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Cataract assessment in London, the diagnostic tests that plan your IOL: biometry, macular OCT and refraction.

A private diagnostic workup for cataract in London. IOLMaster or Lenstar biometry, macular OCT, refraction and topography are the tests that decide whether cataract surgery is right for you and, if it is, which intraocular lens (IOL) suits your eye: monofocal, toric, multifocal or extended depth-of-focus.

A consultant ophthalmic surgeon performing cataract surgery in a private London clinic

Indicative pricing

What private cataract surgery costs in London.

Indicative ranges across UK private providers.

In short

£2,400–£3,500 per eye, with same-day discharge.

Procedure Indicative range
Standard cataract surgery - monofocal IOL £2,400–£3,500
Toric IOL (astigmatism correction) £2,800–£4,200
Multifocal or EDOF IOL £3,500–£5,500
Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery £3,800–£6,000
Combined cataract + MIGS (glaucoma) £4,000–£6,500
YAG capsulotomy (posterior capsule opacification) £400–£900

Prices vary by clinic, IOL choice (monofocal, toric, multifocal, EDOF) and whether femtosecond laser assistance is added.

The problem

Cataract surgery is only as good as the surgeon and the lens choice.

The refractive outcome is planned before the operation starts - with biometry, IOL choice and surgeon volume. We route you to a high-volume consultant ophthalmic surgeon, not a generalist.

  • Coexisting glaucoma or astigmatism?

    We plan combined MIGS or toric IOLs so both are addressed in a single anaesthetic.

The journey

From consultation to clear vision - what happens, in order.

One consultant surgeon from first consultation through to post-op follow-up.

  1. 01

    Before

    Ophthalmology consultation

    A consultant ophthalmologist reviews symptoms, examines the lens and confirms whether cataract surgery is the right step.

  2. 02

    Before

    Pre-op biometry and refraction

    IOLMaster or Lenstar measurements plan the exact IOL power for your eye.

  3. 03

    Before

    IOL choice discussion

    Monofocal, toric or multifocal - we talk through spectacle independence, night-driving trade-offs and cost.

  4. 04

    On the day

    Dilating and anaesthetic drops on day

    Topical or peribulbar local anaesthesia - no general anaesthetic needed for most patients.

  5. 05

    On the day

    15–20 minute phacoemulsification

    A small corneal incision, ultrasound removal of the cloudy lens and implantation of your personalised IOL.

  6. 06

    On the day

    Discharge same day with eye shield

    You go home within an hour or two, wearing a protective shield over the operated eye.

  7. 07

    After

    Post-op drops and follow-up at 1 week

    Antibiotic and steroid drops for four weeks, with a 1-week review - most patients see well the next day.

Typical first eye to clear vision: 1–7 days. Second eye: 2–4 weeks later.

What it covers

The techniques and lens choices that shape your outcome.

Cataract surgery is standardised, but the IOL and technique are personalised. These are the options your surgeon will discuss.

  • Phacoemulsification with IOL implantation

    The modern day-case operation - ultrasound removes the cloudy lens and an intraocular lens takes its place.

  • Monofocal IOL (distance vision, glasses for reading)

    A single fixed focal point - the standard, most predictable choice.

  • Toric IOL (corrects astigmatism)

    Custom-oriented lens that corrects corneal astigmatism at the same operation.

  • Multifocal IOL (glasses-free vision)

    Distance, intermediate and near vision from a single implant - with defined night-vision trade-offs.

  • Extended depth-of-focus IOL (intermediate + distance)

    EDOF lenses give a continuous range of vision with fewer haloes than classic multifocals.

  • Femtosecond laser-assisted surgery

    A femtosecond laser performs the corneal incisions, capsulotomy and lens fragmentation with sub-millimetre precision.

  • Combined trabeculectomy / MIGS

    Cataract surgery combined with a glaucoma procedure in a single anaesthetic when both are indicated.

  • Red flag: sudden painful red eye + reduced vision post-op - same-day ophthalmology (endophthalmitis)

    Do not wait. Post-op pain with reduced vision needs same-day ophthalmology review.

Next steps

After surgery - what happens next.

The plan from operating theatre to full recovery, and the fall-back options if refraction or the posterior capsule needs a second look.

  • Post-op dexamethasone + antibiotic drops

    A standardised drop regimen for four weeks to prevent infection and control inflammation.

  • Sunglasses and eye shield at night for 1 week

    Protects the healing cornea and reduces light sensitivity in the first week.

  • Avoid heavy lifting for 2 weeks

    No lifting above shoulder height and no swimming until your surgeon confirms healing.

  • Second-eye surgery at 2–4 weeks

    Sequential bilateral surgery - the fellow eye is typically operated 2–4 weeks later.

  • YAG capsulotomy for PCO

    A quick outpatient laser for posterior capsule opacification if vision blurs months or years later.

  • Refractive top-up (LASIK / PRK)

    A small refractive procedure if residual short- or long-sightedness remains after healing.

