Cataract surgery
Cataract treatment and vision correction
Cataract surgery
Cataract treatment and vision correction
Jill – “I’m cataract free with colour and clarity back in my life. I wish I’d done it sooner.” Find out more and how Jill became a more colourful connoisseur
Watch Denise talking about her experience of cataract surgery at Moorfields Private.
Page Contents
- What is a cataract?
- Do I need to have a cataract operation?
- Why choose Moorfields Private?
- Before your cataract treatment
- During eye cataract surgery
- Laser cataract surgery
- After cataract surgery
- The benefits of cataract surgery
- How much does cataract surgery cost and what is package pricing?
- What causes cataracts?
- Can cataracts come back?
- More information
What is a cataract?
A cataract is clouding or opacity of the lens inside the eye. It causes gradual blurring of vision and often glare. In a normal eye this lens is clear. It helps focus light rays onto the back of the eye (the retina), which sends messages to the brain allowing us to see. When a cataract develops, the lens becomes cloudy and prevents the light rays from passing onto the retina. The picture the retina receives becomes dull and fuzzy. A cataract usually forms slowly and most people experience a gradual blurring of vision.
Do I need to have a cataract operation?
Unfortunately, the cataract symptoms usually worsen over time and there are no medicines that are able to improve or slow down the effects of cataracts. If your cataract is mild, you can choose to avoid having cataract eye surgery and instead monitor it with regular check—ups. When the cataract progresses to the point that it is interfering with daily activities or lifestyle, even when using up-to-date glasses, then cataract surgery may be the next step. Modern surgery is highly successful for the majority of patients but, as with all surgery, there are cataract surgery risks which your consultant will discuss with you.
Why choose Moorfields Private?
Moorfields Private has a worldwide reputation for providing the highest quality treatment and care for patients seeking private cataract-surgery. All our surgeons hold accredited consultant positions at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, working at the very top of their profession. We pride ourselves on offering a service with complete continuity. At each visit, you will see the consultant surgeon of your choice who will supervise every aspect of our care from start to finish.
Before your cataract treatment
During your initial consultation, you will undergo eye tests and an optometrist will assess your eye prescription. A full medical history will also be taken to ensure you are suitable for treatment. Your consultant will discuss your lens preference with you, as well as informing you of any potential cataract surgery complications and agreeing on a personalised care plan. If you are happy to proceed, an appointment will then be booked for you, following a “cooling off’ period.
During eye cataract surgery
The most common cataracts treatment is a refractive lens exchange operation to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear artificial replacement. This treatment is quick, taking between 30-60 minutes, and can greatly improve vision. Anaesthetising eye drops will be administered to make the procedure as painless as possible.
Patients have the option of a sedation for the procedure. This requires the presence of a dedicated consultant anaesthetist throughout the surgery who administers a sedative medication and stays with the patient for the duration of the procedure to ensure that any problems with general health and wellbeing are recognised and dealt with immediately and appropriately. There is an additional cost for this, and it will be discussed with the patient at the initial consultation.
Laser cataract surgery
If you decide with your consultant surgeon to have laser cataract surgery (also know as femto-phako) your consultant will use femtosecond laser to partially breakdown the cataract. Removal of the cataract then proceeds as for conventional (non-laser) cataract surgery, with a clear artificial lens (intraocular lens implant or IOL), made of a plastic-like material, placed inside the eye. Current available evidence shows that both conventional and laser cataract surgery are as good as each other in terms of vision and safety.
Click here for further information about our laser cataract consultant surgeons
After cataract surgery
You will be given instructions for your cataract surgery aftercare following your operation, including information regarding follow-up appointments. Cataract surgery recovery times are different for every person. Usually, there is a fairly quick recovery time for cataract surgery, approximately 3-4 days. During your cataract surgery recovery, it is normal for your vision to take a few days to improve. Your eyes may additionally be sore, scratchy and light sensitive during this period. You will have both antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops to help with your cataract operation recovery, typically starting the day after surgery. Cataract surgery is performed on a day-care basis. This means you are admitted to hospital, have your operation and are discharged home all in the same day. Therefore, you should be able to return to work a few days after your operation, depending on your occupation. If you perform a job that is physically demanding, you may require a longer period of recovery. Your consultant will advise you appropriately. When it comes to cataracts and driving, you can drive after your operation once you vision meets the DVLA requirements. This normally takes 3-4 days. The DVLA standard is reading a number plate with both eyes open at 20.5 meters (approximately 25 strides). Your consultant can advise you at your follow-up appointment if your vision meets this standard.
The benefits of cataract surgery
Following surgery, you should be able to: - See things in focus -Look at lights without experiencing glare -Tell the difference between colours more easily If you need glasses after cataract surgery, your consultant will advise you to wait a few weeks after the operation before seeing your local optician to ensure the prescription has stabilized. Temporary off-the-shelf reading glasses generally work very well after cataract surgery.
