CATARACT SURGERY · London
Cataract Surgery in London
Cloudy vision corrected with lens replacement surgery, tailored to how you actually use your eyes. Every case is assessed, planned, and performed personally by Mr Ahmad Aziz, Consultant Ophthalmologist.
Quick Answer
Cataract surgery removes the eye’s clouded natural lens and replaces it with a clear artificial lens, through a small, stitch-free incision. It’s performed under local anaesthetic as a day case, usually taking fifteen to twenty minutes per eye, with most patients resuming light activities the next day. Vision often improves within days and continues to settle over four to six weeks, with the second eye typically treated two to six weeks later. Mr Ahmad Aziz, Consultant Ophthalmologist, has performed more than 1,500 cataract operations and performs every case personally.
Ready to find out if cataract surgery is right for you?
Eyelid assessment £195 · Ophthalmic consultation £350
Mr. Ahmad Aziz · Consultant Ophthalmologist & Oculoplastic Surgeon · FRCOphth · GMC Specialist Register · 4.9★ · 80+ verified patients
What is cataract surgery?
A cataract is a clouding of the lens inside the eye, usually caused by ageing, that blurs vision in a way glasses and contact lenses can’t correct. Not everyone who notices early changes in their vision needs surgery straight away. Cataracts usually develop slowly, and many people manage for a while with a stronger glasses prescription and better lighting before surgery becomes the right choice.
When it is time, the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens, known as an intraocular lens or IOL, chosen to suit your eyes and your daily life. This is a different procedure from refractive lens exchange, which replaces a clear lens purely to reduce dependence on glasses. Our full range of general eye conditions covers where cataracts sit alongside other causes of blurred or changing vision.
Every case at Eyes Defined is assessed, planned, and performed personally by Mr Ahmad Aziz, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Oculoplastic Surgeon, who has performed more than 1,500 cataract operations at King Edward VII’s Hospital and the Western Eye Hospital in London.
Who is a good candidate?
Not everyone with early cataracts needs surgery yet. The right time depends on how much your vision is genuinely affecting daily life, not just what an eye test shows. Our guide to the top signs you need cataract surgery and our overview of cataract symptoms after 50 cover the changes worth paying attention to. A proper assessment is the only reliable way to know if now is the right time for you.
You may be a candidate if…
- Blurred or cloudy vision is making it harder to read, drive, or recognise faces
- Glare or halos around headlights are making night driving difficult or unsafe
- Colours look faded, or you're needing brighter light to see clearly
- Your glasses prescription keeps changing without your vision genuinely improving
What results can you expect?
1
Clearer vision
The cloudy lens is replaced with a clear one, so colours often look brighter and detail sharper than patients expect.
2
Reduced dependence on glasses
Depending on the lens chosen, many patients need glasses less often, particularly for distance vision.
3
Long-lasting correction
An artificial lens doesn’t develop a cataract, so this part of your vision stays corrected for good.
Results.
Simulated vision before and after cataract surgery
Simulated colour perception before and after cataract surgery
Simulated night-time glare and halos before and after cataract surgery
Every outcome depends on the individual eye and the lens chosen. These are typical, not guaranteed, results, discussed candidly during consultation.
What patients say about cataracts surgery
“I went to the western eye hospital for my cataract surgery and the consultant that saw me looked panicked and cancelled my surgery because my case was too complicated. I was then booked for surgery with Mr Aziz. On the day of the operation he was really calm and relaxed. I had the surgery done and his hands were so gentle I didn’t feel a thing. He spoke to me during the surgery and my nerves quickly settled. The next day my vision was incredible. I could see the picture across my bedroom wall when I woke up for the first time in years. He is a great surgeon and made my case go smoothly.”
Verified Patient · Doctify
“Absolutely excellent, highly professional explanation of my recent operation. Faultless simplification and clarification of a highly delicate and difficult procedure carried out by Mr Aziz to make it easy to understand for me for which I am eternally grateful.”
Verified Patient · Doctify
“Mr Aziz was promptly on time and my notes in front him. He discussed the options available and left me feeling a lot more reassured and confident that I’m in safe hands.”
Verified Patient · Doctify
What happens at your consultation?
1
Assessment
A full eye examination, including measurements to plan your lens choice.
2
Discussion
An honest conversation about what surgery can, and cannot, achieve for you.
3
Options
Lens types explained, including where a premium lens may or may not suit your lifestyle.
4
Your plan
A personalised surgical plan, provided only where there is a clear benefit to proceeding.
Specialist consultation
£195
Redeemable against your procedure
- King Edward VII's Hospital, London W1G 6AA
- 45 minutes, unhurried
- Virtual consultations available for out-of-town patients
How cataract surgery works.
1
Preparation
Detailed eye measurements taken in advance to select the right lens power for you.
