"At Moorfields Eye Hospital, all of us specialise in a very specific part of the eye and that makes us 'super experts'. When you have your cataract surgery at Moorfields, you are in the very best hands."
Miss Louisa Wickham
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon and Medical Director, Moorfields Eye Hospital and National Clinical Director for Eye Care, NHS England
Over
10,000
cataract procedures performed every year
Over
200
years delivering world-leading eye care
We have over
70
consultants specialising in cataract surgery
Being referred to Moorfields
NHS cataract surgery
If you would like to have NHS cataract surgery at Moorfields, please ask your GP or optician to refer you to Moorfields. For more information visit our three step referral process page.
Private cataract surgery
You can self refer for a cataract surgery at Moorfields Private. To book your initial consultation, contact our new patient team. Contact us today.
Should I have NHS or private cataract surgery?
At Moorfields, you have the choice to have your cataract surgery at any of our ten NHS cataract centres. Our NHS centres have short waiting times and comfortable theatre suites with care delivered by our expert cataract teams.
You can also choose to have cataract surgery privately. Our private locations offer fast access, premium lens options to reduce your need for glasses, and consultant-led care where you will see your consultant at every appointment.
To help you make the right decision for you, read more about the differences between NHS and private cataract surgery.
Why choose Moorfields for your cataract surgery?
Specialist consultants and eye care teams
At Moorfields, each consultant specialises not just in eyes, but in specific parts of the eye. This means we will match you with a leading expert in the field of cataract surgery.
Our teams are all experts in eye care. Our nurses, technicians, pharmacists, and allied health professionals are dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and care of your eyes.
Excellent outcomes
Our outcome data is excellent, delivering results well above national standards. This includes significantly lower rates of post surgical complications, better than national targets for accuracy, and lower rates of infection.
The widest range of cataract treatment
From the most complex cases to simple cataract care, we have the expertise and facilities to treat all types of cataracts. As a specialist centre, we receive referrals from all over the country—and the world.
video transcript
Cataract is a major cause of sight loss. The disease causes gradual blurring of vision and often glare symptoms worsen over time.
Surgery to replace the lens is the only effective treatment. At Moorfield's Private we provide a world-class service for patients undergoing cataract surgery. Our highly skilled teams perform over 3000 cataract operations a year and as a specialist center we are able to perform complex surgeries which require specific ophthalmic expertise such as cataract in glaucoma patients.
Choosing to have your cataract surgery at Moorfields Private gives you peace of mind knowing that you'll be treated by world-renowned cataract surgeons using the latest techniques. All our Consultants hold accredited consultant positions at Moorfield's Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust working at the very top of their profession.
At Moorfields's Private we have excellent facilities - clinical surgical and research facilities. We upgrade them continuously. They're second to none. We also have a fantastic team; we encompass all the
sub-specialty ophthalmologists and all together we can come to a conclusion usually for the most difficult cases.
You will have a personalized care plan based on your comprehensive assessment, treatment suitability and replacement lenses preferences.
You will see your consultant at every visit and they will supervise every aspect of your care. As a private patient you can choose to have multi-focal lenses which can reduce your reliance on glasses or contact lenses after your cataract surgery.
Our profits are reinvested into our NHS services and research programs for the benefit of all patients
To find out how we can help you and to book an appointment call us on 0800 328 3421 or find us online
Low waiting times
For NHS patients, we aim to see you for cataract surgery within 8 weeks from referral, with historically low waiting times at many of our surgical sites including Moorfields at St Ann’s and Moorfields at Stratford.
For private patients, you can chose to have your cataract treatment when it best suits you and initial appointments are available within days.
Specialising in complex and revision cataract surgery
We often see patients who are unhappy with the outcome of their initial cataract surgery or those preparing for surgery on their second eye after complications with the first. At Moorfields, our world-leading expertise allows us to successfully manage these complex cases, delivering exceptional results where others may not.
Full wrap-around service
We provide a fully comprehensive eye care service, with a 24/7 accident and emergency walk-in service and our nurse-led helpline is available 9am-9pm Monday-Friday and 9am-5pm on Saturdays. So you can be safe in the knowledge that if you have any concerns after your surgery, we will be there for you with support and advice.
NHS and Private options
Patients have the choice to access their surgery through the NHS or with our private patient unit.
There are no words to describe the impact of having my cataracts removed. All I can say is that they are magicians, each in their own way contributed to a successful outcome for me and my future. They have given me a most precious gift - the ability to see the faces of my grandchildren, seeing sunrises and being able to drive safely again is totally amazing.
Of our surgeries
99%
are completed without complications.
After cataract surgery
94%
of patients experience good vision. National standard is >90%.
Over
94%
of patients recommend cataract surgery at Moorfields.
About cataracts
-
What is a cataract?
Within your eye you have a clear lens. This lens helps focus light rays onto the back of the eye (the retina), which in turn sends messages to the brain allowing us to see. A cataract is clouding or opacity of this lens inside the eye. It causes gradual blurring of vision and often glare.
-
Diagnosis and treatment
Cataracts are diagnosed and treated by a consultant ophthalmic surgeon. The only treatment available is a simple surgery to replace the cloudy lens with a new, artificial clear lens to restore vision.
-
Aftercare
Cataract surgery is usually a day procedure, where most patients go home on the same day. While the recovery time can vary from person to person, it usually takes around one week to get back to your day-to-day activities.
I was immediately transferred to my room where a nurse explained everything, rapidly followed by visits from the anaesthetist and surgeon who ran through the procedure. After the op, I was wheeled back to the room and given tea and a light lunch; after dozing for an hour I was given my goody bag of eyedrops and was free to leave. The whole experience of having 2 cataracts dealt with was, for me, a relaxed and almost stress-free one. Oh and I now have 6/6 vision. I unreservedly recommend Moorfields Private.
Patient stories
-
Fred – Daily life improves by 100%
Fred’s deteriorating eyesight made his life difficult, so a successful private cataract operation has transformed his daily life.
-
Tamasin – my multifocal lens gave me the very best result
Despite her complex eye condition, Tamasin’s private cataract surgery with a multifocal replacement lens gave her the perfect 20/20 vision to get back on the golf course.
-
Jason - back to work with a clean bill of health
Jason needed cataract surgery after his eyesight had deteriorated to where he was struggling to read. As a project manager on a construction site, this made work more challenging.
Start your journey to clearer vision today
-
NHS cataract surgery
Being referred is easy. Simply ask your GP or Optom to refer you. Visit our three step to be referred to Moorfields page for more information about your NHS cataract surgery.
-
Private cataract surgery
Book your consultation today! Contact our New Patient Enquiry team to book an appointment at a time convenient for you.