How much does cataract surgery cost?
Fees for your initial consultation are charged at £225. Call us today and we can arrange an appointment with an appropriate consultant.
Once you have agreed a personalised plan with your consultant, the full costs of onward treatment per eye will be £2,920, which includes a standard lens and one post-operative appointment.
The package price includes anaesthetic eye drops and pain relief administered by the consultant. If medically required or if the patient chooses, an anaesthetist can be present to administer sedation. This incurs an additional cost of £350.
There may be circumstances where additional scans/tests are required that are outside the package price. This is rare and your consultant will discuss this with you if any additional tests are required.
For more information and to see details about our package pricing, please visit our dedicated cataract surgery cost page.
For cataract surgery (unilateral and bilateral), we offer interest free payment plans for over up to ten months, subject to a credit check and terms and conditions. No deposit is required. For more information, please speak to your consultant’s practice manager prior to your consultation.
What causes cataracts?
Most forms of cataract develop in adult life. The normal process of ageing causes the lens to harden and become cloudy. This is called an age-related cataract and it is the most common type. It can occur at any time after the age of 40. Although most cataracts are age-related, there are other types, including congenital (present at birth), drug induced (steroids), and traumatic (injury to the eye). Cataracts are also more common in people who have certain diseases such as diabetes.
Can cataracts come back?
Once the cloudy (cataractous) lens has been removed as part of cataract surgery, it doesn’t come back. However, the thin membrane behind the new lens implant (posterior capsule) may become opaque during the first few months of years after cataract surgery. This creates a filter-effect and can cause your vision to deteriorate. A simple laser treatment (YAG laser capsulotomy) can be performed in the out-patient clinic to clear this membrane and restore clear vision. Approximately 1 in 5 (20%) patients may benefit from YAG laser capsulotomy after cataract surgery. Your consultant will discuss whether this treatment is suitable for you.
More information
If you would like to know more about our services or book an appointment please call our New Patient Team.
If you have an enquiry, we are here to help you, please fill out the form below and we will get back to you shortly.
Cataract surgery consultants
Dr Hari Jayaram
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Josef Huemer
Consultant Ophthalmologist Surgeon
Mr Vincenzo Maurino
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Associate Professor Alex Day
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Parham Azarbod
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Professor David Gartry
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Luke Nicholson
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Avi Gurbaxani
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Daniel Gore
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Miss Miriam Minihan
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Amanjeet Sandhu
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Rajesh Deshmukh
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr George Saleh
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Professor Adnan Tufail
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Miss Panagiota Founti
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Ranjan Rajendram
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr John Brookes
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Professor Narciss Okhravi
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Robert Henderson
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Miss Su-yin Koay
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Harry Petrushkin
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Miss Eleni Nikita
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Sajjad Ahmad
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Professor James Bainbridge
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Ms Alessandra Martins
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Mark Westcott
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Professor Frank Larkin
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Ian Murdoch MBE
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr George Voyatzis
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Miss Louisa Wickham
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Professor Nicholas Strouthidis
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr David Bessant
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Alexander Ionides
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Ms Sharon Heng
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Professor Lyndon Da Cruz
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Professor Keith Barton
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Romil Patel
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Miss Winifred Nolan
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Badrul Hussain
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Zubin Saihan
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Alfonso Vasquez-Perez
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Jaheed Khan
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Miss Linda Ficker
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Professor Ananth Viswanathan
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Martin Watson
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Professor Anthony Khawaja
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr. James Tee
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Mahi Muqit
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Eric Ezra
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Kuang Hu
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Niaz Islam
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Professor Bruce Allan
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Professor Patrick Yu Wai Man
Consultant Ophthalmologist
Miss Sharmina Khan
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Professor Carlos Pavesio
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Kamran Saha
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Professor Paul Foster
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Professor Gus Gazzard
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Aires Lobo
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Miss Poornima Rai
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Andrew Scott
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Saab Bhermi
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
News
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05.01.2024
Paying for treatment
If you are covered by private medical insurance, please verify the details with your insurer prior to arrival and if possible, obtain a pre-authorisation number.
You don’t have to be insured to come to Moorfields Private. Many of our patients pay for their own treatment.
We offer payment plans via a 3rd party provider for the majority of cases within the following procedures:
- Laser eye surgery
- Refractive lens exchange (RLE)
- Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)
- Cataract surgery (unilateral and bilateral)
- Squint (Strabismus) surgery
- Glaucoma surgery
- Retinal examination under anaesthetic (City Road only)
- Photodynamic therapy (New Cavendish Street only)
You are able to apply for interest free payment plans for over up to ten months, subject to a credit check and Terms and Conditions. No deposit is required.
For more information please speak to your consultant’s practice manager prior to your consultation.
If a company, employer or other third party agrees to settle your account, they will be required to provide a letter of guarantee along with a deposit.