Concierge ophthalmology · UK
Private cataract surgery in London, delivered by a named consultant ophthalmic surgeon.
A consultant-led private treatment pathway in London for cataract. A 20-minute day-case operation to replace the cloudy natural lens with a clear artificial one, planned with honest lens counselling before the theatre date is set.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A consultant ophthalmic surgeon
A named consultant cataract surgeon performs the operation from start to finish - not a fellow, not a delegated theatre slot.
- 02
Honest lens choice
Monofocal, toric or multifocal - we explain trade-offs (halos, glare, near vision) before the upgrade discussion, not after payment.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic or lens maker, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What cataract surgery and its alternatives cost.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
Standard monofocal cataract surgery per eye: £2,500–£4,500, home the same hour.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cataract surgery - monofocal IOL (per eye) | £2,500–£4,500 | 20 min | Same day |
| Cataract surgery - toric IOL (per eye) | £3,500–£5,000 | 20 min | Same day |
| Cataract surgery - multifocal IOL (per eye) | £3,800–£5,500 | 20 min | Same day |
| Consultant cataract consultation | £250–£450 | 30 min | Same visit |
| Biometry (per eye) | £350–£550 | 20 min | Same visit |
| YAG capsulotomy (post-cataract cloud) | £450–£900 | 10 min LA | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by which consultant does the case, and by whether preoperative investigations are included or billed separately. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right lens, the right eye, the right expectations.
Modern cataract surgery is one of the safest, most life-changing operations in medicine. The value of a good consultation is choosing the right lens for your life - and being honest about the trade-offs.
-
Biometry first
A detailed biometry scan and OCT of the macula before any lens is chosen.
-
Honest lens counselling
Monofocal, toric and multifocal explained with real trade-offs.
-
Consultant-led theatre
The named consultant performs the operation - start to finish.
The journey
From enquiry to recovery - what happens, in order.
One consultant from first message to review, including the second eye and the four-week check.
Phase 1 · Before
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
Under a day at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us what you want to solve
A short, confidential form. What you can no longer do, whether you drive, and how you feel about glasses.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: the right consultant surgeon, likely lens options, and an indicative all-in price per eye.
- 03
Before
Biometry and consultation
A detailed biometry scan of each eye and a consultation with the surgeon to choose the lens.
- 04
On the day
Arrival and pre-op drops
Arrival, dilating and anaesthetic drops, and a short chat with surgeon and theatre team.
- 05
On the day
The operation itself
Around 20 minutes per eye in the theatre. You will see a bright light and colour patterns but no needles or pain.
- 06
On the day
Home the same hour
A short observation and a light meal, then home with a chaperone. Vision often improves within hours.
- 07
After
Reviews and second eye
Day-one and four-week reviews. Second eye usually done one to four weeks after the first.
End to end: Typical end-to-end: 1–3 weeks from enquiry to first eye. Second eye: 1–4 weeks later.
When it helps
When cataract surgery is the right step.
The situations that fit cataract surgery - and the red flag that means an urgent assessment first, not a booking.
-
Cloudy vision
A dulled, washed-out, foggy quality to vision that new glasses do not fix - the classic cataract history.
-
Glare and halos at night
Oncoming headlights bloom and streetlights halo - a common trigger for people who still drive at night.
-
Reading strain
Print looks washed and low-contrast - often the first thing patients notice, especially in poor light.
-
Reduced driving vision
DVLA number-plate test failed, or difficulty judging distance in poor light - a common trigger for surgery.
-
Colour shift
Yellows and whites look yellow-brown - often unnoticed until the first eye is done.
-
Refractive lens exchange
An older patient who wants to reduce dependence on glasses, without a visually significant cataract yet.
-
Interfering with hobbies
Golf, cycling, needlework or reading music - activities that need contrast and detail suffer first.
-
Red flag: sudden vision loss
Sudden vision loss, curtain over vision, or many new floaters and flashes is not cataract - needs same-day ophthalmology review.
Treatment options
Cataract surgery is one operation with several lens options.
What each lens type does - and which fits which pattern of prescription, lifestyle and expectation.
-
Monofocal IOL
A single-focus lens set for distance - sharp far vision, reading glasses for near. The most predictable choice.
-
Toric IOL
A monofocal lens with astigmatism correction built in.
-
Multifocal / EDOF IOL
Lenses that give a range of focus - distance and near - at the cost of some halo, glare and slight loss of contrast.
-
Blended vision (monovision)
One eye set for distance and the other set for near or intermediate.
-
Cataract surgery both eyes
Standard sequential surgery - usually one to four weeks between eyes.
-
YAG capsulotomy
A quick laser procedure months or years later, if the capsule behind the new lens clouds over.
-
Refractive lens exchange
The same operation done in an older patient without a visually significant cataract.
