Costs, insurance and finance: straight answers for UK patients

Price is the question patients most often feel awkward asking. It should be the easiest one to answer, and in a well-run practice it is.

What does private eye surgery cost in the UK?

As a guide, laser vision correction generally starts from around £2,000 per eye, and lens replacement or private cataract surgery from around £2,750 per eye, rising with premium and toric implants. Our current fixed prices are published in full.

What should a quote include?

The surgeon's fee, the hospital or theatre fee, the specific lens or laser treatment, all pre-operative scans, all post-operative reviews, post-operative drops, the enhancement policy, and YAG capsulotomy if later needed. Get it in writing.

Why do prices vary so much between clinics?

Diagnostic depth, lens type, who performs the surgery, and how much follow-up is genuinely included. A cheaper price is not automatically worse — but you should be able to see exactly what has been left out.

Is it cheaper to do both eyes together?

Most providers price per eye with a modest reduction for the second. Beware of package pricing that obscures what each element costs.

Will private medical insurance pay?

Cataract surgery with a clinical indication is often covered by UK insurers, subject to your policy, excess and pre-authorisation. Purely refractive procedures — laser correction and lens replacement for spectacle freedom — are generally excluded. We provide the codes and documentation insurers require.

Can I use the NHS instead?

Yes, for cataract surgery meeting NHS thresholds, with a standard monofocal lens and no choice of surgeon or timing. Patients typically choose private care for earlier treatment, a named consultant and access to premium lenses.

Is finance available?

Interest-free and longer-term finance are widely available in UK private eye care. Compare the total payable, not the monthly figure, and check for arrangement fees and early settlement terms.

Do NHS and emergency service staff get a discount?

Blue Light Card holders — NHS, emergency services, social care, armed forces and teaching staff — receive a discount with us. Mention it when you book.

Are there hidden extras?

There should not be. The costs that most often surprise patients elsewhere are follow-up appointments, laser enhancements and YAG capsulotomy, so ask about all three specifically.

Is it worth it?

That is a personal judgement, but do the comparison honestly: twenty years of varifocals, prescription sunglasses and contact lenses is a substantial sum, paid invisibly in instalments, and it never removes a future cataract.

Ask us your own question

Every eye is different, and a general answer is never a substitute for your own scans. Ms Tahmina Pearsall is an NHS Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon with over 40,000 procedures performed, offering consultant-led private cataract surgery, lens replacement and laser eye surgery across 17 UK clinic locations. You can check current fixed prices, read patient reviews or book a consultation.

This article is general information written by a consultant ophthalmic surgeon and does not replace an individual examination.