  • Structured post-op follow-up

    1-day, 1-week and 4-week reviews to check pressure, refraction and healing.

  • Multi-disciplinary team review for complications

    Retinal, glaucoma and corneal colleagues on hand if any complication needs escalation.

Safety and red flags

One of the most predictable operations in medicine.

Cataract surgery is exceptionally safe and effective - the practical points are the known trade-offs, the small chance of complications, and the red flags that need same-day ophthalmology.

  • Day-case under local anaesthesia

    Topical or peribulbar block - no general anaesthetic for the vast majority of patients.

  • Endophthalmitis is rare but urgent

    Post-op infection is roughly 1 in 1,000 - sudden pain with reduced vision needs same-day ophthalmology.

  • Posterior capsule rupture

    A recognised intra-operative complication - most cases are managed successfully at the same sitting.

  • Refractive outcome is a target, not a promise

    Biometry aims for your chosen refraction - a small residual error is common and correctable.

  • Multifocal night-vision trade-offs

    Haloes and glare are a known trade-off with multifocal IOLs and improve for most patients over months.

  • YAG capsulotomy may be needed later

    Posterior capsule opacification affects up to 20% of patients and is treated with a quick laser.

  • Bring prior imaging and refraction records

    Previous refractive surgery, retinal scans and glasses prescriptions materially sharpen IOL planning.

  • Second-eye surgery is usually staged

    The fellow eye is normally operated 2–4 weeks after the first - same-day bilateral is less common in the UK.

Recognised complications to be aware of

  • Endophthalmitis (post-op)
  • Posterior capsule rupture with vitreous loss
  • Retinal detachment
  • Corneal decompensation
  • Cystoid macular oedema
  • IOL dislocation
  • Toxic anterior segment syndrome
  • Persistent uveitis
  • IOL power calculation error post-refractive surgery

Reading your operation note

A cataract operation note can look technical. It isn’t.

Whatever the details, the note keeps to the same four parts.

A consultant ophthalmic surgeon reviewing biometry and cataract surgery planning on a clinical workstation, London

A quiet reminder

The note is written for your optometrist and GP, not for you - and that’s normal.

If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Indication and ocular history

    Your details, the reason for surgery, and the ocular history that shapes IOL choice.

  2. 02 Technique

    Biometry, IOL and anaesthetic

    Which biometry device, which IOL model and power, and the anaesthetic technique used.

  3. 03 Findings

    Intra-operative course and IOL placement

    Description of the phacoemulsification, capsulotomy, IOL implantation and any complications.

  4. 04 Impression

    Post-op plan: read this first

    Refractive target, drop regimen, activity advice and follow-up schedule - read this first.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about cataract surgery.

Quick answers on cost, IOL choice, referrals, recovery and when to seek urgent help.

  • What does cataract surgery involve?

    A day-case operation under local anaesthesia in which the cloudy natural lens is removed by ultrasound (phacoemulsification) through a small corneal incision, and an intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted in its place. Each eye takes about 15 minutes and you go home the same day.

  • What IOL should I choose - monofocal, toric or multifocal?

    Monofocal gives excellent distance vision with reading glasses. Toric corrects astigmatism. Multifocal or EDOF lenses aim for spectacle independence but carry night-vision trade-offs. Your surgeon will match the lens to your eye, lifestyle and expectations.

  • How much does private cataract surgery cost in London?

    Toric, multifocal, EDOF or femtosecond laser-assisted surgery adds cost.

  • Do I need a referral?

    Most clinics accept self-referral for cataract surgery.

  • How quickly will I see well after surgery?

    Over 95% of patients see well the next day. Full refractive stabilisation and final glasses prescription typically take 4–6 weeks.

  • When should I seek urgent help after cataract surgery?

    A sudden painful red eye with reduced vision after cataract surgery is a red flag for endophthalmitis - call your surgeon or attend an eye A&E the same day.

Sources

Published 2026-07-30 · Next review 2027-07-30 · 7 min read

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In practice, in London

Getting cataract surgery sorted in London, without the guesswork

With cataract surgery, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it - not whether the scan is available. Public provision for cataract surgery is competent but constrained by capacity. Private London clinics tend to have shorter diaries and longer appointment slots, so you get the same specialists with more time. For people who’ve been going round in circles with primary care, that first proper conversation is often what shifts things.

A private cataract surgery pathway in London usually looks like this: an initial consultation, any diagnostics booked at a nearby facility (most within Zone 1 or 2), and a written report sent to you and your GP within a few days. The consultants we work with hold NHS posts alongside their private lists, which keeps the standards consistent across both settings. For cataract surgery specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.

Fit matters more than people expect. For cataract surgery, the right consultant depends on what you actually need - a second opinion, a definitive diagnosis, a bridge into treatment, or reassurance that nothing’s being missed. If a test isn’t the right next step, we’ll say so before you book anything.