Our roadmap
Select a stage to see what it means for you.
October 2026: New website
A new website for optometrists
The first step is this website: one place for optometrists and optical practice teams to follow the move to OPERA+.
What you can do
- Follow the roadmap: see each stage of the move and what it means for your practice.
- Read the latest news: updates as each stage gets closer.
- Learn about the new features: read updates on new features and what they mean for you
Until OPERA+ is ready, please keep sending referrals in the usual way.
November 2026: Onboarding changes
Changes to how practices join
We are changing how optical practices and their staff are set up to use OPERA+, so that everyone is ready before the new platform goes live.
If you are already registered in OPERA, there will be no action for you to undertake - you will move to OPERA+ using your current credentials.
November 2026: New Patient Choice Portal
Richer, more informed patient choice systems
OPERA+ now gives patients a brand new, richer way to choose where they are seen. After a referral is triaged, they receive a letter or text with a reference number and passcode, then open their own provider-choice page on the OPERA patient portal. Instead of a short list of names, they see the hospital and clinic services that fit their referral — such as cataract or glaucoma — laid out around their postcode.
Each option shows where it is, how far away it is, its CQC rating, what other patients have said, and how long people are currently waiting. They can sort by what matters most to them: the closest service, the strongest rating, the best feedback, or the shortest wait, and then confirm the provider they want. It is a clearer, more personal step in the referral, and it puts the choice in the patient’s hands.
We will also be adding new channels for patient's to express their choice including AI assisted telephone calls where patient's consent to receive these - making their choice easier and more informed.
December 2026: New authentication details
New sign-in details
OPERA+ uses new, more secure sign-in details. This will use an authenticator device and will no longer rely on text messages. We will start offering you the chance to set up your authenticator in OPERA so everything is ready for your move.
Some OPERA users will already have set this up - but we will need everyone to use this. We will provide guidance on how to use on your mobile phone and also on your desktop if this is easier.
January 2027: Online training materials and live seminars
Getting you ready for the move
We will be releasing on this site a range of training materials that highlight the minor differences in workflows between OPERA and OPERA+. We have designed OPERA+ so that the learning curve will be modest - but there are some new features we'd like to show you.
We will also be scheduling a number of live seminars with Q&A sessions - these will be recorded and available here.
We know your busy - and we expect most users to be able to use OPERA+ from day one with little or no additional support.
February 2027: OPERA+ launched for all optometry users
OPERA+ for every practice
OPERA+ is launched for all optometry users.
We will give every practice notice of its move, with guidance and support to help you get started.