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Tailored cataract plan designed just for you.
Cataract surgery is a quick and effective procedure to restore clear vision. It involves making a tiny incision in the eye to remove the cloudy natural lens, which is then replaced with a clear, artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). Without this lens, your vision would remain significantly blurred.
The replacement lens is designed to last a lifetime, making cataract surgery a permanent solution. The procedure is carried out using local anaesthetic eye drops, so you’ll remain awake but feel no pain or discomfort.
At Optegra, we offer a choice of standard and advanced cataract surgery options, allowing you to select the treatment that best suits your vision goals and lifestyle. Your clinical team will take the time to understand your lifestyle and visual expectations before recommending the most suitable option. Whatever you choose, you can be confident in the quality of care you’ll receive.
*Actual results may vary.
Cloudy vision
Clearer vision
Cloudy vision
Clearer vision
At Optegra, cataract surgery is carried out by expert consultant surgeons using advanced microsurgical techniques. The procedure is quick, typically lasting around 20 minutes, and is performed under local anaesthetic eye drops, so you’ll be comfortable throughout.
Once your eye is numbed, a tiny incision is made in the surface of the eye. Through this opening, your surgeon uses a fine ultrasound probe to gently break up the cloudy lens before removing it. A clear, artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is then inserted in its place. This new lens is designed to stay in position permanently and restore clear vision.
The incision is so small that it usually heals naturally without the need for stitches. You’ll be able to go home the same day.
Anaesthetic eye drops applied to ensure a pain-free procedure
Small incision made at the base of the cornea for surgical access
The front of the lens capsule is removed
The clouded lens is ultrasonically broken up and removed
The IOL is inserted and positioned within the lens capsule
Optegra is a great place to come for cataract surgery because we combine therapeutic procedure with a refractive procedure to restore vision but also impart spectacular independence.Dr Amir Hamid
Chief Medical Officer & Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Cataracts are usually diagnosed by your GP or optician after you’ve noticed your vision becoming blurred, cloudy or gradually worsening.
If you’ve been diagnosed and want to explore treatment without delay, Optegra is here to help. The referral process depends on how you choose to receive care. Once you’ve received a cataract diagnosis from your optician or GP, you have two main referral options to access treatment with Optegra:
NHS Cataract Surgery
If you’re eligible for NHS treatment, your optician or GP can refer you directly to Optegra. With our dedicated NHS clinics, we’re often able to offer treatment within 4 to 6 weeks, which is significantly faster than many standard NHS wait times. You’ll receive high-quality care from our experienced clinical team in a calm, specialist setting.
Private Cataract Surgery
If you prefer to be seen even sooner or want access to a wider range of premium lens options, you can choose private treatment. No referral is needed. Simply contact us directly to book a free consultation. We can typically arrange surgery within just a couple of weeks.
No matter which route you choose, we’ll guide you through every step and ensure you feel confident and supported in your care journey.
If you’re considering cataract surgery, our guide explains the key differences between NHS and private treatment so you can make the choice that’s right for you.
We offer a range of different cataract treatment options, and the most suitable approach will be discussed with you by your consultant after a thorough assessment at one of our clinics.
Your recommended treatment will depend on the level of vision correction needed and your lifestyle goals:
Standard cataract treatment uses a high-quality monofocal lens to replace the cloudy natural lens. It is designed to restore clear distance vision, which means you will likely still need glasses for reading or other close-up tasks. This treatment is commonly offered through the NHS and provides a straightforward, trusted way to improve your vision. On the NHS, cataract surgery is carried out on one eye at a time, with 6-12 weeks wait time in between, to allow each eye to heal properly. If you choose private treatment at Optegra, we can often treat both eyes on the same day. This means fewer visits and a quicker recovery, so you can get back to enjoying clearer sight sooner.
For patients with astigmatism, we offer toric lenses as part of our enhanced treatment. Astigmatism can cause blurred or distorted vision at all distances. A toric lens corrects both the cataract and the astigmatism in a single procedure, providing sharper vision without the need for additional glasses for distance. Reading glasses may still be required.
Our most comprehensive option uses a multifocal lens, which is designed to improve vision at a range of distances – near, intermediate and far. This advanced lens aims to significantly reduce or even eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses altogether. It’s ideal for patients who want greater visual freedom and fewer limitations in their daily activities, such as reading, driving and using digital devices.
*Actual results may vary.
We believe in being transparent, which is why we provide clear, upfront pricing for all our cataract surgery options. Your consultant will recommend the most suitable treatment based on your personal needs during your free initial consultation. To make private cataract surgery more accessible, we also offer a range of flexible payment options, including up to 24 months interest-free.
Our indicative price range is below:
Cataract surgery with monofocal lens
Cataract & astigmatism treatment with a toric lens
The most advanced cataract surgery using a multifocal lens
For further information, please view our cataract surgery costs page.
