Cataract surgery in South East London: NHS Wait vs Private Cost
If you need a cataract surgery in South East London, here's the typical NHS waiting time versus what it costs to go private — updated for 2026.
NHS Wait (South East London)
34 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 South East London?
In South East London, the typical NHS waiting time for ophthalmology procedures such as cataract surgery is around 34 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 34-week NHS wait in South East London — a saving of roughly 31 weeks.
Other procedures in South East London
Hip replacement in South East LondonKnee replacement in South East LondonShoulder replacement in South East LondonKnee arthroscopy in South East LondonMeniscus repair in South East LondonCarpal tunnel release in South East London
Source: NHS England RTT data (2026) and typical UK self-pay fees. Figures are indicative ranges for guidance only.