If you need cataract surgery and live in the Plymouth area, you might be busy researching hospitals and medical centres that can meet your needs. There’s likely a whole list of options that can accommodate you, but you need to consider what works best for you. This article explores cataract surgery in Plymouth and aims to provide you with the answers you’re looking for.
Where to get cataract treatment in Plymouth
While Plymouth boasts a range of healthcare options – both NHS and private – only three hospitals are able to offer cataract surgery. These are Newmedica, Nuffield Health and Practice Plus Group.
Which hospital is best for cataract operations in Plymouth?
Plymouth offers a range of healthcare options capable of solving your cataract issues. However, we cannot answer this question without giving an unashamedly biased answer. Whether you’re a private patient or seeking care through the NHS, Practice Plus Group Hospital, Plymouth offers top-quality eye care from the moment you walk through the door, to your post-cataract-surgery recovery.
Eye surgery in Plymouth – success rates
According to a patient satisfaction report for April 2023, 100% of 89 Ophthalmic patients reported their experience at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Plymouth was ‘Good’.
Why choose Practice Plus Group, Plymouth for your surgery?
So, we’ve arrived at the sales pitch part. But don’t worry, there’s no trawling through Powerpoint presentations with stock images of smiling doctors. The list below details why Practice Plus Group Hospital, Plymouth should be on your list for treatment.
- Price – cataract surgery at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Plymouth costs £1,995. The same procedure at Nuffield Health will set you back £3,698, while at Newmedica Plymouth it costs £2,295. This means private cataract surgery at Practice Plus Group, Plymouth is £1,703 less expensive than Nuffield Health and £300 cheaper than Newmedica.
- Waiting times – thanks to our short waiting times, you’ll have your surgery in just 4-6 weeks after your initial consultation.
- Consultant expertise – whether you visit us as a day patient or need a slightly longer period of treatment, you’ll be given the best care and the undivided attention of our experienced and professional team.
The most affordable private cataract surgery in Plymouth
Cataract surgery at Nuffield Health costs £3,698, while the same procedure at Newmedica in Plymouth costs £2,295. At Practice Plus Group Hospital, Plymouth, we’re proud to offer cataract surgery for £1,995. This means we’re £1,703 less expensive than Nuffield Health and £300 cheaper than Newmedica.
State-of-the-art hospital facilities at Plymouth
At Practice Plus Group, Plymouth, cataract patients will benefit from state-of-the-art facilities and the wealth of our consultants’ experience.
You’ll also be able to enjoy free onsite parking, while any accompanying friends or family members will be able to enjoy the onsite charity-run cafe.
Take the Plymouth Hospital tour!
First-class surgical procedures and post-operative care
Prior to surgery, you should continue to take any medication you’re currently on unless your doctor advises otherwise.
The procedure itself takes between 15 minutes and half an hour to complete. You’ll be given local anaesthetic in the form of eye drops that numb the eye.
During the procedure, your eye will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution. A drape is placed over your eye. This is lifted off your face and air blown under the drape. We monitor your breathing and pulse during the surgery.
The cataract is removed by phaco-emulsification. This technique uses an ultrasonic probe to break up the old lens. Your surgeon will insert the artificial lens implant into your eye. You may hear the ultrasound and may see more clearly when the new lens is inserted.
Stitches are not normally needed but may be used at this stage if necessary.
Following the surgery, you’ll be supervised to ensure you’re safe to be discharged. You won’t be able to drive for about 24 hours following your surgery, so you will need someone to drive you home.
As your vision will still be blurred after the operation, a responsible adult must take you home and stay with you for at least 24 hours. If the eye is uncomfortable, please use your normal pain tablets.
When you go home, you’ll be given instructions on how to care for your affected eye. These will include post-operative eye drops. It’s important to prevent infection by following the instructions given. As with in everyday life, practising good hand hygiene whilst using the eye drops is crucial.
If you previously wore glasses or contact lenses, you might find these are no longer needed.
You will be given contact details should you have any concerns or worries post-operatively.
