Private cataract op - where to go?

[MissHavershamReturns]

Where is the best place to go for a private cataract operation? It should apparently be included on the BUPA health insurance policy.

Where is safest and limited waiting time? Can you get it done privately at Moorfields? Or an eye hospital in the North West?

Has anyone been through this and has any advice?

Asking for a friend based in the North West!

Is it replacement lens surgery? They will certainly do that at Moorfields private. Moorfields prices arw expensive though, I don’t know if BUPA has a cap on what they will pay out for this kind of operation? For example I know they cap what they will pay for an initial consultant appt and the top consultants usually charge more than the cap.

Just had it done at Moorfields Private and it was covered by BUPA.
MR Ezra, he also practices from:
Platinum Medical Centre, 15-17 Lodge Road, London, NW8 7JA
His secretary: Eloise Heydon: [email protected]

I should mention there was a small extra charge but it wasn’t prohibitive.

Your friend's optician will make the required referral for private cataract surgery in line with their private insurance specifications.

How do you judge "the best"? Some surgeons will do both eyes at the same time if you're a suitable candidate, others use the latest lenses etc. Moorfields have ads all over the tube stations in London so someone has to pay for them. It's a routine operation now, almost a conveyor belt and modern machines are used during surgery. My private op took 5 mins.

My sister has been recommended a company called OCL. They are definitely in the London area. I had my cataract operation on the NHS at Moorfields and they were fabulous. The doctor was Prof Okravi I think.

Thanks so so much everyone- reading now and taking notes!

@Lentil63 and @mdh2020 that’s two great reviews for Moorfields thank you!

@minipie I understand it is the lens replacement. Basically I’m asking for someone who has no idea what to look for to choose a private specialist. I thought maybe private in nhs setting is best?

@MigsandTiggs I think this is exactly what my friend is wondering - what are the different factors she needs to take into account! How did you chose your specialist?

@MissHavershamReturns I trusted my optician and went to the eye surgeon she recommended. I have short sight so opted to have better distance vision and accepted that I would need glasses for reading at closer than arms length. Some surgeons will do one eye for distance and the other for close work, like with contact lenses, but this was not offered as suitable for me.

There was another cataract thread on MN recently where someone said they had had the new Eyhance lenses and now had 20/20 vision, so I would ask about their suitability as not everyone can have them. I wish I had known about them before my September op!

Your friend will have an initial consultation to explain the procedure, manage expectations etc. That cost me £450 for 30 mins but prices vary.

There is a very long NHS waiting list where I am, but I always intended to go private. My friend had hers done on the NHS in Cornwall and said the op took about 30 mins.