Get treated by world renowned, top trained surgeons
Can have surgery without the need for a referral
Access advanced treatments not available on the NHS
Most patients can have bilateral sequential surgery (get both eyes treated on the same day, otherwise it is only a week's wait to get the second eye treated)
Treatment to have freedom from glasses in addition to vision restoration post cataract surgery
Highly affordable 0% finance options
Best in class aftercare for up to 12 months*
Additional complimentary vision refinement treatments included*
Free initial consultation worth £300
*on certain treatment packages.
There are no non-surgical treatments for cataracts. The only option to restore sight when affected by cataracts is to remove and replace the clouded natural lens with cataract surgery.
When is surgery necessary?
A cataract doesn’t always need to be removed simply because it is present. If your cataract has no real impact on day-to-day life, then it is not recommended to have cataract surgery unless the impact on vision worsens.
Considering Surgery
Unlike laser eye surgery, cataract removal on the NHS is not an elective procedure and should only be carried out if deemed necessary by you and your surgeon. For example, if reading has become difficult, driving is impossible, or quality of life is impaired. These are all reasons for considering having cataract surgery.
Your Decision
It’s important to realise that it is always you, the patient, who has the final say about whether you have cataract surgery. Our world class surgeons can help you understand what is involved and can advise you on the best way forward, but it is always entirely your choice.
Learn more about who qualifies for cataract surgery.
At Optegra, your care is led by some of the most respected cataract surgery consultants in the UK. All of our surgeons are NHS-trained and highly experienced, with thousands of successful procedures carried out.
Many are also Fellows of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists or equivalent international bodies, reflecting their commitment to the highest standards of clinical excellence.
Our consultants take the time to understand your individual needs and will guide you through your treatment with clarity and compassion, so you can feel confident at every stage of your journey.
If you are having private treatment in both eyes, we can usually treat both on the same day to reduce the inconvenience of you arranging two sets of hospital visits. If for any reason this is not an option, your consultant will explain, and in this circumstance, the wait is usually one week before having a procedure on the second eye.
If you are having treatment on the NHS, treatment for both eyes can usually take between 6-12 weeks.
Cataract surgery typically takes between 8-20 minutes per eye, with no need to stay overnight following the procedure. Your sight will begin to return a few hours after the procedure, as you head off to recover in the comfort of your own home.
After your cataract surgery, your vision will be blurry at first, and you will be asked to wear a protective eye shield. Your sight should return a few hours after the operation, and your vision should improve quickly over the next week or two, reaching its optimum at 4-6 weeks.
The operation itself is pain-free. You will be awake during the procedure; however, we will use a local anaesthetic to numb the eye and the area surrounding it. Afterwards, you may experience gritty eyes and mild discomfort, which is normal. This should disappear in just one or two days.
Most NHS patients will continue to wear contact lenses or glasses after their cataract treatment. However, we offer refractive cataract surgery which uses advanced technology lenses that could correct long or short-sightedness. This surgery could help you eliminate or reduce your dependence on glasses at the same time as removing your cataract.
It is normal to have grittiness, watering, blurred/double vision or a bloodshot eye following the procedure. Mild light sensitivity is also normal. These symptoms usually improve after a few days but it can take 4-6 weeks to fully recover.
Though your eyes are open during the procedure, you won’t actually see the surgery happen. Many patients report seeing colours during their surgery and describe it as a pleasant experience.
Most cataract patients can return to work after around three days. If you work in a dusty or smoky environment or your job involves heavy lifting or bending down, it is recommended to delay returning to work by two weeks.
For our private cataract surgery patients we provide patients with goggles after surgery, which are more comfortable to wear. You should keep this on until the next morning. If advised, ensure to wear while sleeping for 7 nights. You should also wear sunglasses outside for the first week after surgery and wearing sunglasses outdoors is good practice in the weeks following this.
As cataract surgery is done quickly and only to a small area, patients are usually awake during the procedure. Anaesthetic makes the procedure painless but if you are very anxious you can request a mild sedative to help you relax. If you require general anaesthetic your surgeon will guide you about this and provide an onward referral.
It is possible to undergo a cataract procedure if you have previously had laser eye surgery. Having had laser treatment can make lens calculations more complex, but we take several steps to optimise the outcomes after laser eye surgery. It is now possible to get much closer to the highly accurate calculation results seen in people who have never had laser eye surgery. This assures you of the best chance of the excellent outcome you deserve.
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as paracetamol, may be taken during the first few days of recovery if necessary.
No, once a cataract has been removed it cannot return to the same eye. The artificial lens which replaces your eye’s natural lens in surgery provides you with clear vision after the treatment.
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Dr Alastair Stuart is Medical Director at Optegra, and has extensive experience in both Laser eye surgery and Cataract Surgery.
Medically Reviewed Date: 2nd October 2025
