Private lens replacement surgery (refractive lens exchange) for London patients costs from £2,800 per eye with a monofocal or EDOF lens and £3,800–£5,000 per eye with a premium trifocal lens — both eyes typically from £6,000. The price is all-inclusive of consultation, biometry, theatre, your intraocular lens and aftercare. RLE uses the same technique as cataract surgery to replace your natural lens with an artificial one, correcting long-sightedness, short-sightedness and presbyopia in one procedure — and because the lens is replaced, you will never develop a cataract in that eye.
Private lens replacement cost in London
Refractive lens exchange (RLE), also called clear lens extraction, is usually chosen by people over 45–50 for whom laser eye surgery is no longer the best option because the natural lens is beginning to stiffen (presbyopia). London self-pay pricing is fixed and all-inclusive — the figure quoted at your consultation is the figure you pay.
The main factor in the price is the type of intraocular lens (IOL) you choose. A monofocal or EDOF lens sits at the lower end of the range; a premium trifocal lens, which gives the greatest freedom from glasses at near, intermediate and distance, sits at the top. See the national picture in our refractive lens exchange cost guide.
| Lens type | From (per eye) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Monofocal IOL | £2,800 | Clear distance vision, reading glasses for near |
| EDOF IOL | £3,300 | Distance + intermediate (screens, driving) |
| Trifocal IOL | £3,800–£5,000 | Greatest freedom from glasses at all distances |
Is RLE right for you? A consultation includes biometry scans and a full discussion of whether lens exchange or laser vision correction best suits your eyes and age.
Book a consultationLens (IOL) options
The lens you choose is permanent and determines how well you see, and at what distances, for the rest of your life. We offer the full premium range and your consultant recommends the best fit for your eye anatomy and lifestyle.
Compare your choices in our EDOF lens cost guide, trifocal IOL cost guide and monofocal vs multifocal comparison. If you are under 45, laser vision correction may suit you better.
What happens during lens replacement
RLE is performed under local anaesthetic eye drops as a day case — you stay awake but feel no pain. Each eye takes 15 to 25 minutes and the two eyes are usually treated a week or two apart.
- Numbing drops are placed in your eye and the surrounding skin is cleaned.
- A tiny 2.2–2.8mm self-sealing incision is made at the edge of the cornea.
- Phacoemulsification gently removes your natural lens.
- Your chosen intraocular lens is folded, inserted and locked into place.
- The eye is shielded and you rest briefly before heading home.
Recovery week-by-week
Most patients notice clearer vision within a day or two, with the brain adapting to a multifocal lens over several weeks.
Day of surgery
Vision hazy for a few hours. Eye shield the first night. Drops begin. No driving.
Days 1–3
Vision clears noticeably. Mild grittiness is normal. Gentle activities resume.
Week 1
First review. Most patients return to work and driving. Second eye often treated now.
Weeks 2–6
Vision refines and the brain adapts to premium lenses. Halos at night settle.
Beyond 6 weeks
Vision is settled — most trifocal patients are glasses-free for everyday tasks.
What's included in your London price
- Self-pay: from £2,800 per eye (monofocal/EDOF); trifocal £3,800–£5,000 per eye; both eyes from £6,000.
- Insurance: RLE for refractive reasons is elective and rarely covered by private medical insurance.
- Finance: 0% finance available — see our finance options.
Learn more in the treatment overview at refractive lens exchange and our patient guide private lens replacement surgery in the UK. London cataract patients can also see private cataract surgery cost in London.