Private cataract surgery for patients near Farnborough costs from £2,900 per eye in 2026 with a standard monofocal lens, all-inclusive of the consultant surgeon, biometry scans, theatre and day-case fees, the operation, your intraocular lens, post-op drops and follow-up. Premium lenses that reduce your need for glasses cost more - from around £3,796 per eye for an EDOF lens and £4,300 per eye for a trifocal. There is no Farnborough clinic on our list, but our consultant-led clinics in Guildford and Basingstoke are both a short drive away, with no NHS-style waiting list. For the clinical detail see our cataract surgery page, or the national cataract surgery cost guide.
How much does private cataract surgery cost near Farnborough?
As a 2026 self-pay guide, private cataract surgery starts from £2,900 per eye with a monofocal lens - the figure most people begin with. Because cataract surgery is priced by the lens you choose, opting for a lens that also corrects reading or astigmatism raises the cost. Treating both eyes roughly doubles the per-eye figure: from £5,800 for two monofocal lenses. Living near Farnborough, you are not tied to a single hospital - patients travel to our Guildford, Basingstoke, Winchester and Reading clinics, all within comfortable reach.
The big advantage of going private is time. Instead of waiting months on the NHS list, most patients are assessed within days and treated within a week or two - useful if cloudy vision is affecting your driving or work. See how the two compare in our guide to the NHS cataract wait versus private cost.
Who has private cataract surgery?
- Cloudy or misty vision that glasses no longer fix, making reading, TV or screens harder.
- Glare and haloes around lights, especially a problem for night driving.
- Faded or yellowed colours and a general dimming of vision.
- Not wanting to wait months on the NHS list while vision worsens.
- A wish to reduce reliance on glasses by choosing a premium lens at the same time.
Want an exact price for your eyes? A consultation with biometry scans confirms your cataract, the right lens for you and your all-inclusive cost - close to Farnborough.
Book a cataract assessmentLens options and how they change the price
The lens (intraocular lens, or IOL) implanted during surgery is the main thing that sets your price. A monofocal lens gives excellent distance vision but you will still need reading glasses; premium lenses reduce or remove that need. Your surgeon recommends the right option after your scans - compare them in our guide to monofocal versus multifocal lenses.
Choosing a premium lens for both eyes adds up: two EDOF lenses come to around £7,592 and two trifocals to £8,600 - see the full breakdown in our both-eyes cataract cost guide, or browse every procedure on our price list.
How cataract surgery is performed
Cataract surgery is a day case under local anaesthetic - you are awake but feel no pain, and go home the same day. Each eye takes about 15-20 minutes, and if both need treating they are usually done a week or two apart (or, in selected cases, the same day).
- Numbing anaesthetic drops are applied - no needles or general anaesthetic for most patients.
- The surgeon makes a tiny self-sealing incision, so small it usually needs no stitches.
- The cloudy natural lens is broken up by ultrasound (phacoemulsification) and gently removed.
- Your chosen intraocular lens is implanted in the same position, focusing light onto the retina.
- The eye is checked and shielded, and you recover briefly before going home.
Recovery
Most people notice clearer vision within a day or two, and recovery is quick. You use anti-inflammatory and antibiotic drops for a few weeks while the eye settles.
First 24-48 hours
Vision is often already brighter. The eye may feel gritty or watery. Start your drops and avoid rubbing the eye.
Week 1
Most everyday activities resume. Avoid swimming, dusty environments and heavy lifting. Many people drive again once vision meets the standard.
Weeks 2-4
The eye settles fully and drops are tailed off. Any second eye is usually treated in this window.
Ongoing
A review confirms the result and your final prescription. New glasses, if needed, are prescribed once vision is stable.
What is included in the price
Our cataract surgery pricing is all-inclusive - there are no separate charges for scans, theatre or routine aftercare.
- Self-pay: from £2,900 per eye with a monofocal lens, covering the consultant surgeon, biometry scans, theatre and day-case fees, the operation, your intraocular lens, post-op drops and follow-up reviews. Premium lenses cost more.
- Insurance: recognised by Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality, Cigna and WPA where surgery is clinically indicated. We handle pre-authorisation.
- Finance: 0% options available to spread the cost - see finance options.
Compare related procedures on our prices page, see the full cataract surgery prices, or read about the best private eye hospital in the South of England.