UK · Lens replacement cost · 2026

How much is private lens replacement surgery? (UK 2026)

Private lens replacement surgery — also called refractive lens exchange (RLE) — is listed from £3,150 per eye for a monofocal lens by Precision Vision London and from £4,300 per eye by Sapphire Eye Care. The intraocular lens you choose is the biggest factor in the price. Here is what each lens type costs on the partners’ own price lists, what each clinic says its price covers, and how to arrange a consultation.

From £3,150per eye, monofocal, Precision Vision London
From £3,700per eye, multifocal, Precision Vision London
Priced per eyeboth eyes roughly double
No GP referralneeded to go private
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Private lens replacement surgery (refractive lens exchange) is listed from £3,150 per eye for a monofocal lens, from £3,400 monofocal toric, from £3,700 multifocal and from £4,145 multifocal toric by Precision Vision London, and from £4,300 per eye by Sapphire Eye Care, on their own price lists (read 27 September and 8 October 2026). Precision Vision London says its price includes everything: the surgeon-led consultation and diagnostics, the procedure, post-operative medications, protective eyewear, follow-up appointments through the first 12 months and any enhancement needed within the first year. Sapphire Eye Care says its quoted price is all-encompassing and includes all necessary aftercare. See the full breakdown on our refractive lens exchange cost guide.

How much does private lens replacement cost by lens?

Lens replacement removes your natural lens and replaces it with a clear intraocular lens (IOL) chosen to correct your focus — the same technique used in cataract surgery, but done to reduce your reliance on glasses and remove any future risk of cataracts. What you pay depends mainly on the lens you choose. On the partners’ own price lists, per eye:

Standard

Monofocal

from £3,150

per eye, Precision Vision London; Sapphire Eye Care from £4,300 (lens type not stated on its list)

  • Sharp vision at one distance
  • Reading glasses still needed
  • Lowest per-eye price
Premium

EDOF

Not listed

neither partner publishes an EDOF price for lens replacement

  • Distance + intermediate vision
  • Reduced reliance on glasses
  • Great for screens & driving
Premium

Multifocal / Trifocal

from £3,700

per eye, Precision Vision London (multifocal); multifocal toric from £4,145

  • Near, intermediate & distance
  • Greatest spectacle freedom
  • Toric options for astigmatism

Toric versions, which also correct astigmatism, are listed by Precision Vision London from £3,400 per eye (monofocal toric) and from £4,145 (multifocal toric). Choosing a premium intraocular lens raises the lens element of the price but not the surgical fee. For a deeper look at specific lenses, see our EDOF lens cost and trifocal lens cost guides, or compare the exact price per eye.

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What's included in the price?

Check that the written quote you receive covers:

  • Consultant assessment & biometry — the specialist appointment and the scans that measure your eye for the correct lens power.
  • The day-case surgery & theatre fee — the operation itself, performed under local anaesthetic drops.
  • Your chosen intraocular lens — monofocal, EDOF or multifocal, including toric if you have astigmatism.
  • Post-op drops and follow-up reviews — typically at one week and four weeks.

Check any quote carefully — some advertised "from" prices exclude scans, the premium lens or aftercare. If freedom from reading glasses is your main goal, our presbyopia lens replacement guide explains the options.

Is the price per eye or for both eyes?

Lens replacement prices are almost always quoted per eye, so both eyes are double the single-eye figure: Precision Vision London’s pricing FAQ says to double the per-eye price, which gives £6,300 for two monofocal lenses and £7,400 for two multifocal lenses (our arithmetic from its per-eye prices); Sapphire Eye Care’s list is per eye unless otherwise stated. Most patients treat both eyes, usually within one to two weeks of each other, or on the same day where clinically suitable. Always check on your written quote whether it covers one eye or two, and whether your preferred premium lens is included.

Lens replacement vs cataract surgery cost

The surgery is technically the same, so the pricing is very similar to private cataract surgery. The difference is the reason for treatment: cataract surgery removes a clouded lens, while refractive lens exchange corrects vision in an otherwise clear lens. If you are over 50 and weighing your options, read lens replacement vs laser eye surgery over 50, or learn more about the procedure on our refractive lens exchange page.

Paying for treatment

Payment terms depend on the clinic. Blue Fin Vision says flexible financing is available to spread the cost of lens replacement surgery, with personalised payment plans. Sapphire Eye Care offers the option to pay in instalments leading up to the procedure for certain treatments, so ask whether lens replacement surgery is one of them. Ask for the interest rate, any fees and the total repayable in writing before you agree to credit. See the payment options at each clinic on our finance page. You do not need a GP referral to pay privately — you can self-refer and usually be assessed within days. Eye Surgery Clinic provides consultant-led lens replacement across the South of England; find your nearest clinic location.

Frequently asked questions

Private lens replacement (refractive lens exchange) is listed from £3,150 per eye for a monofocal lens, £3,400 monofocal toric, £3,700 multifocal and £4,145 multifocal toric by Precision Vision London, and from £4,300 per eye by Sapphire Eye Care. Each clinic’s own price list says what the figure includes.
Prices are usually quoted per eye, so both eyes are roughly double the single-eye figure — for example two monofocal lenses at Precision Vision London come to £6,300 (twice the per-eye figure, our arithmetic; its pricing FAQ says to double the per-eye price). Most patients treat both eyes within one to two weeks of each other. Always confirm on your written quotation whether it covers one eye or two.
The lens is the main price driver. A monofocal lens gives excellent vision at one distance and is the most affordable. Premium EDOF and multifocal lenses reduce your reliance on glasses across more distances, so they cost more. The surgical fee itself does not change with the lens.
Payment terms depend on the clinic. Blue Fin Vision says flexible financing is available to spread the cost of lens replacement surgery, with personalised payment plans. Sapphire Eye Care offers the option to pay in instalments leading up to the procedure for certain treatments, so ask whether lens replacement surgery is one of them. Ask for the interest rate, any fees and the total repayable in writing before you agree to credit.
The surgical technique is the same — the natural lens is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens. The difference is the reason: cataract surgery treats a clouded lens, while refractive lens exchange corrects vision (and removes the future risk of cataracts) in an otherwise clear lens. Pricing and lens options are very similar.

Get a lens replacement quote

Consultant-led care and a choice of lenses, listed from £3,150 per eye by Precision Vision London and from £4,300 by Sapphire Eye Care. Tell us where you are and the partner clinic covering your area will contact you with a written quote. For sudden vision loss or eye pain, seek emergency care immediately.

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Updated on 10 Oct 2026