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Cataract surgery soon

(42 Posts)
tanith Wed 26-Nov-25 21:30:26

I'm due to have NHS cataract surgery in a weeks time at a private health facility. Reading through the leaflet provided it says as an NHS patient I will have single focus level lenses but higher levels ate available privately if i so desire to enquire. Has anyone heard of this? I had no idea there were even different levels.

spanielsmum Fri 28-Nov-25 16:13:39

My OH had his cataract removed at a private clinic under the NHS last Saturday. He was offered the option to buy private lenses at the special offer price of... drum roll.... £4000 each eye. You can imagine his reply. He's been fine and is going for his other doing when they offer the chance.

cc Fri 28-Nov-25 16:46:12

I've had both eyes done under the NHS in private hospitals and spoke to them beforehand about my lenses. I've always had one short sighted eye and one long sighted, so they chose different lenses which left me with the same so that I don't need to wear glasses but can see both long and short.

TwinLolly Fri 28-Nov-25 17:01:45

13spanielsmum
Mine in the Netherlands was 6000 Euros. It included all consultations and follow-ups. And has a lifetime guarantee so I won't be charged if I ever need to be seen again.

Arto1s Fri 28-Nov-25 17:09:15

I live in the US and this year had cataract surgery on both eyes. My right eye is for distance and my left eye is for close work. I don’t need to wear glasses at all now. So I highly recommend going this route.

Colls Fri 28-Nov-25 17:45:59

TwinLolly

13spanielsmum
Mine in the Netherlands was 6000 Euros. It included all consultations and follow-ups. And has a lifetime guarantee so I won't be charged if I ever need to be seen again.

I'm also in NL but was told they didn't do them there - just the fixed focus lenses. hmm

Autumnrose Fri 28-Nov-25 17:47:26

It is quite correct that the NHS will provide only single focal lenses. However, when I had my NHS surgery, also at a private hospital, I was able to have a single focal lens in one eye for distance vision and a single focal lens in the other eye for near vision. As a result, I do not need to wear glasses and I have the best vision that I’ve ever had in my life.

Autumnrose Fri 28-Nov-25 17:48:02

I am surprised that this option has not been explained.

tanith Fri 28-Nov-25 18:30:55

Thanks everyone assessment done today first surgery next Friday.

Jane43 Fri 28-Nov-25 18:53:15

tanith

Thanks everyone assessment done today first surgery next Friday.

That’s quick, less time to think about it. DH had his assessment last Wednesday and will have his first procedure on January 12th.

tanith Fri 28-Nov-25 18:58:57

Thanks all the assessment went well today, surgery on left next Friday and right eye will be in january.

tanith Fri 28-Nov-25 19:00:05

Sorry i dont know why that posted again.

Altissimma Fri 28-Nov-25 22:43:29

I had my cataracts done with SpaMedica Freedom Vision in Watford. I paid to have an enhanced lens in my right eye and a month later had my left eye done as an NHS patient with the basic lens. I am incredibly nervous patient (and squeamish too) but I can honestly say that the staff were all so kind and caring, they really put me at ease. I had no problems with the laser surgery and has made such a difference. The only thing I've noticed is that car headlights are just too bright! For anyone uncertain I would tell you not to hesitate!

Janetashbolt Sat 29-Nov-25 15:26:20

I was given lens for my distance vision so I only need reading glasses. That was NHS in the last few months

M0nica Sat 29-Nov-25 15:44:24

What lenses you can have is dictated to a large extent by how long or shortsighted you are before the operation.

For people like me and my DH where our eyesight was -6.0 to -8.0 before the operation the options are far fewer than those offered to those who sight is less than -2.0

Fidelity2 Sat 29-Nov-25 23:59:22

My husband had National Heath cataract surgery years ago.He was so pleased to have good sight in the other
one.

Fidelity2 Sun 30-Nov-25 00:07:42

I meant to say that my Husband was so pleased to have the operation as he was blind in his other eye.