The Rayner Sulcoflex Trifocal is a supplementary intraocular lens implanted in front of your existing lens implant to upgrade you to trifocal vision after cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange. At our partner clinics it costs from £2,400 per eye, all-inclusive of consultation, the day-case procedure, the lens and aftercare. The 10–15 minute operation is performed under anaesthetic eye drops, and because the Sulcoflex sits in the ciliary sulcus rather than the capsular bag, it can be removed or exchanged if your needs change.
What is the Sulcoflex Trifocal?
The Rayner Sulcoflex Trifocal is a supplementary ("piggyback") intraocular lens — a second, slim lens designed to sit in the ciliary sulcus directly in front of the primary IOL already in your eye. It was engineered by Rayner specifically for this position, with rounded edges and a haptic design that avoids rubbing the iris or the lens behind it.
Its trifocal optic adds three focal points — distance, intermediate and near — on top of whatever vision your original lens provides. For someone who had a standard monofocal cataract lens and now finds themselves reaching for reading glasses, it is a way to gain spectacle freedom without disturbing the original implant.
Who is it for?
A supplementary IOL is most often chosen when the primary lens cannot or should not be removed but the visual result needs refining. Your consultant will confirm suitability with biometry and a check of the space in the sulcus. Three Sulcoflex variants are available, all priced per eye and all-inclusive.
If you do not yet have a lens implant, a primary trifocal IOL or a toric IOL at the time of cataract surgery is usually the simpler route. The Sulcoflex comes into its own as a second-stage upgrade or correction.
Still in glasses after cataract surgery? A consultation includes biometry and an honest assessment of whether a Sulcoflex add-on, a lens exchange or laser fine-tuning is right for you.
Book an assessmentWhat happens during the procedure
Implanting a Sulcoflex is quicker and gentler than original cataract surgery because the cloudy lens has already been removed. It is performed under local anaesthetic eye drops as a day case and takes 10 to 15 minutes.
- Numbing drops are placed in your eye and the area is cleaned with sterile solution.
- A small self-sealing incision is made at the edge of the cornea.
- The folded Sulcoflex supplementary lens is inserted and gently positioned in the ciliary sulcus, in front of your existing implant.
- The lens is centred over your visual axis — no part of the original IOL is touched.
- The eye is shielded and you rest briefly before going home the same day.
Recovery week-by-week
Because nothing is removed, recovery is typically faster than primary cataract surgery, with the new focal range settling over a couple of weeks.
Day of procedure
Vision is a little hazy for a few hours. Eye shield worn for the first night. No driving or heavy lifting. Eye drops begin.
Days 1–3
Vision begins to clear and the near and intermediate focus comes through. Mild grittiness is normal.
Week 1
First post-op review. Most patients are back to driving, reading and working — no swimming or eye rubbing yet.
Weeks 2–4
The brain adapts to the trifocal range and night-time glare settles. Eye drops continue as directed.
Beyond a month
Final vision is settled. If the second eye is also being upgraded, it is scheduled at this point.
Cost & what's included
Our Sulcoflex pricing is all-inclusive per eye: consultation, biometry, the procedure itself, theatre and hospital fees, the supplementary lens, post-op drops and follow-up reviews. There are no hidden extras.
- Self-pay: Sulcoflex Aspheric from £2,200; Sulcoflex Trifocal from £2,400; Sulcoflex Trifocal Toric from £2,600 per eye.
- Insurance: recognised by Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality, Cigna and WPA — we handle authorisation.
- Finance: 0% finance available, spreading the cost over 12 months.
Comparing your options? See full implant lens prices, primary trifocal IOL costs or the overall cataract surgery cost.