Private cataract surgery Tunbridge Wells

Improve blurred vision caused by cloudy areas on the lens of the eye.

At Spire Tunbridge Wells Hospital, we use trusted and clinically proven techniques to remove cataracts and improve your eyesight, so you can get back to everyday activities.

Cataract surgery involves replacing a cloudy lens in your eye with a clear artificial lens to improve vision.

Sometimes also called

  • Phacoemulsification

At a glance

  • Typical hospital stay
    A few hours

  • Procedure duration
    1 hour

  • Type of anaesthetic
    Local

  • Available to self-pay?
    Yes

  • Covered by health insurance?
    Yes

Why Spire?

  • Fast access to a wide range of treatments
  • Consultants who are experts in their field
  • Transparent pricing
  • Rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission

By Wallace Health I Medically reviewed by Adrian Roberts.
Page last reviewed: October 2018 I Next review due: October 2023

Cataract surgery: what to expect at Spire Tunbridge Wells Hospital

At Spire Tunbridge Wells Hospital, we have dedicated ophthalmologists who specialise in cataract removal surgery to improve your vision in a relatively straightforward procedure.

We offer fast access to diagnostic tests and scans and easy booking with appointment times to suit you, so you don’t have to wait long to find out if treatment is right for you.

How much does Cataract removal surgery cost at Spire Tunbridge Wells Hospital

There are many ways to pay and our inclusive prices and access to payment plans make it easy and more affordable, even if you don’t have medical insurance.​

Cataract surgery with eyesight correction
Initial consultation We can't display the initial consultation fee just now. Call us for a quote.
Treatment price £3,561
Aftercare Included
From price From £3,561
Monthly treatment price

(Loan applicable to the treatment cost and excludes the initial consultation)

£183
Representative example
Loan amount £3,061
Deposit £500
Loan period 18 months
Representative APR 9.9%
Total amount repayable £3,294

The price shown is the ‘from price’ (ie the minimum cost of the procedure). Please note that for some procedures the actual price you are quoted may vary significantly and can increase depending on your choice of Consultant (who is an independent practitioner and not an employee of Spire). The fees charged by Consultants and Anaesthetists are set independently and are outside the control of Spire. The price may also vary depending on the type of anaesthetic, implant or drug used, and your medical history.

Spire Tunbridge Wells Hospital can provide you with a single, fixed price for your procedure so there are no surprises. Please read Spire Healthcare's terms and conditions for full details of what’s included and excluded in your fixed price when paying for yourself. Finance options are available through our partner Omni Capital Retail Finance Ltd, 10 Norwich Street, London, EC4A 1BD.

Procedures offered for cataract surgery at Spire Tunbridge Wells Hospital

At Spire Tunbridge Wells Hospital, we offer a range of intraocular lenses. Your consultant will help you choose the best option for you. We also have a choice of different makes including:

  • Zeiss CT
  • Lucia 611P

We also have special equipment which use a variety of biometry and refractive techniques to measure the shape and size of your eye. This is so your consultant can calculate the power of your intraocular lens implants.

You may need to wear glasses afterwards, depending on your eyesight and your choice of lens.

Preparing for cataract surgery at Spire Tunbridge Wells Hospital

Getting here

We're located six miles from the centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells. The nearest station is Tunbridge Wells. We have free parking on-site for you and your visitors.

Your consultations

One of our highly trained consultant ophthalmologists will offer you an appointment within a few days of your enquiry. You’ll meet them in one of our 11 consultation rooms to discuss any symptoms or a previous diagnosis. They may carry out tests such as:

  • Sight tests
  • Biometry testing – to calculate the power of the new intraocular lens (IOL) required

Your consultant will explain how cataract surgery works and the options available to you, what you can expect afterwards and any risks. This is a good opportunity for you to ask any questions.

Cataract removal surgery

Watch how cataract removal surgery takes place

Cataract surgery: your procedure

When you come in for your operation, you’ll only be with us for a couple of hours so you won’t need to bring much. However, you may need:

  • Sunglasses or a hat to wear when leaving hospital as things may look bright afterwards
  • Hearing aids if you wear them
  • A change of shirt or top as a rinsing fluid is used during the procedure

If you've come with a friend or family member, they're welcome to wait while you have your operation.

Here’s what will happen after you arrive for your cataract surgery:

  • You’ll meet your surgical team and will be given eye drops to dilate your pupil and make it easier for your surgeon to see your lens
  • You may be given a sedative to help you feel relaxed
  • You’ll also be given a topical local anaesthetic, so you won’t feel anything during the procedure
  • Your surgeon will make a small incision in the front of your eye (cornea) and remove your clouded lens, using a process called phacoemulsification, which breaks the lens up into small fragments
  • They’ll then insert your new intraocular lens

Q & A

Roger McPherson, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Talking about cataract surgery

Cataract surgery: your recovery

After your cataract surgery, you’ll be taken to a recovery room to relax until your surgeon says you’re ready to go home. This is usually a few hours after cataract surgery.

Although everybody’s different and you should always follow your consultant’s advice, here’s a typical recovery timeline for cataract surgery:

1 week

Any eye pain, redness or itching should go

7-14 days

Stop wearing eye shield at night

10-14 days

Clear eyesight restored

4-6 weeks

Fully back to normal

  • 1 week


    Any eye pain, redness or itching should go

  • 7-14 days


    Stop wearing eye shield at night

  • 10-14 days


    Clear eyesight restored

  • 4-6 weeks


    Fully back to normal

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.

How to get to us

We're located in Kent four miles southeast of Penshurst Place, the historic house once owned by King Henry VIII.

Find us on Google maps

Use geographic coordinates/what3words

Spire Tunbridge Wells Hospital,

Fordcombe Road
Fordcombe
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN3 0RD

Get in touch

Important information about Covid-19 tests

COVID-19 testing or antibody tests are not available as a standalone service at Spire Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

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We may contact you by email, SMS or phone about your enquiry. If we try to contact you by phone (mobile and/or landline) and you are not available, we may leave you a voicemail message. We may also use your details to contact you about patient surveys we use for improving our service or monitoring outcomes, which are not a form of marketing.


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https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cataracts/ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cataract-surgery/recovery/

http://www.rnib.org.uk/eye-health/your-guide-cataracts/when-should-i-have-cataracts-surgery 

http://www.rnib.org.uk/campaigning-current-campaigns/eye-health 

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng77/chapter/recommendations#referral-for-cataract-surgery 

https://www.rcophth.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/2010-SCI-069-Cataract-Surgery-Guidelines-2010-SEPTEMBER-2010-1.pdf 

https://www.rnib.org.uk/eye-health-eye-conditions-z-eye-conditions/cataracts-laser-treatment-following-cataract-surgery