Should you wait on the NHS or go private for cataract surgery?
A four-question tool from Mr Mohamed Mohyudin, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon in Yorkshire. One of the answers is “do not pay yet”.
Quick answer
Stay on the NHS if you are coping and only need a standard monofocal lens. Consider private care if daily vision is failing, you want a toric or multifocal implant, or you want a named consultant at a date you choose. Sudden vision loss is eye casualty, not a booking form.
Are you having sudden vision loss, a dark curtain, or new flashes and floaters right now?
How do the Yorkshire pathways compare?
Yorkshire patients choose among a free NHS list, a clinic-floor private package, or a named consultant at Spire Elland. The right path depends on wait tolerance, lens choice, and whether the same surgeon in theatre matters to you.
| Pathway | Starting cost | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| NHS list (trust or commissioned) | £0 | If you are coping and can wait |
| High-volume private clinic | From £2,295 (Newmedica public list, 13 Aug 2026) | If headline price is the main decision |
| Named consultant at Spire Elland | From £3,000 (July 2026) | If continuity, mixed eyelid/squint, or hospital list matters |
Sources: Newmedica public price page and this practice’s July 2026 packages. Optegra Standard from £2,895 is another clinic-hospital band — see the full comparison. Not a personal quote.