Cataract Surgery Cost in the UK

Private Cataract Surgery Cost as of January 2024

Restoring your vision through the surgery is crucial sooner rather than later to maintain your daily activities and mental well-being. The cost depends on your location, chosen hospital or clinic, highly experienced consultants and facilities. It’s smart to choose a nearby hospital for convenience and post-surgery rest. Consider both facilities and the consultant’s availability.

For instance, if you see a doctor through the NHS but the wait is long, ask if they do the surgery privately. Many NHS doctors can do private treatments in private hospitals. If you’re unsure which doctor to choose, get a few quotes, read their reviews and make your decision.

It is important to understand the quote

Before deciding on surgery, it’s wise to research and gather quotes from various hospitals. When reaching out to clinics, specifically request a fixed price to avoid unclear terms, such as only covering surgery and not aftercare. Assess the quotes thoroughly to understand all aspects. If any part of the quote is unclear, request a callback for a detailed explanation.

What is the Cost of Cataract Surgery?

It’s crucial to see if you qualify for surgery through the NHS and find out the current waiting time. If you don’t meet the criteria, prices can vary, and London may charge more than other areas in the UK. On average, surgeries for standard Monofocal lenses can cost between £1,990 and £3,250, while surgeries for multifocal lenses may range from £3,595 to £4,625. Check the table below for prices at well-known clinics in the UK:

The fees for laser surgery include:

• Free Consultation
• Surgery
• Medication
• Aftercare
• Lenses
• Surgeons’ fees
• Hospital fees
• Follow-up appointments

Additional Fees

Following the surgery, the usual postoperative care includes one follow-up appointment and a set of prescribed medications to take home. It’s crucial to be aware that if you need more follow-up visits than what is outlined in your treatment plan, there could be additional costs. The practice manager will inform you of any extra fees such as diagnostic eye tests etc.

Is cataract surgery done on NHS?

NHS provides these kinds of surgeries as it is a medically necessary procedure to treat cloudy vision caused by cataracts. Cataracts can affect vision over time, and surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens. The NHS offers this surgery to eligible patients to improve their vision and quality of life.

However, it’s important to understand that your particular case may not be deemed severe enough to necessitate immediate surgery. Alternatively, you might opt to schedule the operation privately at a time convenient for you, rather than waiting for an appointment through the NHS.

NHS Waiting list

In 2023, the waiting time for cataract treatment on the NHS can vary, especially for non-urgent cases, where the wait may extend up to 18 weeks from the appointment day. It’s crucial to understand that this is an average timeframe, and the actual wait can differ based on factors like the specific NHS trust, location, and the urgency of the individual case.

Opting for a Cataract Surgery

If you decide that private treatment is your only choice and you don’t have health insurance or enough funds, many clinics now offer financing options with 0% APR. This means you can spread the cost over several months, usually up to 24 months depending on the clinic. Here are the financing choices available for the basic Monofocal Lens, which is the more affordable option:

Standard lenses

In cataract surgery, a standard lens, used to replace the cloudy natural lens affected by cataracts, is commonly employed in traditional procedures. Its primary aim is to improve your distance vision. Standard lenses don’t correct other vision issues like astigmatism and don’t offer clear vision for activities at intermediate or near distances.

If you opt for standard lenses, you may still need your glasses for tasks such as reading or computer work following your surgery.

Multifocal lenses

Multifocal lenses are meant to improve your vision at different distances—close, middle and far. Unlike standard lenses that mainly help with seeing far things, multifocal lenses aim to make various activities clearer for you, like reading and using a computer.

Toric lens for astigmatism

A Toric lens is made to help with a vision problem called astigmatism, where the eye’s shape causes blurry or distorted vision. A Toric lens is used to replace the cloudy lens and fix astigmatism at the same time. Unlike regular lenses, Toric lenses have extra power and special markers to correct astigmatism and make vision clearer for people with this issue. Choosing a Toric lens can mean you might not need to wear glasses or contacts to fix astigmatism after lens replacement surgery.

How It Works

Cataracts are cloudy patches that can form on the clear lens at the front of your eye as you get older. They make it harder to see clearly. Cataract surgery is a common treatment for this condition. During the eye surgery, the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial one.

Reasons for undergoing a Cataract Surgery

Cataracts can gradually worsen over time, affecting your vision more as you age. When cataracts start to interfere with your daily life and the things you enjoy, your doctor or eye specialist might suggest cataract-removal surgery. You can also choose different lenses to help improve your vision after the surgery.

How is Cataract Surgery performed?

Before the surgery, a thorough eye examination is conducted to assess the cataract’s severity and determine the appropriate lens for replacement. Patients may receive local anaesthesia and a sedative to ensure comfort and relaxation during the procedure.

During Surgery

A small cut is made in the eye to get to the cloudy lens. The cloudy lens is broken into tiny pieces using sound or laser technology to make it easier to remove. Then, a fake lens is put in place of the natural one to bring back clear vision. The small cut usually heals by itself and doesn’t need stitches.

After Surgery

After your surgery, you’ll rest for a short time in a special area. Your vision might get better right away, or it could take a few days. You’ll also use eye drops to keep your eyes safe from infection and help them heal.

Recovery

You can usually go home on the same day after your surgery. You’ll likely get better quickly, and most people go back to their regular activities in a few days. You’ll have follow-up appointments to check how you’re doing and make any needed changes to your care.

How to book your Cataract Surgery?

Once you’ve decided to have the surgery, here’s what you need to do:

• Obtain a quote for the surgery and decide where you want to get the treatment.
• Choose the consultant who will perform the surgery.
• Select a date and time that is convenient for you.
• Follow any pre-surgery instructions provided by the medical team.

How to pay for your Cataract Surgery?

Many individuals are eligible for free cataract surgery through the NHS. If you prefer, you also have the option to pay for it as a private patient.

Private Medical Insurance

Normally under your health insurance plan your treatments are covered.  Check your policy to see if it covers the operation and includes follow-up visits. If you had eye problems before, your insurance might not cover it, so make sure to check.

Medical Loan

If you can’t pay all at once, many hospitals work with finance companies. They offer different plans, often with no interest. You can pay a bit every month to cover your cataract surgery costs.

Self-payment

If you have a lump sum of cash, the easiest option is self-payment. Initially, you pay a deposit, and the remaining amount must be cleared after the surgery.

How Can We Help?

At PremierPMI, our health insurance experts are here for you. We check if your health conditions are covered and search for the best quote in the market. If you already have health insurance, we guide you through the claiming process for your cataract surgery, making sure you get the most out of your cover. Trust us to simplify your health insurance journey and ensure you’re well taken care of.

Stuart Hendy, Senior PMI Advisor &Editor

Stuart Hendy is a highly experienced health insurance broker with extensive knowledge of private medical insurance and private treatment. His expertise is frequently sought by industry professionals and his insights have been featured in leading financial publications. Stuart is committed to providing his clients with the best possible healthcare solutions and empowering them to make informed decisions.

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