Cataract Surgery · Choosing a Consultant 2026

Private cataract consultant: Harley Street, London & the South East

How to choose a private cataract consultant in 2026 — the credentials that matter, the questions to ask, and how to arrange a London or video consultation with a GMC-registered specialist.

GMC + FRCOphthConsultant credentials to check
One surgeonContinuity of care
No referralSelf-refer directly
Request a consultation Meet our consultants

Choosing the right consultant is the single most important decision in private cataract surgery. Whether you are looking on Harley Street, elsewhere in London or across the South East, the markers of quality are the same: a GMC-registered consultant ophthalmologist with a cataract and refractive subspecialty, audited outcomes, the full range of premium lenses, and continuity so you see one named surgeon from assessment to aftercare. Private cataract surgery costs from £2,900 per eye, all-inclusive.

Why the consultant matters more than the address

Harley Street has long been a byword for private medicine in London, but a prestigious address does not by itself guarantee the best cataract outcome. What matters most is the individual consultant: their training, experience, audited results and the lenses they can offer. A skilled, high-volume cataract surgeon who reviews you personally at every stage will serve you better than a famous location alone.

If you are weighing up where to be treated, our guides to finding private cataract surgery near you and the best private cataract surgeon consultation are a useful starting point.

Credentials to check

Before booking any private cataract consultant, confirm the following:

  • GMC registration and Specialist Register status — the surgeon should be a substantive NHS consultant ophthalmologist.
  • FRCOphth and CCT in Ophthalmology — with a declared subspecialty interest in cataract and refractive surgery.
  • Audited outcomes and volume — ask how many cataract procedures they perform and their complication rate.
  • Lens range — access to monofocal, EDOF, multifocal, trifocal and toric intraocular lenses.
  • Continuity of care — you should see the same named consultant from assessment through surgery to your reviews.

Want to speak to a consultant? Request a consultation and our team will match you with the right specialist.

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Our consultant ophthalmic surgeons

Our consultants are GMC-registered ophthalmic surgeons with cataract and refractive subspecialty expertise. You are cared for by one named surgeon throughout:

See the full team on our consultant surgeons page.

London and South East access

You can arrange your first consultation to suit you — including a same-day video eye consultation — and then have your day-case surgery at a partner clinic that is convenient for you. Your named consultant oversees your care from start to finish, wherever the assessment and surgery take place. Learn more about how cataract surgery works and what to expect at your consultation.

Cost

Consultant-led private cataract surgery is priced all-inclusive:

  • From £2,900 per eye for a monofocal lens.
  • £3,796–£4,300 per eye for premium EDOF, multifocal and trifocal lenses.
  • Insurance accepted (Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality, WPA) and 0% finance available.

Full details are on our cataract surgery cost guide.

Frequently asked questions

Look for a GMC-registered consultant ophthalmologist on the GMC Specialist Register with a subspecialty interest in cataract and refractive surgery (FRCOphth and a CCT in Ophthalmology). Check their NHS consultant post, audited outcomes and patient reviews, and make sure you will see the same named surgeon from assessment through to your follow-up.
Yes. Many patients value a London or video consultation for convenience and then have their day-case surgery at a partner clinic that suits them. Your named consultant oversees your care throughout, wherever the surgery takes place.
Confirm GMC registration and specialist status, ask about the number of cataract procedures performed and their complication rate, check which premium lenses they offer, and make sure pricing is all-inclusive with clear aftercare. Continuity of care with one consultant is a key marker of quality.
From £2,900 per eye for a monofocal lens, rising to about £3,800–£4,300 per eye for premium EDOF, multifocal or toric lenses. Prices are all-inclusive of consultation, biometry, surgery, the lens and aftercare, and 0% finance is available.
No. You can self-refer and book a consultation directly. Bringing any recent optician or GP notes is helpful but not required.

Speak to a consultant cataract surgeon

Request a consultation and we'll match you with the right specialist. We'll call you back within one working day.

Updated on 26 Jul 2026