Eye health is important and we advocate a healthy lifestyle that supports healthy eyesight. If you need support to give up smoking or lose weight, you will be able to speak to our healthcare team. It is also important to protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses or eye shields when outdoors.
Did you know?
Around 36 million people across the world are blind. Over 12 million of these are blind due to cataracts1.
Choosing the best eye surgeon in Plymouth
When researching ahead of your eye treatment in Plymouth, one factor you’ll want to take into account is the level of expertise of your surgeon. Some things you may want to look out for regarding surgeons are:
- their qualifications
- their level of medical experience
- the amount of relevant experience they have with cataract surgery.
Our consultants and cataract surgeons at Practice Plus Group, Plymouth
At Practice Plus Group, Plymouth, all of our surgeons bring a wealth of expertise and knowledge to each and every patient experience.
Our consultants page provides a list of Practice Plus Group surgeons in Plymouth, detailing their qualifications and experience.
Cataract surgery reviews, testimonials and patient stories in Plymouth
The quote below documents the experience of a cataract patient at Practice Plus Group, Plymouth.
“I had two cataract operations by the same surgeon and she was excellent! Both eyes are now perfect and operations went without a hitch. The aftercare was superb!”
Cataract patient, Practice Plus Group, Plymouth
How long is the wait for cataract surgery in Plymouth?
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, cataract surgery waiting times have increased as hospitals struggle with the backlog.
Waiting list times for cataract surgery at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Plymouth are just 4-6 weeks after your initial consultation.
What’s the average cost of cataract surgery in Plymouth?
It’s tricky to provide an average for cataract surgery costs in Plymouth. This is because there are only three hospital sites that provide private treatment for cataract surgery. The cost of cataract surgery with Nuffield Health in Plymouth is £3,698, while the same procedure at Newmedica costs £2,295.
Cataract surgery at Practice Plus Group, Plymouth costs £1,995. This makes Practice Plus Group the most affordable option, saving you up to £1,703.
Cost of cataract surgery at Practice Plus Group, Plymouth
The cost of cataract surgery at Practice Plus Group, Plymouth is £1,995. This is £1,703 cheaper than the same procedure at Nuffield Health and £300 less than the price quoted by Newmedica Plymouth.
With Practice Plus Group, we are committed to honest and transparent pricing. The price you see is the price you’ll pay, regardless of your aftercare.
What are the payment options?
You can pay for your cataract surgery in a number of ways. First, you can choose to pay for yourself. This can be done in one lump sum or paid in instalments via our finance partner, Chrysalis.
You can also cover the cost of your treatment as an insured patient. Before choosing this route, you will need to check whether cataract surgery is covered by your healthcare insurance provider.
Cataract surgery consultation in Plymouth
If you’ve booked in for your initial cataract surgery consultation at Practice Plus Group, Plymouth, you’re probably wondering what comes next. You’ll likely have been sent a letter confirming the date of your initial appointment. This is usually within two or three weeks of your referral.
During your initial appointment, you’ll likely have an assessment to test your visual field. This will likely take around 30 minutes to complete.
After your initial consultation, you’ll receive a phone call detailing the date of your eye surgery.
If you require cataract treatment on both eyes, surgery for the second eye will be scheduled around three or four months after the surgery on your first eye.
Cataract surgeon Q&A
Access private cataract surgery in Plymouth
If you’d like to access private eye treatments at Practice Plus Group, Plymouth, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We pride ourselves on our ability to provide top-quality healthcare to all our private patients, regardless of the type of treatment they need.
Sources and references
1 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence – How common are cataracts?
Acknowledgements
This article was completed with the help of Teresa Anthony, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Practice Plus Group. Dr Anthony completed her postgraduate degree in Ophthalmology in Mumbai, India. She then trained in the UK at a number of the UK’s leading NHS hospitals, obtaining the FRCS degree in Ophthalmology. Dr Anthony subsequently sub-specialised in oculoplastic surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, and is a member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
Over the last few years Practice Plus Group has grown its Marketing Team to include art workers, campaign and social media managers, content editors, and digital analysts. Together, they provide a responsive and comprehensive service, ensuring all content is on-brand and in-line with relevant medical guidelines.
View profile
