What Is the Difference Between NHS and Private Cataract Surgery Waiting Times

If you live in London or Surrey and are thinking about cataract surgery, one of your first questions might be: how long will I have to wait? The answer is very different if you go through the NHS or choose a private route. Below, we explain the main differences clearly, and help you decide what might suit you best.

What is cataract surgery, a quick reminder

A cataract makes the lens in your eye cloudy. In time, vision becomes blurred, and simple tasks like reading, driving, or recognising faces get harder. Cataract surgery replaces the cloudy lens with a clear artificial one. In the UK, many people get this done under the NHS. But in private care, you may have more choice over timing, surgeon, and type of lens.

NHS waiting times: what to expect

Targets and reality
Under NHS rules, non-urgent (elective) care should begin within 18 weeks from referral to treatment.This target is a legal right. But in practice, many people wait longer for cataract surgery.

Across England, ophthalmology (eye surgery) is one of the specialities with long waiting lists. Many patients wait three to twelve months after referral for their surgery under the NHS.

In some areas, waits exceed a year, particularly in regions where demand is high or hospital capacity is stretched.

Why the delays?

• Demand is rising, especially as the population grows older.
• Eye care services are under pressure; there are staff shortages and budget limits.
• Hospitals must prioritise urgent and complex cases.
• Backlogs from the COVID-19 pandemic still affect many specialties.
• Geographic variation: in some counties or trusts, waiting lists are worse than in others.

Private cataract surgery, faster and more flexible

Much shorter waits
One of the main advantages of private surgery is the speed with which you can get treatment. Private clinics often schedule surgeries in week or so, not months.

This contrast is stark when compared to NHS waits of several months.

Choice and control
When going private, you often get to choose which surgeon treats you and when your surgery happens. You also have access to premium lenses (e.g. multifocal or toric lenses that reduce your dependence on glasses).

You can schedule according to your convenience, get a more personalised experience, and have clearer communication and aftercare.

Is private cataract surgery always better?

Not necessarily. Some people do very well under the NHS and prefer not to pay. But private surgery makes sense when:

• You want faster restoration of vision
• You want more choice in surgeon and lens
• You don’t want the uncertainty of NHS waiting lists

Final thoughts

Waiting for cataract surgery on the NHS and going private give very different experiences. The NHS provides care free of charge, but waiting times can be long and uncertain. Private care offers faster treatment, more control, and more choice..

If your vision is worsening, and you find delays troubling, private surgery via a trusted surgeon like Professor Paul Ursell helps you get life back more quickly.

Take our quick cataract surgery suitability self-test to find out if you’re ready for clear, confident vision again.