How much does vitrectomy (retinal surgery) cost privately in the UK? (2026)

Private vitrectomy removes the vitreous gel from inside the eye to treat retinal detachment, macular holes, epiretinal membranes, bleeding or diabetic eye disease, and is performed by vitreoretinal surgeons.

We looked at the self-pay price lists several hospital groups make public. For vitrectomy (retinal surgery), the figures ran from £7,445, and the table gives each one with the hospital and the exact item named in its list.

A guide price can move after assessment, for example if your consultant recommends a different variant. Always ask for the final figure in writing before agreeing.

Through tiny cuts in the white of the eye, the surgeon removes the vitreous gel, treats the retina and often fills the eye with gas or oil to hold the retina in place. The operation can take an hour or more.

Ask whether gas or oil is planned, how long positioning is needed and what the price covers if a second operation becomes necessary.

Several things move the cost of vitrectomy (retinal surgery) up or down. These are the ones worth asking about first.

• Indication and complexity: a straightforward macular hole repair differs from detachment surgery or diabetic vitrectomy.

• Tamponade: gas or silicone oil placed in the eye affects recovery, and oil needs a second operation to remove.

• Hospital pricing: Nuffield Health Bristol lists vitrectomy at £7,445 among the prices we retrieved.

• Specialist theatre equipment and staff.

• Anaesthetic type and length of stay.

Quotes rarely list everything, so it helps to know what to look for. The table sets out typical inclusions and extras for this procedure.

Insurers usually cover vitrectomy for recognised retinal conditions, with authorisation.

If you are using insurance, get pre-authorisation in writing before treatment and ask which fees your policy limits could leave uncovered. If you are paying yourself, some hospital groups offer medical finance subject to status; check the rate, term and total repayable before agreeing.

Retinal detachment is treated urgently by the NHS, with surgery often within a day or two, so private surgery is more relevant for planned operations such as membrane peeling.

In England the NHS aims to start non-urgent consultant-led treatment within 18 weeks of referral, and patients can ask to be offered alternative providers if that is likely to be exceeded. Actual waits vary by trust and specialty.

Recovery may need positioning, such as face-down, if gas is used, and you cannot fly or travel to altitude until gas has gone; time off work may be weeks.

Few people need more than the planned care, but the cost position if they do is worth settling before treatment.

• Vitrectomy commonly leads to cataract within a couple of years, adding a later cost, and detachments can recur and need repeat surgery.

• A curtain, shadow or sudden floaters and flashes need urgent same-day eye assessment, not a booked appointment.

When you have two or three estimates, these questions help you see which is genuinely the better value.

• Which condition is being treated and what is the plan?

• Gas or oil, and is oil removal included?

• What happens if the retina detaches again?

• What does later cataract surgery cost?

• Are professional fees and hospital charges shown as separate lines, and is the total a firm figure or an estimate?