Private cataract surgery in Bristol costs from £2,900 per eye for a standard monofocal lens, £3,796 for an extended-depth-of-focus (EDOF) lens, and £4,300 for a multifocal or trifocal IOL in 2026. Toric lenses to correct astigmatism are available from £3,400 per eye. Prices are all-inclusive — covering your consultation, biometry scans, the surgery itself, theatre and hospital fees, your intraocular lens and all aftercare. Most patients are treated within one to three weeks of their assessment, with no GP referral required.
How much does private cataract surgery cost in Bristol?
Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed elective operation in the UK, with more than 450,000 procedures carried out each year. Going private in Bristol means you choose your surgeon, your lens and your timing — rather than waiting on an NHS list. The single biggest factor in the price is the type of intraocular lens (IOL) you choose, because the lens is permanent and determines how well you see, and at what distances, for the rest of your life.
For a full breakdown of every lens type and premium option, see our cataract surgery cost guide, or read how the operation itself works on our cataract surgery treatment page.
Cataract lens prices in Bristol (2026)
Choosing the right lens is the most important decision in cataract surgery. Here is what each option costs and delivers:
Toric lenses (which correct astigmatism) are available across all lens families from £3,400 per eye. Compare the premium options in detail on our EDOF lens cost guide and trifocal IOL cost guide.
Not sure which lens is right for you? A consultation includes biometry scans and a personal lens recommendation based on your eyes and lifestyle.
Book a cataract assessmentWhat is included in the price?
Our Bristol cataract surgery prices are genuinely all-inclusive, with no hidden extras:
- Initial consultation with a consultant ophthalmic surgeon
- Biometry and diagnostic scans to measure your eye and select the correct lens power
- The surgery itself, theatre and hospital fees
- Your chosen intraocular lens
- Post-operative eye drops
- Follow-up reviews at one week and four weeks
If posterior capsule opacification (a common, easily treated clouding) develops months or years later, it is corrected with a quick YAG laser capsulotomy from £550 for a single eye.
NHS vs private cataract surgery
NHS cataract surgery is free but is funded for a standard monofocal lens only, and waiting times vary considerably by region. You can check current figures on our guide to how long the NHS cataract surgery waiting list is in 2026. Many patients in England also use NHS Right to Choose to be seen sooner. Going private in Bristol gives you:
- Faster treatment — typically within one to three weeks
- Choice of premium lenses not available on the NHS
- Continuity of care with one named consultant throughout
- Same-day bilateral surgery where clinically suitable
Paying for cataract surgery: finance & insurance
- Self-pay: from £2,900 per eye (monofocal); £3,796 EDOF; £4,300 multifocal/trifocal.
- Insurance: recognised by Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality, Cigna, WPA and others — we handle authorisation.
- 0% finance: spread the cost over 12 months — see our 0% cataract finance guide.
You can also compare prices in other cities, such as our Birmingham cataract surgery cost guide, or view the Bristol clinic overview.