

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