Cataract surgery in Dorset: NHS Wait vs Private Cost
If you need a cataract surgery in Dorset, here's the typical NHS waiting time versus what it costs to go private — updated for 2026.
NHS Wait (Dorset)
26 wks
Typical referral-to-treatment wait for Ophthalmology in this ICB.
Private Self-Pay
£1,000–£2,500
Typical UK self-pay range. Usually treated within 2–3 weeks.
How long is the NHS wait for a cataract surgery in Dorset?
In Dorset, the typical NHS waiting time for ophthalmology procedures such as cataract surgery is around 26 weeks from referral to treatment. Waits vary by hospital within the region and change month to month — and under NHS Right to Choose you can ask to be referred to a faster provider elsewhere in England at no cost.
What does a private cataract surgery cost?
Going private for a cataract surgery in the UK typically costs between £1,000 and £2,500, with an average around £1,500. Self-pay patients are usually seen within 2–3 weeks, compared with the 26-week NHS wait in Dorset — a saving of roughly 23 weeks.
Other procedures in Dorset
Hip replacement in DorsetKnee replacement in DorsetShoulder replacement in DorsetKnee arthroscopy in DorsetMeniscus repair in DorsetCarpal tunnel release in Dorset
Source: NHS England RTT data (2026) and typical UK self-pay fees. Figures are indicative ranges for guidance only.