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    Book Your FREE Video or Telephone Consultation

    Daily appointments available from the convenience of your own home.
    Private Treatments Only.
    NHS queries 0207 509 4186

    Or Request a call back

    Arrange a callback

      Read our terms & conditions. Read our privacy policy

      Please note – by providing these details, you agree that we can contact you via these methods.

      or Book Online
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      Your Journey to Clearer Vision

      Free Virtual Consultation

      No-obligation video or telephone call with our expert team to establish treatment suitability.

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      Free face-to-face assessment

      Advanced and comprehensive diagnostic tests to determine your ideal treatment.

      Treatment tailored to you

      Tailored cataract plan designed just for you.

      What is Lens Replacement?

      Lens replacement surgery (also called Refractive Lens Exchange, or RLE) is a sophisticated development of cataract surgery, one of the world’s most frequently performed surgical procedures. The natural lens of the eye is permanently replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) and typically takes 20 minutes per eye.

      Lens replacement surgery is a safe and permanent way to correct both short-sightedness or long-sightedness, and prevent or remove cataracts.

      Our Lens Replacement Options

      Monofocal Lens Exchange Multifocal Lens Replacement
      Minimal discomfort Corrects vision at multiple distances
      Quick recovery time Convenient for an active lifestyle
      Immediate vision improvement Advanced visual freedom
      Denise Welch

      Actress & TV Personality – Loose Women, Hollyoaks & Coronation Street

      I highly recommend it, I honestly had no reservations about having it done. The private suite in Manchester is so relaxing and comfortable, and the team put me at ease and were so welcoming and informative. You may feel slightly nervous on the day which is natural, but it is the most painless procedure, it is a fast process, you feel nothing and it is life changing!

      How Your Surgery is Performed

      1. Your Consultant Ophthalmic Lens Surgeon will choose a lens customised to your vision and lifestyle needs. This artificial replacement lens could provide the benefit of being able to focus on near, intermediate, and far objects, as previously provided by glasses or contact lenses. It can even correct astigmatism.
      2. The lens replacement surgery itself takes no more than 10 minutes per eye, but you’ll have to rest about 30 minutes to an hour immediately after the procedure. Your eye will be anaesthetised with numbing drops, so you will feel no pain. The discomfort and grogginess will gradually disappear while the anaesthesia is wearing off.
      3. The success rate is very high. Lens replacement surgery is safe and life-changing for millions of patients who have this successful procedure every year. All surgeries have some degree of risk, which is why you should discuss your procedure in detail with your eye surgeon. The risks of lens replacement surgery are low and complications are rare, and can be further mitigated by choosing a high-quality lens replacement provider.
      RLE step 1 - anaesthetic eye drops applied to ensure a pain-free procedure

      Step 1

      Anaesthetic eye drops applied to ensure a pain-free procedure

      RLE step 2 - small incision made at the base of the cornea for surgical access

      Step 2

      Small incision made at the base of the cornea for surgical access

      RLE step 3 - the front of the lens capsule is removed

      Step 3

      The front of the lens capsule is removed

      RLE step 4 - the natural lens is ultrasonically broken up and removed

      Step 4

      The natural lens is ultrasonically broken up and removed

      RLE step 5 - the IOL is inserted and positioned within the lens capsule

      Step 5

      The IOL is inserted and positioned within the lens capsule

      Lens replacement costs & finance options

      While the lens replacement treatment suitable for you will be determined according to your personal needs during our free initial consultation, we offer one clear set price for the treatment you select. We also offer a range of helpful financing, including up to 24 months completely interest free. Our indicative price range is below:

      Monofocal Lens Exchange

      Standard lens replacement surgery with monofocal lens

      Cost £3,395 per eye

      Multifocal Lens Replacement Surgery

      The most common form of lens replacement surgery to lose your glasses

      Cost £3,995 per eye

      *Pricing for complex lens replacement may vary. Lens replacement surgery is not covered by the NHS as alternatives exist such as glasses or contact lenses. Finance options are available.

      Male optometrist examines a girl's eyes

      About our immaculate eye hospitals

      Optegra eye hospitals are dedicated only to eye surgery, eye treatments and eye care. Our services include laser eye surgery, lens replacement and cataract surgery and treatment for other medical eye conditions including age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma.

      Our hospitals and clinics provide a modern, calm and comfortable environment in which our patients can feel relaxed and well cared for through a patient-led, personalised treatment plan.

      As centres of eye excellence, we offer facilities with the most advanced surgical and technical equipment. Each location is staffed by a professional clinical team with leading NHS-trained Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeons who are all Fellows of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. The Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) at each hospital ensures compliance with the best clinical practice.

      With hospitals and clinics throughout the country, an Optegra Eye Hospital is never far away.

