How much does private cataract surgery cost in the UK?

Private cataract surgery in the UK typically costs £1,750–£4,500, with a typical price around £2,700. Prices vary by hospital group, surgeon experience, and what's included (anaesthesia, follow-ups, physiotherapy). Spire Healthcare, Nuffield Health, Circle Health Group, Ramsay Health Care UK, and HCA Healthcare are the main private hospital groups offering this procedure.

How long is the NHS wait for cataract surgery in the UK?

The current median NHS wait for cataract surgery (within the Ophthalmology specialty) in England is approximately 10 weeks. The 92nd percentile (long-tail) wait can extend to 32 weeks. Waits vary significantly by NHS trust — see the city breakdowns below for local figures.

Can I switch from NHS to private for cataract surgery?

Yes. You can self-fund or use private health insurance to access cataract surgery privately while remaining on the NHS waiting list. Many patients do this to avoid the long wait. Some private hospitals offer consultation packages where you can be assessed within days. You will not lose your NHS place by getting a private opinion or treatment.

Which cities have the shortest NHS waits for cataract surgery?

Based on the latest NHS England RTT data, the UK cities with the shortest median waits for ophthalmology (the specialty covering cataract surgery) include Bristol (4 weeks), Liverpool (4 weeks), Leeds (7 weeks), Sunderland (7 weeks), Newcastle upon Tyne (7 weeks). See the full city table below.

Is cataract surgery covered by private health insurance?

Most major UK health insurers (Bupa, AXA, Vitality, Aviva, WPA) cover cataract surgery on standard policies, subject to underwriting and policy terms. Pre-existing conditions are typically excluded. Always confirm coverage with your insurer before scheduling.

Cataract surgery cost UK: private from £1,750

Removal of a cloudy lens and replacement with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). Private treatment typically costs £1,750–£4,500. The current NHS median wait is around 10 weeks.

Private cost (typical)

£2,700

Range £1,750–£4,500

NHS median wait (England)

10 weeks

Specialty: Ophthalmology

Long-tail wait (92nd percentile)

32 weeks

209,918 patients waiting

According to TreatCompare analysis of NHS England RTT data, the current national median NHS wait for cataract surgery is approximately 10 weeks, while the 92nd percentile wait is approximately 32 weeks.

According to TreatCompare analysis of published UK private hospital prices, private cataract surgery typically costs £1,750-£4,500, with a typical price around £2,700.

According to TreatCompare analysis, users comparing cataract surgery should check local NHS wait by city or postcode before deciding whether private self-pay, insurance or staying on the NHS list is the better route.

TreatCompare NHS wait and private price model. NHS data month: Mar 2026.

Important context

NHS waiting-time figures are published at trust or specialty level and private prices are indicative ranges. Local eligibility, referral route, clinical urgency, provider package and insurance status can change the real-world choice. TreatCompare is for comparison only and is not medical, legal or financial advice.

Source type: Official NHS waiting-time data and private price model
Primary source: NHS England Referral to Treatment waiting-time data
Reporting period: Mar 2026
Last updated: 2026-05-22
Figure type: Mixed sources
Use: Research and comparison only

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Compare your route

Choose the right cataract surgery comparison route

People often start with the national price, then drill into a city, postcode area or referral route. These links keep that path visible from the top of the page.

Finance options

National overviewCurrentPrivate from £1,750 with NHS waits across England.Bristol city pageA local NHS wait page with trust context and private price range.Postcode area pagesStart with a postcode area and move into outcode-level pages.Private GP referralCheck same-day GP and referral options before contacting hospitals.All NHS vs privateCompare other procedures if the patient is still researching options.

Decision paths

Compare cataract surgery waits, prices and next actions

These pages are most useful when visitors move from the national benchmark into a local wait, private price range, referral route or price-update action.

Check NHS wait in your areaStart with Bristol, then compare other cities.See private price rangePrivate from £1,750 to £4,500.Use postcode pagesMove from postcode area to outcode-level NHS wait context.Compare referral routesPrivate GP and referral-letter options before contacting hospitals.Submit a price updateSend a hospital quote or updated provider fee.Ask for verificationRequest editorial or reviewer checking for this page.

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Compare eyecare prices on TreatCompare

We track live private prices for this treatment from verified UK providers.

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NHS wait by city — fastest first

City	Median wait	Compare locally
Bristol	4 weeks	See Bristol →
Liverpool	4 weeks	See Liverpool →
Leeds	7 weeks	See Leeds →
Sunderland	7 weeks	See Sunderland →
Newcastle upon Tyne	7 weeks	See Newcastle upon Tyne →
Middlesbrough	9 weeks	See Middlesbrough →
London	9 weeks	See London →
Reading	9 weeks	See Reading →
Southampton	9 weeks	See Southampton →
Bradford	9 weeks	See Bradford →
Plymouth	10 weeks	See Plymouth →
Preston	10 weeks	See Preston →
Sheffield	10 weeks	See Sheffield →
Cambridge	10 weeks	See Cambridge →
Brighton	10 weeks	See Brighton →
Birmingham	10 weeks	See Birmingham →
Norwich	11 weeks	See Norwich →
Nottingham	11 weeks	See Nottingham →
Leicester	11 weeks	See Leicester →
York	11 weeks	See York →
Derby	12 weeks	See Derby →
Hull	12 weeks	See Hull →
Blackpool	13 weeks	See Blackpool →
Portsmouth	13 weeks	See Portsmouth →
Exeter	13 weeks	See Exeter →
Stoke-on-Trent	14 weeks	See Stoke-on-Trent →
Manchester	15 weeks	See Manchester →
Oxford	15 weeks	See Oxford →
Coventry	16 weeks	See Coventry →
Milton Keynes	18 weeks	See Milton Keynes →

Looking for cataract surgery waits by postcode?

We also publish wait times by postcode area, mapped to the NHS trust most likely to accept your GP referral.

See cataract surgery by postcode area →

All English cities

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