Retina & vitreous · Cost guide · 2026

Eye floater removal surgery cost

Two private treatments remove floaters: YAG laser vitreolysis from £1,200 per eye per session, or a floater-removal vitrectomy from £6,500 per eye all-inclusive. Your consultant advises which suits your floater.

From £1,200YAG vitreolysis, per session
From £6,500vitrectomy, per eye
Day casetopical or local anaesthetic
1–3 sessionstypical for laser

Private eye floater removal in the UK in 2026 costs from £1,200 per eye per session for YAG laser vitreolysis, or from £6,500 per eye for a floater-removal vitrectomy, all-inclusive. Most floaters are harmless and need no treatment, but persistent, dense floaters that interfere with vision can be treated. A sudden shower of new floaters or flashing lights should be assessed the same day to rule out a retinal tear.

Floater removal cost by treatment

There are two private treatments for floaters, priced very differently:

Laser

YAG vitreolysis

£1,200

per eye, per session

YAG vitreolysis is usually the first option for a single, well-defined floater — see our YAG vitreolysis page. Vitrectomy is reserved for dense or persistent floaters; our vitreous floaters treatment page explains both routes.

What are floaters and when should they be treated?

Floaters are small clumps in the vitreous gel that fills the eye, casting shadows on the retina that you see as dots, threads or cobwebs drifting across your vision. They are extremely common and usually harmless, most often appearing after a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) as the gel separates from the retina with age. Learn more on our floaters condition and floaters treatment pages.

Sudden new floaters, flashing lights or a curtain over your vision? This can signal a retinal tear or detachment and needs same-day assessment.

Request an urgent assessment

Which treatment is right for you?

Your consultant examines the floater and the health of your retina before recommending treatment. Discrete floaters respond well to laser; dense, mobile or multiple floaters may need vitrectomy. A same-day flashes and floaters PVD check is the sensible first step if your floaters are new or changing.

Frequently asked questions

It depends on the treatment. Private YAG laser vitreolysis costs from £1,200 per eye per session (most patients need one to three sessions). A vitrectomy to remove floaters surgically costs from £6,500 per eye all-inclusive. Your consultant advises which is appropriate after examining the floater and your retina.
Most floaters are harmless and settle or become less noticeable over time, so treatment is not usually needed. Removal is considered when a floater is persistent, dense and genuinely interfering with vision. A sudden shower of new floaters, flashing lights or a shadow in your vision needs urgent assessment to rule out a retinal tear or detachment.
YAG vitreolysis is non-invasive and suits discrete floaters such as a Weiss ring after posterior vitreous detachment. Vitrectomy removes the vitreous gel and is more effective for dense or diffuse floaters, but as intraocular surgery it carries more risk. The right choice depends on the type and position of your floater.
The NHS treats floaters only when they are associated with a retinal tear, detachment or other serious condition. Removing visually annoying but harmless floaters is generally considered elective and is treated privately.

Bothered by floaters? Get a clear answer

Request a consultation to have your floaters assessed and discuss whether treatment can help.

Updated on 11 Jul 2026