To register your interest in our ‘Right to Sight’ package and being referred to Optegra please leave your details below:
To register your interest in our ‘Right to Sight’ package and being referred to Optegra please leave your details below:
The NHS is imposing mandatory minimum waiting times for cataract funded surgery. This means you could be waiting anywhere from 8 to 18 weeks minimum, depending on location, for your cataract surgery on the NHS.
At Optegra we believe everyone has the right to clear vision, so to combat the NHS waiting times which have been enforced, we’ve created a new package called ‘Right To Sight’. Whether it’s the freedom to drive, to read or simply appreciate the important things in life like family, we understand the importance of treating cataracts early and the potential impact of delaying treatment.
vs a minimum of 8-18 weeks on the NHS waitlist, location variances.
We only use premium, higher quality intermediate Johnson & Johnson lenses, offering improved vision to help you perform everyday tasks like using a computer, reading menus and driving with greater ease*.
We are the only UK provider to offer drop-free cataract surgery on the NHS, which significantly improves aftercare recovery and reduces risks of infections along with removing the inconvenience of daily eye drops.
Our priority cataract treatment costs just £1,200 per eye. And with our finance options you could even split that cost to just £45 a month^ – that’s the equivalent of just £1.50 a day.
*You may still need glasses to see closer and if you have notable astigmatism you may still need glasses for most tasks.
^Based on 0% Finance over 2 years with 10% deposit. Self-funded.
After cataract surgery, you will see through a new lens called an intraocular lens (IOL).
At Optegra, our standard lens for NHS cataract surgery patients is the Johnson & Johnson TECNIS Monofocal 1-piece IOL. This enables you to see clearly at one focal point, typically distance. Vision is free and clear of cataracts, but you will need glasses for certain tasks, e.g to focus on closer objects.
With ‘Right To Sight’, NHS patients at Optegra Birmingham can get access to an upgraded lens with the J&J TECNIS Eyhance IOL Lens. This is the breakthrough lens that gives the high-quality distance vision you expect from a monofocal, now with the addition of enhanced intermediate vision and better low-light contrast. You will still need glasses for near tasks, but you can engage in everyday activities with confidence.
The benefits of TECNIS Eyhance IOL
*You may still need glasses to see closer and if you have notable astigmatism you may still need glasses for most tasks.
*Actual results may vary.
Standard NHS cataract treatment
'Right to Sight' package
Standard NHS cataract treatment
'Right to Sight' package
Cataract makes vision increasingly blurred as time goes on and having to wait longer for surgery to restore sight is very disappointing. The consequences of a longer wait will have a greater impact on some people more than others, and our ‘Right To Sight’ package is an alternative option to NHS funded surgery.
If any of these scenarios apply to you, then our ‘Right To Sight’ package could be the perfect option.
This time I was able to have the steroid injection included in the surgery which eliminates the need for 4…
Amanda Page
The surgery on both eyes was quick and painless. And, as optegra now give ‘drop-less’ treatment there was…
Jean Spragg
First my left eye and was given drops for post op care, 4 weeks later my right eye was done but this time…
Mark
I would definitely recommend the drop-free surgery as it’s so convenient and hassle free without the drops…
Susan Wilson
Very short wait for NHS Cataract surgery, with excellent customer care and outstanding results.
Nigel Turner
Very happy with my new eyes. The staff at the Yorkshire clinic were very friendly and professional. I was…
Alison Lambert
On each of my four visits the service was exemplary from Reception to Pharmacy. A warm greeting, reassuring…
RJ
Efficient and friendly staff. Comfortable surroundings. No unnecessary waiting around. Successful cataract…
Lorretta
Brilliant service. Staff patient and friendly, took time to explain exactly what was happening at every…
Mrs Janice Smith
I was very happy with the care I received from Optegra. The process was seamless from start to finish and I'm…
Sam
From the moment I entered Optegra I felt looked after. I had the Cataract in my left eye operated on first…
A Smith
It is wonderful! I woke up the next morning and looked all my paintings on my bedroom wall – the colours…
Josie Munro
At Optegra, we’re making cataract recovery even easier for our NHS patients with drop-free cataract surgery.
With drop-free cataract surgery, you will not need to use eye drops after your operation. During surgery, your consultant places a tiny, slow-release medication inside the eye. This provides the same anti-inflammatory protection as a course of drops, so there is no need to remember daily doses for several weeks after surgery.
The procedure itself feels no different from regular cataract surgery. You will still receive numbing eye drops beforehand and benefit from our expert, consultant-led care. The only change comes after: a smoother, quicker recovery with less to think about. If you have certain eye conditions, such as glaucoma, your consultant may recommend standard post-operative drops instead and will guide you to the best option for your needs.
With Optegra’s drop-free cataract surgery, you can look forward to clear, comfortable healing and excellent vision without the hassle of a daily drop routine.
