Referral – how do I get a referral for cataract surgery?

Your optician will be able to tell you if you’re eligible for cataract surgery and will talk you through the options available to you. You can choose where to have your cataract surgery, whether that’s at your local NHS hospital, an independent hospital, or a private clinic. Many independent hospitals are contracted to perform NHS cataract surgery, so it’s important to remember that choosing an independent provider doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to pay for your cataract surgery.  

If you already know where you want to go for cataract treatment, make sure you tell your optician so they can refer you to the right hospital. If you’re not sure, your optician will be able to offer some advice and recommendations based on their experience and feedback from other cataract patients.