-
Consultation only
An honest discussion of whether surgery is needed at all - no obligation.
Our vetted network
A small panel of consultants, we picked them.
Consultant cataract surgeons across the UK with high annual volumes, audited outcomes and dedicated ophthalmic day-case theatres.
Selection criteria
How we choose every consultant in our network.
-
Consultant cataract surgeons with high annual volumes and audited outcomes
-
Operating in dedicated ophthalmic day-case theatres with modern phaco platforms
-
Full biometry (including IOLMaster or equivalent) and preoperative OCT
-
Honest lens counselling - trade-offs and unsuitability explained up front
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards - honestly.
Cataract surgery is one of the safest routine operations in modern medicine. The important things to plan are the drop schedule, the second eye, and - if you choose a multifocal lens - realistic expectations about halo and glare.
-
Topical anaesthetic only
Drops numb the eye - no injections, no sedation for most patients, no fasting.
-
Home the same hour
Discharge within an hour of the operation with a light shield to wear overnight.
-
Vision improves within days
Vision often improves within hours and continues to sharpen over the first week. Full stabilisation by four to six weeks.
-
Complication rate is low
Serious complications are rare - well under 1% in modern series.
-
Posterior capsule opacification
Around 20% of patients develop a cloudy film behind the new lens over months to years. A quick outpatient YAG laser sorts it.
-
Refractive surprise
A small residual prescription happens in a small minority. Options are glasses, contact lenses or LASIK enhancement.
-
Halos and glare - multifocal
Multifocal lenses give a real chance of glasses-free vision but usually cause some halo and glare, especially at night for the first six months.
-
Dry eye
Mild dry eye is common for a few weeks. Preservative-free tears sort out the great majority.
-
Red flags
Severe pain, sudden vision drop, redness with discharge, curtain over vision - call the on-call ophthalmologist the same day.
Reading your procedure note
Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever consultant does the procedure, the note you receive keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Clinical language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the note before your review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Eye treated and lens implanted
Which eye was operated, the intraocular lens type and power, and the target refraction.
- 02 Technique
Anaesthetic and phacoemulsification
The anaesthetic used, the incision size and phaco parameters, and how the lens was placed.
- 03 Findings
Any intraoperative findings
A short description of pupil size, capsule support, zonular integrity and any small events.
- 04 Impression
Expected recovery and review
Read this first: how vision should progress, drop schedule and when to review.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Most UK insurers cover monofocal cataract surgery once a clinical indication is documented. Lens upgrades are usually self-pay top-ups.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about cataract surgery.
Quick answers on pain, driving, lens choice, cost, insurance and YAG capsulotomy.
-
Is cataract surgery painful?
No. The eye is numbed with drops and you feel pressure and see a bright light and colour patterns during the 20-minute procedure. Some grittiness for a day afterwards is normal.
-
When can I drive again after cataract surgery?
Many patients meet the DVLA number-plate test within a few days. Formal advice is usually to wait until the surgeon confirms this at your review.
-
Monofocal, toric or multifocal - which lens should I choose?
Monofocal is the most predictable and gives sharp distance vision with reading glasses. Toric corrects astigmatism. Multifocal gives a range of focus with a real trade-off in halo and glare at night.
-
How much does private cataract surgery cost in the UK?
Monofocal cataract surgery is roughly £2,500 to £4,500 per eye. Toric is £3,500 to £5,000. Multifocal lenses are £3,800 to £5,500.
-
Is cataract surgery covered by health insurance?
Most UK insurers cover a standard monofocal cataract operation once a clinical indication is documented. Lens upgrades are usually self-pay top-ups.
-
What is a YAG capsulotomy?
A quick five- to ten-minute laser done in the outpatient clinic under drops, months or years after cataract surgery, if the capsule behind the new lens clouds over.
Related
Looking for something else?
-
ICL
Implantable contact lens for high prescriptions.
Learn more -
Presbyond
Blended-vision laser for reading with distance.
Learn more -
All tests & procedures
Every test and treatment we arrange.
Learn more -
Send Enquiry
Tell us what you want to solve - we come back within a working day.
Learn more -
Dry Eye Clinic
A related treatment guide.
Learn more -
SMILE Laser Eye Surgery
A related treatment guide.
Learn more -
Glaucoma
Related condition guide.
Learn more -
Macular Degeneration
Related condition guide.
Learn more
In practice, in the UK
Where private cataract surgery sits in a UK pathway
DVLA-borderline vision, night-driving glare, or a real drop in reading and hobbies - a private route means shorter waits and a consultant surgeon throughout.
A private cataract operation means the named consultant does the case, you get a real biometry and OCT before the lens is chosen, and both eyes are planned together.
Everything runs to CQC, GMC and Royal College standards; the choice is about consultant fit and which lens genuinely suits your life.