      Lens Replacement FAQs

      At Optegra we understand that everyone’s eye health needs are completely different. It is natural to feel nervous or hesitate before your lens replacement treatment, so here are the answers to the most asked questions about lens replacement surgery to help put you at ease.

      Yes. Refractive eye surgery is extremely safe when it is performed at one of our specialist eye hospitals by one of our world class, NHS-trained Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeons. Our technical and surgical equipment is the most advanced that is available and you can be assured that all of our facilities boast the utmost in professional standards and quality of care.

      When you choose Optegra for lens replacement surgery, you can be completely confident that you will be in safe, competent and knowledgeable hands.

      Lens replacement surgery is a permanent answer to vision problems such as presbyopia (the gradual loss of your eyes’ ability to focus on nearby objects), astigmatism (near vision and blurred distance) and cataracts, as well as long-sightedness (hyperopia) and short-sightedness (myopia).

      If you are completely dependent on glasses or daily or monthly contact lenses, refractive lens surgery can provide you with a life-long and life-changing solution to your current eyesight issues. Put simply, lens replacement is an investment in your future.

      The majority of people with astigmatism are born with it, but in some cases, it can develop later in life. Astigmatism is caused when the cornea or lens is, or becomes, irregularly shaped. People with astigmatism can suffer from symptoms including blurred vision, headaches, eye irritation and even nausea.

      The good news is that astigmatism can be treated with refractive lens surgery, such as LASIK or corrective lenses. Therefore if you’ve been diagnosed and you want to correct the issue, gain a new lease of life and say goodbye to unpleasant symptoms, you should book a free consultation with Optegra.

      Refractive eye surgery and LASIK are both surgical procedures that can improve your vision.

      In refractive lens surgery, the surgeon removes the natural lens inside of the eye and replaces it with a lens that corrects your prescription. LASIK is a corneal surface layer surgery; the surgeon uses lasers to create a flap in the cornea. The flap is lifted and the surgeon reshapes the cornea using lasers. The flap is then replaced and the cornea begins to repair itself.

      Most people return to work around 3 days after having lens replacement surgery, although, this will depend on the nature of your profession. Your vision will gradually improve over the first couple of weeks following our treatment. Providing you do not work in a dusty or smoky environment (which we recommend avoiding for around two weeks after the surgery), you should be able to go back to work after three days, or whenever your eye feels comfortable again.

      Yes. Many of our patients elect to have both eyes treated on the same day if they have been found to be suitable for this. Although in some circumstances your consultant may advise treating each eye separately.

      The lens replacement surgery procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and is painless. Afterwards, you may experience itching and mild discomfort; this is normal and should disappear in just one or two days.

      You won’t be able to drive after lens replacement surgery so you’ll need to make sure you plan your return home and we highly recommend you have someone accompany you. If you’re using public transport, we don’t advise taking the tube if you’re traveling through London.

      Your surgeon will need to give you the go ahead to be able to drive, which they will do in your aftercare assessment. Once they have given you the all clear you will be able to drive again. Normally, this only takes a couple of days although it can take up to a week.

      The lens used in the procedure can focus at different distances, which could give you clearer close up vision but not all patients will be able to stop wearing glasses or contact lenses for all tasks.

      Refractive eye surgery tends to be best suited to people who are over the age of 50 as this is when presbyopia normally develops. However if you are under 40 and you have a high prescription and have been diagnosed as someone who is unsuitable for laser eye surgery you may also be a good candidate for lens replacement.

      The Consultant Ophthalmic Lens Surgeon that you see at your free consultation will determine if lens replacement surgery is for you by carrying out a series of tests.

      Yes, but it may restrict the range of lenses available to you. Your Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon will discuss all your options at a free consultation.

      Yes, if you already have a cataract or the beginnings of one it will be removed during the procedure. Lens replacement surgery also prevents you from ever needing cataract surgery.

      During cataract surgery, the lens that has become cloudy is replaced with an artificial lens.

      Choosing the best implant for cataract surgery depends on your eye conditions. At your pre-operative appointment, the ophthalmologist will discuss the best options with you. The choice will depend on your vision, what glasses you usually use and whether you have a cataract in your other eye. The final choice of lens can usually be altered at any point up to your operation.

      Yes, we offer interest free finance for up to 24 months. Additional credit is also available beyond 24 months if required.

      Even on the day of the op I could tell there was a big improvement, my vision was considerably different. By day two it was pretty much bang on perfect, but over the next few weeks my eyesight has just got better and better, and now I can see brilliantly! It has actually changed my life and made it so much easier. It is night and day!
      Ricky Hatton, MBE

      Former Boxing Champion

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      Alastair Stuart, Medical Direct and Cataract & Refractive Surgeon at Optegra

      By Author: Alastair Stuart

      Dr Alastair Stuart is Medical Director at Optegra, and has extensive experience in both Laser eye surgery and Cataract Surgery.

      Medically Reviewed Date: 15th October 2025