Private cataract surgery in London

Bespoke treatment for your eyes and your priorities.

Cataract surgery can restore clarity and offers an opportunity to reduce reliance on glasses. The right plan depends on the health of your eyes, your measurements and the activities that matter to you.

If near vision has become harder with age, learn about presbyopia treatment and trifocal lenses. If you are considering lens surgery before cataract develops, read about refractive lens exchange in London.

George Voyatzis is a highly experienced cataract and lens surgeon with more than 20 years in ophthalmology. He trained as an ophthalmologist in London and Cambridge, followed by advanced training in complex cataract and corneal surgery at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, and joined Moorfields Eye Hospital in 2018.

Your consultation includes a discussion of benefits, limitations and individual risks, with time to ask questions. Read about your surgeon and meet the practice team.

Replacing the cloudy natural lens.

A cataract clouds the natural lens and can cause blur, glare, faded colours and difficulty driving at night. Surgery removes the cloudy lens contents and places a clear intraocular lens (IOL) inside the remaining capsule, the thin bag supporting the lens.

1. The pupil is widened and the eye is numbed.
2. Through a small incision, ultrasound breaks up the cloudy lens and suction removes it.
3. A folded implant is placed inside the capsule.
4. The wound is checked. It usually seals without stitches, although a stitch is sometimes needed.

Routine surgery often takes about 15–30 minutes; complex cases can take longer. Allow several hours for preparation and recovery. You usually remain awake and go home the same day. Bright lights, colours, water, touch or pressure can be normal. Tell the team immediately about sharp pain or discomfort, and do not move your head suddenly.

The timing of surgery depends on its effect on your daily life, your eye health and the balance of benefit and risk. Waiting and alternatives should be discussed. Same-day surgery for both eyes needs its own discussion.

Before your measurements and surgery.

Biometry and corneal measurements inform the implant power. The cornea, tear film, retina and optic nerve are assessed because other eye disease can limit improvement. No calculation guarantees an exact final prescription.

Allergies and intolerances: report all allergies, especially penicillin anaphylaxis, cefuroxime allergy and latex allergy, plus intolerance or sensitivity to preservatives in eye drops. Describe the reaction and product if known.

Bring a medicine list. Mention blood thinners, diabetes, current or past tamsulosin or similar prostate medicines, anxiety, claustrophobia, cough, breathing problems, tremor or difficulty lying back. Do not stop regular medicines unless instructed by the responsible clinician. Arrange transport, interpreter support and help with drops if needed.

Local anaesthetic and sedation.

Both methods can require additional anaesthetic. All have risks, including inadequate pain relief or allergy. Sub-Tenon’s blocks also carry rare risks of serious bleeding, damage to the eye or surrounding structures and sight-threatening injury. The choice is individual.

Sedation helps you relax

Medicine, usually through a vein, reduces anxiety alongside local anaesthetic. Light sedation does not guarantee sleep or no memory: you may hear conversation, remember events and need to follow instructions. An anaesthetist assesses, administers and monitors it. Sedation can slow breathing, lower blood pressure and cause nausea, drowsiness, confusion or unsteadiness; rare serious reactions can occur.

After sedation, have a responsible adult collect and support you as advised. For at least 24 hours do not drive, cycle, drink alcohol, operate machinery, cook, sign legal documents, make important decisions or care for dependants alone. Follow any longer restrictions in your discharge instructions.

General anaesthesia, in which you are unconscious, is occasionally more suitable. It needs a separate assessment, fasting instructions and consent discussion.

Choose the vision you want to prioritise.

Monofocal, EDOF and trifocal lenses offer different balances of range, glasses use and optical side effects. Toric correction addresses suitable astigmatism across these lens families. No lens guarantees freedom from glasses.

Compare the lens options →

Understand the benefits and risks.

Most patients notice improved vision, but complications can occur and, rarely, sight may be severely and permanently reduced. Other eye conditions can limit improvement. The risks, alternatives and possibility of further treatment will be discussed individually.

Read the full risks and expectations · See current fees · Plan your recovery

Continue your reading.

Full illustrated patient guide and downloadable leaflets →