22A Harley Street London W1G 9PB
22A Harley Street London W1G 9PB
Lens Replacement Surgery in London
Explore lens replacement to reduce reliance on reading glasses or varifocals, with a personalised assessment at our Harley Street clinic.
From £3,150 per eye · View costs
Our team will contact you to arrange your appointment.
- Personalised lens selection
- Ask about consultation fees before booking
- Benefits, risks and alternatives explained
Dr Radwan Almousa leads our lens replacement surgery service. Your assessment explores suitability, lens options and the trade-offs involved.
Meet your surgeons
Meet our clinical team: Dr Radwan Almousa and Dr CT Pillai.
Considering an alternative to reading glasses or varifocals? Refractive lens exchange (RLE) replaces the eye’s natural lens with an artificial lens selected for your vision needs. At Precision Vision London on Harley Street, your assessment explores whether lens replacement is suitable, which lens options may help and what compromises to expect.
Refractive lens exchange removes the natural lens and replaces it with an intraocular lens, or IOL. The aim is to reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses. It uses the same surgical approach as cataract surgery, but is usually considered for vision correction before a cataract needs treatment.
The natural lens cannot be put back after RLE. Lens selection therefore needs a careful discussion of reading, screen work, driving and the possibility of still needing glasses. If you already have a cataract affecting your sight, see our private cataract treatment information.
Which lens could suit your day-to-day vision?
Your lens recommendation should reflect both the health of your eyes and the activities that matter to you. A higher-priced lens is not automatically the right choice.
| Lens option | Purpose | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Monofocal | Focuses at one chosen distance. | Glasses are usually needed for other distances. |
| Toric | Addresses astigmatism as part of the lens correction. | Suitability depends on your measurements; toric does not itself mean multifocal. |
| Multifocal or trifocal | Provides useful focus across more than one distance. | Glare or haloes may be more noticeable, and glasses may still be needed for some tasks. |
Tell your clinician if night driving, prolonged reading or detailed close work is particularly important. These priorities belong in the lens decision alongside your scan results.
When is lens replacement worth considering?
RLE may be considered when age-related focusing changes, your prescription or the condition of your natural lens make other correction options less suitable. Age alone does not establish suitability.
The assessment needs to consider your cornea, natural lens, retina and expectations. For younger adults whose natural lens still focuses well, removing it may be an unnecessary compromise.
What happens before and after treatment?
- Eye assessment. Your prescription, eye health and measurements are reviewed to establish which treatments may be appropriate.
- Discussion with your surgeon. Review the proposed lens, expected benefits, risks, alternatives and written quotation before deciding.
- Treatment planning. The team confirms the operating location, arrangements for each eye and what you need to do before your appointment.
- Recovery and follow-up. Follow your prescribed drops and aftercare instructions. Your clinician will advise when you can return to driving, work and exercise.
Arrange help getting home after treatment. Keep your follow-up appointments even if your vision feels good.
What benefits and limitations should I understand?
RLE can reduce reliance on glasses, but it cannot promise perfect vision at every distance. The natural lens is permanently removed, while other parts of the eye can still change with age.
Possible problems include glare or haloes, a remaining prescription, inflammation, infection, retinal detachment and the need for further treatment. Your surgeon should explain which risks matter most for your eyes, particularly if you are highly short-sighted.
A cataract cannot form in a natural lens that has been removed. However, the capsule behind the implant can become cloudy. This is called posterior capsule opacification (PCO) and may require YAG laser treatment; it is different from a cataract growing back.
For independent background, read the Royal College of Ophthalmologists’ RLE information. The NHS explains complications including PCO after lens surgery.
What will treatment cost?
Lens replacement at Precision Vision London starts from £3,150 per eye. Your quotation depends on the recommended lens and treatment plan.
Before booking, ask the team to confirm the consultation charge. Your written quotation should explain the scans, surgery and follow-up included, plus any conditions or charges for further treatment.
View current guide prices by lens type
| Lens | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Monofocal | £3,150 |
| Monofocal toric | £3,400 |
| Multifocal | £3,700 |
| Multifocal toric | £4,145 |
Request a personalised assessment and quotation or read our fees information.
Dr Radwan Almousa
Dr Almousa is an NHS consultant with fellowships in refractive surgery and cornea, and posts at Moorfields, Queen Victoria Hospital and The Wellington. He performs all lens-based procedures at Precision Vision London — refractive lens exchange, cataract surgery and ICL — and every patient is treated by the consultant personally.
Find out whether lens replacement is right for you
Contact Precision Vision London at 22A Harley Street, London W1G 9PB to discuss an assessment. Ask about lens choices, the consultation fee and the next available appointment.
What our lens replacement patients say
“It is a fantastic feeling to wake in the morning and see clearly, without reaching for glasses or contact lenses. I would thoroughly recommend anyone suitable to go ahead and change their life as I have. My only wish is that I had known about this procedure years ago — it is truly amazing.”
“I can read a computer screen for hours without any spectacles. I don’t give praise lightly, but I wholeheartedly recommend Precision Vision to anyone wanting a personal, tailor-made service for their vision — and the bonus? They were less expensive than the others.”
“Being able to see clearly — and go swimming — is a whole new experience. The whole team looked after me superbly. Many thanks.”
Questions about lens replacement
How is RLE different from cataract surgery?
Both replace the natural lens with an implant. RLE is generally considered to reduce dependence on glasses before cataracts require treatment; cataract surgery treats clouding of the natural lens.
Will I still need glasses?
You may. Lens choice affects the range of vision you can expect, but glasses can still be useful for some distances or tasks. Your surgeon will discuss a realistic outcome for your eyes.
Is the result permanent?
The natural lens is permanently removed and the implant is intended to remain long term. This does not mean vision can never change or that further treatment will never be needed.
Can my vision become cloudy afterwards?
Yes. The capsule behind the implant can become cloudy after lens surgery. This is called PCO and is different from a new cataract. Seek an assessment if your vision changes.
What if RLE is not suitable?
Your clinician can discuss glasses, contact lenses and other appropriate correction options. There is no obligation to proceed with surgery.