2
Anaesthesia
Local anaesthetic eye drops, with light sedation available for anxious patients.
3
The Procedure
The cloudy lens is broken up and removed through a small incision, and the new lens is inserted, typically in 15–20 minutes.
4
Completion
A brief recovery on-site, then home the same day with someone to drive you.
Recovery and aftercare.
Most of the visible healing happens within the first week, though vision keeps sharpening as your eye adjusts to its new lens over the following weeks. Our guide to cataract surgery recovery in London covers the specific precautions worth knowing, including when it’s safe to bend over or resume light exercise.
If both eyes need treatment, the second eye is usually scheduled two to six weeks after the first, once healing is confirmed. Many patients ask when they can drive again: our guide on driving after cataract surgery covers the DVLA standards in detail.
Day 1
Vision is often blurry at first; a protective shield is worn overnight.
Week 1
Most everyday activities, including reading and screen use, can resume.
Weeks 4–6
Vision settles fully, and any new glasses prescription can be finalised.
Risks and safety.
Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most commonly performed operations in ophthalmology, but it still carries risk, which is discussed openly at consultation before any decision is made.
- Posterior capsule opacity — the lens capsule can cloud months or years later; treated quickly with a simple laser procedure.
- Infection — rare, but serious; reduced with strict sterile technique and antibiotic drops.
- Retinal detachment — a small, well-documented long-term risk, more relevant for very short-sighted eyes.
- Raised eye pressure — usually temporary; monitored and treated if it occurs.
- Dry or light-sensitive eyes — common in the first few weeks; settles as healing completes.
- Lens position changes — uncommon; the artificial lens can occasionally shift and need adjustment.
The NHS overview of cataract surgery covers these risks independently, and our guide on minimising cataract surgery complications goes into more detail on what reduces them in practice.
Cost, insurance, and payment.
Self-pay
Transparent fixed pricing
Private cataract surgery in London typically costs between £2,750 and £4,000 per eye, depending on the lens chosen and whether it’s a standard or complex case. Your fee is confirmed only after assessment and covers the consultation, surgery, and follow-up care. Full details are on our prices page. Patients considering a lens change without a cataract present should instead read about refractive lens exchange, a related but distinct procedure.
Your £195 assessment includes a full, itemised quote before you commit to anything, so there are no surprises later.
Consultation fee £195 is redeemable against the procedure.
Insurance
Recognised by major insurers
Cataract surgery is commonly covered by major UK insurers, including Bupa, AXA Health, and Vitality, since it’s a medically indicated procedure rather than a cosmetic one. Cover depends on your individual policy, and this is confirmed before your appointment where possible.
A GP referral isn’t required to book a consultation.
Referrals: GP, optometrist and consultant referrals welcome. A formal referral letter is not always required for self-pay patients — call to check.
Your surgeon.
Mr. Ahmad Aziz
Consultant Oculoplastic Surgeon
Mr. Aziz performs cataract surgery at King Edward VII’s Hospital and the Western Eye Hospital. He is consultant-led at every step — every assessment, plan and follow-up is his own.
- BSc(Hons) MBBS MPH(HSR) MRSC(Eng) FRCOphth
- Head of Specialty, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
- GMC Specialist Register
- NHS Consultant Ophthalmologist
- Fellow, Royal College of Ophthalmologists
- British Oculoplastic Surgery Society (BOPSS)
Frequently asked questions.
Is cataract surgery painful?
How long does the operation actually take?
Most cataract operations take fifteen to twenty minutes per eye, though you should allow longer at the hospital for preparation and recovery time.
When should I actually have cataract surgery?
How long is recovery after cataract surgery?
Most people notice clearer vision within days, with full healing over four to six weeks. Light activities can usually resume the next day.
How long do I need to wait between surgery on each eye?
Typically two to six weeks, so the first eye can heal and its vision stabilise before the second is treated.
Is cataract surgery covered by insurance?
Often, yes, since it’s a medically indicated procedure. Cover depends on your individual policy, and this is confirmed before your appointment where possible.
Which artificial lens is right for me?
It depends on your eyes and your lifestyle. Standard monofocal lenses suit most patients, while multifocal or toric lenses may reduce dependence on glasses further. This is discussed in detail at consultation.
Will I still need glasses after cataract surgery?
Many patients do, particularly for reading, unless a multifocal lens is chosen. Your surgeon will explain what’s realistic for your eyes before you decide.
What are the main risks of cataract surgery?
Serious complications are rare. The most relevant risks include infection, posterior capsule opacity, and raised eye pressure, all of which are explained fully before you consent to surgery.
Your First Step Is a Conversation.
Book a specialist consultation. Ask every question. Leave with clarity — whether or not surgery is right for you.
Eyelid assessment £195 · Ophthalmic consultation £350
At no stage are you expected to proceed with treatment. Many people use this process simply to gain clarity or reassurance.