What should I expect during the consultation for private cataract surgery?

If you're thinking about private vision correction, the first step is a consultation. This isn’t just a quick check-up—it’s a detailed, personal conversation focused on your vision, your lifestyle, and your needs.

So, what can you expect when you meet Professor Paul Ursell for your cataract consultation?

A warm welcome—and time to talk

Your consultation is unhurried and will be scheduled for 30 minutes. If you need more time to discuss things then this is perfectly fine.. You’ll be greeted by a friendly team who are there to help. You’ll have time to share your story: how your vision is affecting your life, what concerns you have, and what you hope to achieve from treatment.

Detailed testing of your eyes

A full eye health assessment will be carried out. This includes:

• Vision test – how well you can see with and without glasses.
• Slit-lamp examination – to look at the front of your eye and lens.
• OCT scan – a special scan of your retina to check for any underlying issues.
• Biometry – precise measurements of your eye to select the right lens implant.
• Corneal topography - precise & accurate measurements of your cornea and astigmatism.
• Autorefraction - to get an accurate and up to date measurement of your current glasses prescription

These tests are painless and non-invasive. They help your surgeon plan the best treatment for your unique eyes.

A personal recommendation from Professor Paul Ursell

As a highly experienced consultant, Professor Ursell will go through your results with you. He’ll explain whether vision correction is the right step now—and if so, what lens options might suit you.

You’ll discuss things like:

• Your vision goals (e.g., would you like to reduce your need for glasses?)
• Any other health conditions
• What to expect during and after the procedure

This is also your chance to ask anything—there’s no pressure, and no such thing as a silly question.

A discussion of lens choices

One of the biggest benefits of private cataract surgery is the range of advanced lens implants available. You'll learn about:

• Monofocal lenses (for sharp distance vision)
• Multifocal lenses (to help with near and far focus)
• Toric lenses (for correcting astigmatism)
• Extended depth-of-focus lenses (a more natural visual range)

Your surgeon will recommend a lens based on your test results and preferences.

Planning your surgery date

If you decide to go ahead, you can usually book at a time that works for you—often with little or no waiting. The team will walk you through next steps, pricing, consent forms, and pre-op instructions.

Ready to take the next step?
Take our quick self-test to find out if private vision correction is right for you.