I understand that previously drops were always administered to keep the eye free from bacteria. And it has all been explained to me that they do a steroid injection in the eye. So that is amazing. It saves about four weeks of drops and remembering to do them. It avoids all that inconvenience, so I couldn’t be happier.Maria Walmsey, 78
Drop-Free patient
If you’re experiencing cloudy or blurred vision, struggling with glare, or noticing changes in how you see colours or lights, it may be a sign of cataracts. The first step is to book an eye test with your local optician. They will examine your eyes and, if a cataract is detected, they can provide a diagnosis and discuss your referral options.
Once diagnosed, you can choose to be referred directly to Optegra for NHS cataract surgery. Many opticians already work closely with us and can send your referral straight to one of our specialist eye hospitals. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to explore private treatment options, you can contact us directly to book a free consultation.
Whether you go through the NHS or privately, our team will guide you through the next steps and ensure you receive the highest standard of care from diagnosis to treatment.
Getting referred to Optegra for NHS cataract surgery is simple and straightforward. All you need is a referral from your GP or optician. Many opticians already work closely with us and can send your referral directly to one of our dedicated eye hospitals.
Once we receive your referral, you’ll be contacted by email or letter with your appointment details. We’ll also send you a health questionnaire, a registration form, and clear directions to your nearest Optegra clinic to help you feel fully prepared.
Under NHS guidelines, you have the right to choose where you receive your treatment. This means that if you’re facing a long wait for cataract surgery elsewhere, you can ask to be referred to Optegra instead, often reducing your wait time to just a few weeks.
We’re here to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible, from referral through to recovery.
Most people diagnosed with cataracts are eligible for NHS treatment, provided the condition is affecting their daily life. If your vision is blurred, you’re struggling with glare or brightness, or finding it harder to read, drive, or recognise faces, it’s likely you’ll qualify for NHS cataract surgery.
Drop-free cataract surgery is suitable for most patients, but if you have certain eye conditions, such as glaucoma, or if your surgery is more complex, your consultant may recommend the standard post-op drop routine instead. In either case, you’ll receive expert guidance and care every step of the way.
If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible or how to get started, our friendly team is here to help guide you through the next steps.
It’s easy to get access to NHS cataract treatment at Optegra. Optegra provides cataract patients across the UK with a comprehensive NHS pathway. All you need is a referral from your optician or GP. Once we receive the referral from your optician or GP, we will email or send you a letter in the post providing the full details of the appointment, a medical health questionnaire, a map with directions to the hospital, and a registration form
Email
optegra.bookings@nhs.net
Call
0207 5094186
Speak to your Optometrist or GP to request your referral letter to Optegra
You have right to choose where you are treated. If you have been waiting a long time for treatment, and you would like to be treated at Optegra, you can ask your Optician or GP to refer you to Optegra.
No, this treatment costs £1,200 per eye. We do offer finance options, and you can get the second eye treated on the NHS, with the NHS covering the cost of the second eye, if you’re willing to wait the waiting time for that location/region. If you want to be treated within 4 weeks, you can pay £1,200 for the second eye too.
Yes, you can get 0% Finance for 2 years when you pay a 10% deposit. That comes to £45/month.
However, you cannot use Private Medical Insurance to cover this.
We currently offer our ‘Right To Sight’ package at our dedicated eye hospital in Birmingham.
You need to be referred. Simply ask your optician for an NHS referral to Optegra.
Yes. While the J&J Eyhance lens will give you clearer distance and intermediate vision compared to the standard monofocal lens on the NHS, you will likely need glasses to focus on objects that are closer. If you have notable astigmatism, you may need glasses for the clearest vision for most tasks.
Generally, patients can fly the day after cataract surgery. However, if you plan to fly after surgery, you should seek advice from your consultant.
We appreciate the frustration and anxiety caused by the lengthening waits for cataract treatment. Unfortunately, they are beyond our control. NHS commissioning authorities have asked Optegra (and the other independent eyecare providers it works with in Birmingham) not to treat anyone in less than 14 weeks. However, Optegra can treat NHS cataract patients within 4 weeks of referral. Indeed, that’s our promise with ‘Right To Sight’. It offers people with cataracts, who aren’t prepared to wait that long, a cost-effective route to faster and better treatment.
No. The NHS and private systems run separately. By choosing private care, you are not taking a place away from someone else, you’re simply choosing a different pathway.
Yes. Cataracts worsen over time and can increase the risk of falls, driving accidents, and loss of independence. Timely treatment helps protect patients’ safety and quality of life.
Yes. Cataracts usually progress slowly, but over time they can cause significant vision loss, making it harder to read, drive, or live independently. Many patients find the waiting period challenging because of the impact on daily life.
You have two options. You can either choose to have the second eye funded by the NHS – you will get the same J&J Eyhance lens for better intermediate vision, but you will have the NHS wait time. Or you can self-fund the £1,200 and be treated quicker, within 4 weeks, by choosing our ‘Right To Sight’ package again.
Dr Alastair Stuart is Medical Director at Optegra, and has extensive experience in both Laser eye surgery and Cataract Surgery.
Medically Reviewed Date: 30th September 2025
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