Sapphire Eye Care lists private epiretinal membrane vitrectomy with ERM and ILM peel from £7,000 per eye in the UK, or from £8,000 per eye for combined phaco-vitrectomy (cataract surgery and the ERM peel at the same anaesthetic — the commonest route in patients aged 55+). The fee covers the consultant vitreoretinal surgeon, the anaesthetist, theatre, the ILM stain and a structured 12-week after-care programme.
What is an epiretinal membrane?
An epiretinal membrane (ERM), also called macular pucker, is a thin sheet of fibro-cellular scar tissue that grows on the inner surface of the retina at the macula. As it contracts over months to years it distorts the retina and causes the cardinal symptoms — metamorphopsia (straight lines look wavy), macropsia (objects look larger in the affected eye) and a slow loss of central reading vision. Most ERMs are idiopathic and follow age-related posterior vitreous detachment. You can read more about epiretinal membrane and the related macular hole condition.
Surgery removes the contracting membrane from the retinal surface, restores macular contour on OCT and recovers central reading vision in around 70 to 80% of patients. It is offered when the ERM is symptomatic — reading vision around 6/12 or worse, sustained metamorphopsia, or progressive change on OCT. See the wider vitreoretinal surgery price list.
ERM vitrectomy prices
The price depends mainly on whether vitrectomy is performed alone or combined with cataract surgery. Both are day-case, sutureless 23/25/27-gauge procedures under local anaesthetic with sedation, or general anaesthetic if preferred.
A first consultant review with OCT is from £340 at Sapphire Eye Care (its initial consultation and OCT line). Vitrectomy accelerates cataract, so combined phaco-vitrectomy is preferred in phakic patients aged 55+ to avoid a second operation. Compare the full menu on our price list.
Not sure if you need vitrectomy alone or a combined operation? A consultation includes the OCT staging needed to plan the right procedure.
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What’s included in the price
Sapphire Eye Care says its surgical prices are all-inclusive. The fee covers:
- The consultant vitreoretinal surgeon’s fees for the operation
- The consultant anaesthetist for sedation or general anaesthetic
- The hospital and theatre fees for your day-case procedure
- The micro-incisional vitrectomy pack and Brilliant Blue G ILM stain
- Your intra-ocular lens for combined phaco-vitrectomy cases
- Drops — antibiotic-steroid for 4 weeks and lubricants for 12 weeks
- A structured 12-week after-care programme with OCT and refraction at week 4 and week 12, plus out-of-hours consultant access for 90 days
The only item quoted separately is your first consultation with OCT, and any premium IOL upgrade in combined cases.
What affects the price
Several factors affect the final quote:
- Vitrectomy alone vs combined phaco-vitrectomy — adding cataract surgery and a lens implant raises the fee but avoids a second operation.
- Lens choice — a premium lens (the enhanced cataract / RLE option) is a higher-priced combined procedure.
- Anaesthetic — general anaesthetic costs more than local anaesthetic with sedation.
- Eye status — a pseudophakic eye (already had cataract surgery) qualifies for the lower vitrectomy-alone price.
- Location — central London centres sit at the premium end of the range.
Many private insurers cover ERM vitrectomy and combined phaco-vitrectomy with pre-authorisation, though premium-lens upgrades are self-pay — check with your insurer, and see our guidance for insured patients.