Guide

A patient's guide to private cataract surgery in Birmingham

8 August 2024

Where is the best place for private cataract surgery in Birmingham?

Birmingham is home to plenty of eye clinics and hospitals that offer cataract surgery. Some of the more well-known places include:

Healthcare provider	Consultation fee	Price of cataract surgery (per eye)	Total
Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham	£95	£1,995	£2,090
Newmedica	Free	£2,295	£2,295
Circle Health Group	£200	£3,243	from £3,443

When choosing a clinic, consider things like the surgeon’s experience, the clinic’s reputation, patient reviews, and how convenient the location is for you.

Private cataract surgery costs in Birmingham

In Birmingham, the average fee for an eye consultation is around £232. For cataract surgery itself, you’re looking at costs roughly ranging between £2,000 to £3,500 per eye.¹

But here’s some good news: if you choose our self-pay option, cataract surgery costs just £1,995 per eye. Plus, you can get a first consultation with an experienced consultant within 2-4 weeks for only £95. This consultation includes tests to get to the bottom of your issue and a treatment plan to get you back to fighting fitness.

The table below provides a list of eye treatments available at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham.

Procedure	Price
Initial consultation (2-4 weeks before surgery)	£95
Cataract surgery (per eye)	£1,995
Premium lenses cataract surgery (per eye)	£2,445
YAG laser capsulotomy	£610
YAG laser capsulotomy – bilateral	£770
Oculoplastics	£3,165

What’s included?

Included in the price of treatment are:

an initial consultation with a cataract specialist
your treatment plan (including your surgery)
any post-operative medication such as eye drops.

Payment options

There are three ways to access treatment for cataracts at Practice Plus Group:

Self-pay private healthcare
Private medical insurance
NHS referral

Waiting times for cataract surgery in Birmingham

The waiting time for cataract surgery in Birmingham can vary depending on the healthcare provider. It ranges from as little as two weeks to well over 19 weeks.²

With Practice Plus Group, you usually get your surgery within 2-4 weeks after your consultation.

Enquire about private cataract surgery

What to expect at our Birmingham hospital

We’ve recently expanded to offer treatments in Birmingham at the former Edgbaston Hospital. This facility, previously known as The BMI Hospital and part of Circle Health Group, is now officially Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham.

Our hospital has undergone extensive renovations to provide best-in-class care and facilities for all our eye patients.

Eye treatments offered

Our ophthalmology team in Birmingham treats a variety of eye conditions, including cataracts.

There are different types of artificial lenses available to restore vision. At Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham, we offer standard and premium cataract lenses:

Monofocal lens – improves distance vision. This is the most common lens used in cataract surgery and is the standard lens used by the NHS
Extended depth of focus (EDOF) lenses – these enhance range of vision. They offer good near, intermediate, and distance vision along with better contrast during day and night
Bifocal SBL-3 – this lens is typically used for patients with a small amount of astigmatism.

We also offer the following non-cataract eye treatments:

YAG laser capsulotomy (including bilateral)
blocked tear duct surgery
eyelid cyst removal
eyelid surgery
lower eyelid surgery
oculoplastics.

Facilities

Our private hospital in Birmingham is a T-shaped building spread over four floors. It features 55 bedrooms, three theatres, an endoscopy suite, outpatient facilities with 10 consulting rooms, an imaging department, a physio area, and plenty of free parking.

Referrals

NHS cataract patients will need to ask their GPs for referrals. Private patients can call the contact centre to book a consultation directly.

Preparing for cataract surgery

Before the surgery, you’ll have a thorough eye examination to assess your condition and overall eye health. The surgeon will explain the procedure, answer any questions you have, and help determine the best type of intraocular lens (IOL) for your needs.

You’ll be given a specific time to arrive at the hospital. Don’t forget to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure!

The procedure

Cataract surgery is usually an outpatient procedure, so you should be able to head home on the same day. Here’s what to expect:

You’ll receive eye drops to dilate your pupil and a local anaesthetic to numb the area around your eye. You might also get a sedative to help you relax if necessary.

The surgeon will make a tiny incision in your eye to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a new intraocular lens (IOL). The whole procedure typically takes about 15-30 minutes.

After the surgery, you’ll spend some time in a recovery area where the medical team will monitor you to ensure there are no immediate complications.

Recovery and aftercare

Most patients notice a big improvement in their vision within just a few days, but complete recovery from cataract surgery can take several weeks. You can usually get back to light activities pretty quickly, but try to steer clear of anything strenuous like heavy lifting for at least a week.

Your surgeon will give you specific advice tailored to your recovery but here’s some general advice on how to take care of your eyes after surgery:

Rest: Give your eyes some rest for a few days. Avoid strenuous activities and keep your eyes protected from dust and water.
Eye drops: You’ll be given eye drops to help prevent infection and reduce inflammation. Make sure to use them as directed.
Follow-up appointments: Don’t skip your follow-up appointments. They’re important for checking that your eye is healing well.
Avoid eye strain: For the first few days, try to limit activities that can strain your eyes, like reading or staring at screens.
Protect your eyes: Wear sunglasses to shield your eyes from bright light and avoid rubbing or touching them.

Getting here

We are located in the leafy Birmingham suburb of Edgbaston, off the M6 motorway. Follow the signs for the A38/Aston Expressway. The Hospital is clearly signposted. There is plenty of free on-site parking at the hospital.

When you arrive please register at reception so we know you’re here. A member of staff will collect you for your appointment.

New Street Train Station is a 10 minute taxi ride away and is also a good option for those not driving themselves.

Our address is:

22 Somerset Road,
Edgbaston,
Birmingham,
West Midlands,
B15 2QQ.

About the area

Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham is located in Edgbaston. A well-known residential area, to the southwest of Birmingham city centre, the hospital is conveniently located and accessible by various transportation options.

Visiting information

Our surgery opening hours are 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham is open to visitors 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Cataract surgeons in Birmingham

To find a surgeon in Birmingham, you can filter by location and treatment on our website.

Why choose Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham?

Our Birmingham eye patients will enjoy:

Fast access to high quality treatment in just 2-4 weeks
Experienced consultant doctors and surgeons
Exceptional standards of care for both NHS and private patients
Prices up to 30% less than other hospitals
Unrivalled CQC ratings.

Cataract surgery is a safe and effective way to restore vision. If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Share your details using the form below and someone from our team will be in touch.

Enquire about private cataract surgery

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Sources and references

¹ PHIN.org

² Birmingham ICB NHS

A patient's guide to private cataract surgery in Birmingham

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Private Birmingham cataract surgery at a glance

Where is the best place for private cataract surgery in Birmingham?