Cataract Surgery Cost: Australia vs United Kingdom (2026)
65% lower in the United Kingdom
The reference price for cataract surgery is $1,009 in the United Kingdom and $2,867 in Australia, a difference of about $1,858.
Side-by-side prices
| Country | Price type | Published range (local) | Reference (local) | Reference in USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | National efficient price, public hospital (minor complexity) | A$4,083 – A$4,083 | A$4,083 | $2,867 |
| United Kingdom | NHS national unit price (fewest other health problems) | £755 – £781 | £755 | $1,009 |
Cataract Surgery price detail: Australia
| AR-DRG | Admission type | Price weight | Price | In USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C16Z | Lens interventions | 0.5504 | A$4,083 | $2,867 |
Cataract Surgery price detail: United Kingdom
| HRG code | Patient complexity | NHS price | In USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| BZ34C | CC score 0-1 | £755 | $1,009 |
| BZ34B | CC score 2-3 | £781 | $1,044 |
| BZ34A | CC score 4+ | £781 | $1,044 |
What each price includes
- Australia: National efficient price, public hospital (minor complexity). The whole public hospital admission: the operation, implant or device, nursing, medicines and an average length of stay for that type of admission. Public patients in Australian public hospitals pay nothing: the national efficient price is what governments use to fund the hospital.
- United Kingdom: NHS national unit price (fewest other health problems). The whole hospital stay for the operation: surgery, theatre, the implant or device, nursing, medicines and a normal length of stay. Very long stays get an extra daily payment. NHS patients do not pay this price: NHS hospital treatment is free at the point of use for people who live in the UK.
About cataract surgery
Cataract surgery removes the clouded natural lens of the eye and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). The most common technique is phacoemulsification, where the lens is broken up with ultrasound through a small incision. It is usually a day-care procedure done under local anaesthesia, one eye at a time. The type of artificial lens chosen has a large effect on the final price.
Before travelling for treatment, also budget for flights, accommodation, recovery time and follow-up care, and check the hospital's accreditation and whether your insurance covers treatment abroad.
Frequently asked questions
Is cataract surgery cheaper in the United Kingdom or Australia?
Are these prices directly comparable?
Sources
- Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA). National Efficient Price Determination 2026–27 and price weight tables (NEP26 = A$7,418 per NWAU). www.ihacpa.gov.au/resources/national-efficient-price-determination-202. Retrieved 25 October 2026.
- NHS England. 2026/27 NHS Payment Scheme, Annex A: prices workbook (updated August 2026). www.england.nhs.uk/publication/2026-27-nhs-payment-scheme/. Retrieved 25 October 2026.
- European Central Bank. Euro foreign exchange reference rates (2026-10-23). www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/eurofxref/eurofxref-daily.xml. Retrieved 25 October 2026.
Important: These are published reference prices and estimates, not a quote, and not medical advice. Actual costs depend on the hospital, your health, the exact treatment and your insurance. Always confirm the price with the provider before treatment. Read our disclaimer · Report an error
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- Cataract Surgery cost in Australia
- Cataract Surgery cost in the United Kingdom
- Cataract Surgery cost in all countries
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