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
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 combined with mild sedatives will be administered to make the procedure as painless as possible.
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 £3090, which includes a standard lens and one post-operative appointment.
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.
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 are already a patient at Moorfields Private and have an enquiry, please contact your consultant’s practice manager.
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.
What would you like to ask us?
Cataract surgery consultants

Mr Daniel Gore
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Rajesh Deshmukh
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Nicholas Strouthidis
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Vincenzo Maurino
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Harry Petrushkin
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Ranjan Rajendram
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr George Voyatzis
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Aires Lobo
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Ian Murdoch
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Sajjad Ahmad
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Patrick Yu Wai Man
Consultant Ophthalmologist
Professor Adnan Tufail
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Andrew Scott
Consultant Ophthalmologist

Professor Narciss Okhravi
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Ms Laura de Benito-Llopis
Consultant Ophthalmologist

Mr Kamran Saha
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Professor James Bainbridge
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr George Saleh
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Romil Patel
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Julian Stevens
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Miss Louisa Wickham
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Miss Gillian Adams
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Mark Wilkins
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Chien Wong
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Amanjeet Sandhu
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Associate Professor Alex Day
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Professor David Garway-Heath
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Romesh Angunawela
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Luke Nicholson
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Parham Azarbod
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Miss Miriam Minihan
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Michael Miller
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Robert Henderson
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Jaheed Khan
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Miss Dawn Sim
Associate Professor

Miss Winifred Nolan
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Miss Linda Ficker
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Martin Watson
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Kuang Hu
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Professor David Gartry
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Miss Poornima Rai
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Eric Ezra
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Mahi Muqit
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Badrul Hussain
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Professor Mandeep Sagoo
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Professor Ananth Viswanathan
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Alexander Ionides
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Zubin Saihan
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Anant Sharma
Consultant ophthalmic surgeon (private practice in Bedford only)

Professor Frank Larkin
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr David Bessant
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Professor Gus Gazzard
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Keith Barton
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Bruce Allan
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Miss Sharmina Khan
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Professor Paul Foster
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Ms Alessandra Martins
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Mark Westcott
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr John Brookes
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Carlos Pavesio
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Saab Bhermi
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Hari Jayaram
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mr Anthony Khawaja
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Professor Lyndon Da Cruz
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Niaz Islam
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
News
View all news07.01.2021
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.
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.