22A Harley Street London W1G 9PB
22A Harley Street London W1G 9PB
Private Cataract Surgery in London
Discuss cataract surgery, lens choices and your next steps at our Harley Street clinic. Your assessment establishes whether surgery is suitable for you.
From £2,650 per eye · View costs
Our team will contact you to arrange your appointment.
- Full choice of monofocal, toric & multifocal lenses
- Consultation £300, credited if you proceed
- 12 months of follow-up; package terms confirmed in writing
Dr Radwan Almousa performs cataract surgery; Dr CT Pillai provides your consultation and aftercare.
Meet your surgeons
Discuss your vision, lens options and treatment plan with Precision Vision London at 22A Harley Street. Cataract surgery replaces a cloudy natural lens with an artificial lens. Your assessment helps establish whether surgery is appropriate and what improvement you can reasonably expect.
Based at 22A Harley Street, our CQC-regulated eye clinic combines detailed diagnostics with surgeon-led treatment planning built around your eyes and your lifestyle. Contact our team for current assessment and treatment availability. A consultation is required to determine whether the procedure is appropriate for you.
Do you need cataract surgery?
A cataract develops when the natural lens inside your eye becomes cloudy. It usually happens gradually, which is why many people adjust to worsening vision without realising how much they have lost. Signs that it may be time to consider surgery include:
- Blurred, misty or washed-out vision that glasses no longer fix
- Glare or halos around lights, especially when driving at night
- Colours looking faded or yellowed
- Difficulty reading, recognising faces or watching television
- Frequent changes to your glasses prescription
- Vision that no longer meets the DVLA driving standard
Surgery is the only effective treatment for cataracts, and it is one of the most commonly performed operations in the UK and worldwide. If any of these signs sound familiar, a consultation with one of our consultant surgeons will confirm whether a cataract is the cause and whether surgery is appropriate for you.
Should you choose NHS or private care?
NHS and private cataract care both aim to improve vision by replacing the cloudy lens. Your decision may depend on appointment availability, the lens options appropriate for your eyes, the care arrangements and the cost.
| What to compare | NHS care | Private care at Precision Vision London |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | Ask your NHS provider about its current waiting time. | Ask our team about current assessment and treatment availability. |
| Lens options | Ask which lens options your provider offers for your clinical needs. | Monofocal, toric and multifocal options are discussed according to suitability. |
| Cost | NHS-funded for eligible patients. | Self-pay treatment, with a written quotation after assessment. Check any insurance cover before booking. |
| Care arrangements | Confirm who will assess you, operate and provide follow-up. | Our published pathway is assessment and aftercare with Dr CT Pillai and surgery with Dr Radwan Almousa. |
You do not have to choose private treatment to receive effective cataract care. If your symptoms are manageable, discuss whether monitoring is appropriate before deciding on surgery.
How cataract surgery works
During cataract surgery, the cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens, called an intraocular lens or IOL. The operation is performed using phacoemulsification, where ultrasound energy gently breaks up the cloudy lens through a small incision before the new lens is placed inside the eye.
The procedure normally takes 15 to 20 minutes per eye and is carried out under local anaesthetic, usually numbing eye drops, to numb the eye while you remain awake. Most patients describe a sensation of pressure and some bright lights rather than discomfort.
You go home the same day. On the day itself you will be with us for a few hours in total: arrival and final checks, drops to dilate and numb your eye, the procedure, and a short rest before you leave with your eye shield and drops. If both eyes need treatment, your surgeon will discuss whether same-day surgery or separate dates are appropriate for you.
Lens options for distance, reading and intermediate vision
Your lens choice is the biggest decision in private cataract surgery, and the biggest advantage over a standard pathway. Your consultant will recommend the option most likely to suit your eyes and your lifestyle after your diagnostic assessment.
| Lens option | How it differs |
|---|---|
| Monofocal lenses | Monofocal lenses provide sharp focus at a single distance, usually set for clear distance vision. They suit patients who prioritise driving, television and outdoor activities and are comfortable using reading glasses for close work. |
| Monofocal toric lenses | Monofocal toric lenses do the same job while correcting astigmatism at the time of surgery, giving sharper distance vision for patients whose cornea is irregularly shaped. |
| Multifocal lenses | Multifocal lenses are designed to provide a range of focus across distance, intermediate and near vision, with the aim of reducing dependence on glasses for most daily activities. They suit patients who move constantly between reading, screens and driving and want the greatest independence from spectacles. |
| Multifocal toric lenses | Multifocal toric lenses combine multi-distance vision with astigmatism correction, with pricing from £4,145 per eye confirmed at consultation. |
Multifocal options may reduce the need for glasses, but they are not suitable for every eye. Suitability depends on your prescription, corneal shape and retinal health, and is confirmed after diagnostic testing with your consultant. Results vary from patient to patient, and no lens can be guaranteed to eliminate glasses entirely.
What are the risks and limitations?
As the NHS explains, cataract surgery can cause complications including infection, inflammation, bleeding, retinal detachment and problems with lens position. Further treatment may be needed. Your surgeon will explain the risks that apply to your eyes before you decide.
Glasses may still be needed after surgery. Multifocal lenses also involve optical trade-offs, including glare or haloes, and are not suitable for everyone. The choice should reflect your eye health and priorities rather than a promise of complete freedom from glasses.
Read the NHS guide to cataract surgery and discuss any concerns at your consultation.
What will treatment cost?
