Guide

Cataract surgery in Southampton – a patient guide

Struggling with your eyesight? Suffering from blurred and fuzzy vision? If you’ve got cataracts and live on the south coast of the UK, you may be in need of cataract surgery. Join us as we take a look at what it means to have cataract surgery in Southampton.

Sign above the door reading Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton

Where to get cataract treatment in Southampton

Southampton offers a wide range of options when it comes to cataract surgery. The area boasts five separate NHS facilities capable of offering cataract treatment. These include Southampton General Hospital, Princess Anne Hospital, and the Royal South Hants Hospital. Cataract surgery is also available privately in Southampton at the following providers:

  • Practice Plus Group
  • NewMedica
  • Spire
  • SpaMedica
  • Nuffield Health.

Which hospital is best for cataract operations in Southampton?

While Southampton boasts a host of options for patients needing cataract surgery, we cannot answer this question without an element of bias. Whether you’re a private patient or plan to have your treatment with the NHS, Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton can accommodate your cataract surgery needs.

Eye surgery in Southampton – success rates

According to a patient satisfaction report, between July 2022 and August 2023, 93.75% of patients who attended Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton indicated their experience was ‘Good’. This was based on a sample size of 6,808 patients.

In August 2023, 100% of day ward patients (including eye surgery patients) reported their experience as being ‘Good’. This was based on a sample size of 28.

Why choose Practice Plus Group, Southampton for your surgery?

Along with the high quality care at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton, the cost of treatment is also a crucial factor. Cataract surgery at Practice Plus Group, Southampton (formerly known as Southampton NHS Treatment Centre) costs £1,995. The same procedure at Nuffield Health in Southampton starts from £3,040, while NewMedica charges £2,295.

This means that private cataract surgery at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton is £1,045 less expensive than Nuffield Health, and £300 less than NewMedica.

Life as a patient at Southampton hospital

At Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton (previously known as Southampton NHS Treatment Centre), our consultants boast a wealth of medical experience and teams of specialist nurses help to ensure all our patients’ needs are fully met.

About the hospital and facilities at Southampton

Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton is located in the centre of the city. It is served by several bus routes, and sits a 10 minute taxi ride from the train station, making access to the hospital straightforward. Parking is available onsite but must be paid for upon entry.

Our day ward is spacious and consists of 23 beds, meaning there’s plenty of room for a friend or family member to accompany you during your time with us.

About the procedure and aftercare

Cataract surgery itself only takes between 15 to 30 minutes to complete. Local anaesthetic is administered in the form of eye drops that numb the eye.

Following the procedure, you’ll be supervised for about an hour. Once safe to do so, you’ll then be discharged. You won’t be able to drive for 24 hours, so you’ll need to arrange transport to take you home.

Choosing the best Southampton ophthalmology consultants

Before making a decision, it’s important to remember it isn’t necessarily about choosing the best consultant, but the best consultant for you. Make sure his or her medical experience and qualifications are the best fit for your specific surgery needs.

Our consultants and cataract surgeons at Practice Plus Group, Southampton

All of our surgeons and consultants bring a wealth of medical experience to each and every Practice Plus Group patient.

Our Consultants page provides a list of Practice Plus Group surgeons in Southampton, detailing their qualifications, experience, and suitability for your needs.

Cataracts surgery reviews, testimonials, and patient stories in Southampton

We strive to ensure all of our patients are provided with top quality healthcare from the moment they step into reception. Don’t just take our word for it though, the testimonial below details the experience of a Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton cataract patient.

“I highly recommend Practice Plus Group! I had eye surgery yesterday and can already see clearly!”

Dave, Practice Plus Group cataract surgery patient

What is the waiting time for private cataract surgery in Southampton

According to My Planned Care, the current waiting time for ophthalmology treatment at University NHS Hospital Southampton is 16 weeks.

At Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton, the waiting time for cataract surgery is between four and six weeks. This is part of our Four Week Promise, an initiative that strives to provide cataract surgery within four weeks of an initial patient appointment.

What’s the average cost of cataract surgery in Southampton?

Cataract surgery through the NHS in Southampton is free but features a waiting time that currently lasts 16 weeks.

Based on the cataract surgery costs from Spire, NewMedica, and Optimax, the average cost of private cataract surgery in Southampton is around £2,776. This is roughly £800 more expensive than the same procedure at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton, which stands at £1,995.

Cost of private cataract surgery at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton

Cataract surgery at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton costs £1,995 (plus £95 for the initial consultation). This is around £800 less expensive than the average price of the same procedure from other private healthcare providers in the area.

What are the payment options?

You can pay for your cataract surgery the following ways:

  • pay for yourself: This can be done in one lump sum or paid in instalments via our finance partner, Chrysalis
  • through insurance: If you have health insurance, you can cover the cost of treatment through your policy. Before choosing this route, you will need to check whether cataract surgery is covered by your healthcare insurance provider.

Cataract surgery consultation in Southampton

If you’ve booked in for your initial cataract surgery consultation at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton, 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. The consultant ophthalmologist will ask questions about your medical history and general eye health. The appointment will likely take around 30 minutes to complete.

After your initial consultation, you’ll receive a phone call with 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.

Access private cataract surgery in Southampton

If you’d like to access private eye treatments at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton, 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.

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