March 2001

Kestrel Ophthalmics was incorporated on 1st March 2001 and started business as the exclusive distributor for Oasis Medical in the UK and Ireland. We are proud to say that in 2003 and for every year since, Kestrel has been the top selling Oasis distributor in the World.

October 2001

In October 2001 Kestrel was appointed as the UK distributor HumanOptics and was delighted to launch the 1CU, the first accommodating IOL to be introduced into the UK IOL market. This innovative lens has proved to be a trailblazer that others have followed.

December 2001

In December 2001 the contract to sell Biolon in the UK was novated from Ventiv Health to Kestrel Ophthalmics.

January 2002

In January 2002 Kestrel was appointed as the UK distributor for Janach surgical instruments.

June 2003

In June 2003, Kestrel entered the field of treatments for Keratoconus with a contract from Addition Technology to sell Intacs corneal inserts into the UK and Ireland.

August 2005

Our first venture into prescription pharmaceutical was in August 2005 when Kestrel was appointed as UK distributor for Santen Pharma for the launch of Oftaquix antibiotic eye drops, a third generation fluoroquinolone in multi-dose and unit-dose (preservative free) form. In the quarter ending September 2011 Kestrel achieved a Class market share (cash) with Oftaquix of 36.1%.

February 2006

In February 2006 Kestrel signed a contract with Tubilux to launch Oxyal into the UK market and were the first company to gain prescription status for hyaluronic acid treatment for dry-eye. Many have followed, but Kestrel opened the door.

August 2008

In August 2008 Kestrel took its first step into the field of Glaucoma with the signing of a contract for the UK distribution of Molteno glaucoma drainage devices.

November 2009

This was followed in November 2009 with a contract to sell Ologen from Aeon Astron and a contract with Sensimed to launch Triggerfish into the UK and Ireland. In 2015, still in Glaucoma, we then went on to successfully launch Xen Implant which was acquired by Allergan in 2015.

2016 and 2017

Since then we have continued to look for innovative quality products including the Eye Tech Care EyeOp1 machine for glaucoma, the introduction of Ilast care and Ilast Hydraclean to expand our Optometry range further, and in 2016 we added Cliradex facial cleanser. 2017 has seen the introduction of the I-Pen for Tear Osmolarity Testing system and we have plans for much more.

March 2017

On March the 1st 2017, Cutting Edge SAS acquired Kestrel Ophthalmics and introduced its IOL portfolio into the UK ophthalmic market. With the launch of the Synthesis and the Genesis platforms we are part of a future of innovation.

June 2018

The customer service team moves to larger premises in Poole, Dorset.

June 2021

Our very own levofloxacin eye drop is released to the UK market. Oxalux is a single dose levofloxacin 5mg/ml preservative free eye drop.

January 2022

The next generation Carlevale™ hi-tech hybrid lens with injector is released in the UK. Kestrel are proud to be the exclusive UK distributor for this IOL.