Surgery starts from £2,650 per eye with a monofocal lens. Your consultation costs £300 and is deducted from the surgery cost if you proceed. The final price depends on your lens choice and clinical needs and is confirmed in writing after assessment.
The published package includes diagnostics, surgery, post-operative medication and 12 months of follow-up. Ask the team to confirm the terms for any additional treatment in your quotation.
View the lens price guide
| Lens option | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Monofocal | £2,650 |
| Monofocal toric | £3,100 |
| Multifocal | From £3,700 |
| Multifocal toric | From £4,145 |
A £1,250 deposit per eye reserves treatment and is deducted from the total. Specialist or complex cases may cost more.
If you plan to use insurance, obtain authorisation and confirm lens cover, excesses and any additional charges with your insurer before proceeding.
Request an assessmentRecovery after cataract surgery
Most patients notice clearer vision within 24 to 48 hours, although recovery varies from patient to patient. You will use antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops for a few weeks and wear an eye shield at night for the first week.
Most people return to reading, screens and light activity within a couple of days, and to work within a week depending on what they do. You should avoid rubbing your eye, swimming and strenuous exercise in the early weeks, and your surgeon will confirm when you can drive again, which depends on your vision meeting the DVLA standard. Full visual stabilisation can take several weeks, and your prescription for any glasses you still need is usually finalised around then.
Your 12 months of aftercare is included, with your follow-up reviews carried out by Dr Pillai rather than handed to a separate team.
Can vision become cloudy again?
A cataract cannot return in the natural lens once that lens has been removed. However, the capsule supporting the replacement lens can become cloudy later. This is called posterior capsule opacification, or PCO, and is different from a new cataract.
If your vision changes after treatment, have it assessed. Where PCO is the cause, your clinician may recommend YAG laser capsulotomy. Other eye conditions can also affect vision.
If you do not have cataracts and are considering elective lens surgery, see our refractive lens exchange information.
Your consultation
Everything starts with a comprehensive surgeon-led assessment at our Harley Street clinic, lasting 60 to 90 minutes. Your assessment uses the Zeiss IOL Master for the precise biometry that guides lens selection, alongside Orbscan and Pentacam corneal mapping and a check of your retinal health before surgery is planned. These scans are included in your consultation fee.
Request an assessment
Dr Pillai then discusses your distance, intermediate and near vision goals and recommends the lens option best suited to your eyes. You leave with a clear written quotation and no obligation to proceed. If you decide to go ahead, you will meet your surgeon, Dr Radwan Almousa, before your operation to review your treatment plan.
Cataract consultations carry a £300 fee, which is deducted from your surgery cost if you proceed with treatment. A separate deposit of £1,250 per eye reserves your treatment date and is deducted from your total. If surgery is not suitable for you, we will tell you honestly and explain your alternatives.
Your consultant surgeons
Dr Radwan Almousa
Cataract surgery at Precision Vision London is led by Dr Radwan Almousa, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon and current NHS Consultant. Dr Almousa leads our lens replacement, cataract and ICL surgery, with particular experience in premium cataract surgery and multifocal intraocular lenses. He completed fellowships in refractive surgery and corneal and anterior segment disease at the National University Hospital Singapore and the Queen Victoria Hospital, previously held posts at Moorfields Eye Hospital and The Wellington Hospital, and has 18 peer-reviewed publications.
Dr CT Pillai
Your care takes place under the clinical leadership of Dr CT Pillai, Founder and Medical Director, who brings more than 30 years of ophthalmic experience and over 50,000 procedures across laser, refractive and corneal surgery. Dr Pillai’s published research appears in peer-reviewed ophthalmology journals.
Both surgeons are GMC-registered consultants. Dr Pillai carries out your consultation and your aftercare reviews, and Dr Almousa performs your surgery, meeting you before your operation to review your plan, so your care stays within the same consultant team from first assessment to final review.
Profiles: Dr Almousa · Dr Pillai
Read patient reviews
Read patient accounts of their care on Precision Vision London's Doctify profile. Reviews describe individual experiences and do not predict your outcome.
Your questions before booking
How much is the consultation?
The consultation costs £300. This is deducted from your surgery cost if you proceed. Treatment starts from £2,650 per eye with a monofocal lens; your written quotation confirms the cost for your treatment plan.
How soon could I have treatment?
Contact the team for current availability. Timing depends on your assessment, the agreed treatment plan and lens availability. A treatment date is confirmed after the necessary checks.
Will I still need glasses?
You may still need glasses for some tasks. Your consultant will explain the likely benefits and limitations of each suitable lens, including whether reducing dependence on reading glasses is realistic for you.
Can both eyes be treated together?
If both eyes need treatment, your surgeon will discuss whether same-day surgery or separate dates are appropriate for you. The decision depends on your clinical circumstances and preferences.
Will insurance cover my treatment?
Cover varies by policy. Confirm authorisation, the permitted lens, consultant and facility fees, your excess and any additional charges with your insurer. Do not assume a premium lens upgrade is covered or permitted.
When can I return to work and driving?
Recovery depends on your eyes and the work you do. Follow the instructions given by your clinical team. Do not drive yourself home after surgery; ask when it is safe and legal for you to drive again.
Arrange your cataract assessment
Ask about consultation availability, lens options and the next steps at our Harley Street clinic. The consultation is £300, deducted from the surgery cost if you proceed.
Request an assessment Call 020 3884 6805