Private Ophthalmologist in Sutton Coldfield
Consultant ophthalmologist for cataract surgery, YAG laser capsulotomy, glaucoma assessment, dry eye disease, and macular degeneration. Surgery from £2,800 per eye. Consultation from £260 — seen within 7 days.
Eye health problems — cataracts blurring your vision, raised pressure suggesting glaucoma, floaters that appeared suddenly — require assessment by a consultant ophthalmologist, not an optician. At The Vesey, Mr Amit Patel (FRCOphth) sees patients within a week for the full range of ophthalmic conditions, with cataract surgery available at the clinic or at an associated surgical facility.
Conditions we treat
Mr Patel assesses and manages the full range of ophthalmic conditions. The tiles below are grouped by area — most patients come with a single concern but often leave with multiple things addressed in one appointment.
- Age-related cataract
- Posterior subcapsular cataract
- Nuclear sclerosis
- Congenital cataract
- Post-surgical cataract
- Phacoemulsification surgery; premium IOL options
- Open-angle glaucoma
- Ocular hypertension (OHT)
- Angle-closure glaucoma
- Normal-tension glaucoma
- Glaucoma monitoring & medication
- Short-sightedness & long-sightedness
- Astigmatism & presbyopia
- Pre-laser assessment
- Post-LASIK complications
- Macular degeneration (AMD)
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Epiretinal membrane
- Floaters and flashes assessment
- Retinal detachment referral
- Dry eye disease
- Keratoconus
- Corneal dystrophies
- Pterygium
- Corneal abrasion
- Blepharitis
- Chalazion
- Ectropion / entropion
- Ptosis assessment
- Lid lesion removal
Procedures & transparent pricing
Every price below is the fee charged at The Vesey, inclusive where stated. You will always receive a clear itemised quote before any procedure begins.
| Procedure | What's included | From |
|---|---|---|
| New ophthalmology consultation | 45 mins · history, examination, refraction | £260 |
| Comprehensive glaucoma assessment | IOP + visual fields + OCT disc analysis | £320 |
| Cataract surgery (monofocal IOL, all-inclusive) | Day-case · local anaesthetic | £2,800/eye |
| Cataract surgery (premium multifocal/toric IOL) | Day-case · reduced spectacle dependence | £3,500/eye |
| YAG laser capsulotomy | 5-min outpatient procedure · both eyes quoted separately | £600/eye |
| Dry eye assessment + meibomian evaluation | Full assessment + treatment plan | £240 |
| Follow-up consultation | 30 mins · same consultant | £190 |
Prices accurate as of July 2026. Multi-element procedures and complex cases quoted individually. Anaesthetic and facility costs included where listed.
What to expect
From booking to discharge, this is what happens. Most patients are surprised how quickly the whole journey moves compared with equivalent NHS pathways.
Slit-lamp, fundoscopy, IOP measurement, visual acuity and refraction — full ophthalmic assessment.
OCT, visual fields, corneal topography as clinically indicated — all on-site.
IOL Master biometry, anaesthetic choice, consent — all arranged ahead of surgery day.
Day-case, local anaesthetic. Home within 2–3 hours with written discharge instructions.
How we compare
Local patients regularly compare us with Optical Express, Spire, and the NHS. Here is an honest like-for-like.
- ✓ FRCOphth consultant
- ✓ Premium IOL options incl. multifocal/toric
- ✓ Same-day OCT and visual fields
- ✓ Open Sundays
- ✓ No referral needed
- ✓ Free parking
- ✕ Corporate / chain model
- ✕ Variable consultant seniority
- ✓ Multiple locations
- ✓ Insurance accepted
- ✕ Limited Sunday availability
- ✕ GP referral often required
- ✕ 18+ month wait in West Midlands
- ✕ No premium IOL option
- ✓ Free at point of use
- ✕ Strict VA criteria (6/12 or worse)
- ✕ Limited choice of consultant
- ✕ Limited follow-up time
Comparator prices are typical published self-pay fees as of July 2026 and vary by consultant and time of year.
From our consultant
“Cataracts are the world's most common cause of reversible blindness — and they're fixed in 20 minutes. The surgery has an excellent safety profile, and most patients are genuinely astonished at the clarity of vision within 24 hours. I always say: don't wait until you can't drive.”
Mr Amit Patel · Consultant Ophthalmologist, The Vesey
Cataract surgery — what to expect
Cataract surgery at The Vesey uses phacoemulsification — ultrasound energy to break up the cloudy lens, which is then replaced with a synthetic IOL (intraocular lens). Standard monofocal IOLs correct either distance or near vision; premium multifocal and toric (astigmatism-correcting) lenses reduce spectacle dependence. Surgery is performed under local anaesthetic drops, takes 20–30 minutes, and is day-case. Most patients notice vision improvement within 24 hours.
Mr Patel uses the IOL Master for biometric measurements, ensuring lens power is calculated to the highest precision. All-inclusive pricing means no surprise bills — the surgery fee (from £2,800/eye monofocal, £3,500/eye premium) covers the procedure, IOL, anaesthetic, and follow-up.
YAG laser capsulotomy — the second procedure most cataract patients need
After cataract surgery, approximately 20–30% of patients experience posterior capsule opacification (PCO) — a secondary ‘cataract’ caused by cells growing on the membrane holding the IOL. It causes the same blurring and glare as the original cataract.
YAG laser capsulotomy is a 5-minute outpatient procedure using a laser to create an opening in the cloudy membrane. Instant improvement in most patients; no incision, no patch, drive home the same day. At The Vesey, YAG laser is available from £600 per eye. It is also used after some procedures to clear the posterior capsule if required.
Frequently asked questions
How much does cataract surgery cost at The Vesey?
From £2,800 per eye (monofocal IOL, all-inclusive). Premium multifocal or toric IOL from £3,500 per eye. All-inclusive means the surgery, lens, anaesthetic and follow-up are covered. Initial consultation £260.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. Book directly. Bring any previous eye test results or letters from your optician.
Is cataract surgery painful?
No. Performed under anaesthetic drops (topical anaesthesia). Most patients feel mild pressure during the 20-minute procedure. No injections required in most cases.
What is YAG laser capsulotomy?
A 5-minute outpatient laser procedure for posterior capsule opacification (PCO) — a secondary blurring that affects 20–30% of patients after cataract surgery. Immediate improvement in most cases. £600 per eye at The Vesey.
Can you diagnose and treat glaucoma?
Yes. Mr Patel provides full glaucoma assessment including IOP, OCT disc analysis and visual fields (£320). Monitoring and medication management available. Laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) arranged via referral if needed.
How long does cataract surgery take?
The procedure itself takes 20–30 minutes. Total time in clinic on surgery day is approximately 2–3 hours including preparation, surgery, and initial recovery before discharge.
Can I drive after cataract surgery?
Not on the day of surgery. Most patients can drive again within 24–48 hours once vision has stabilised. We provide written discharge instructions.
Will I still need glasses after cataract surgery?
With a monofocal IOL, most patients still need reading glasses. With a premium multifocal IOL, many patients are spectacle-independent or nearly so. We discuss this with you at the consultation.
Does insurance cover cataract surgery?
Yes, all major insurers including Bupa, Vitality, AXA and Aviva cover cataract surgery. NHS criteria are stricter (VA must usually be 6/12 or worse), so private care offers earlier access. Pre-authorisation required.
I've developed new floaters — should I be worried?
Sudden onset of flashes of light combined with new floaters can indicate a retinal tear. Contact us within 24–48 hours for urgent assessment. Gradual increase in floaters alone is usually benign but warrants review.
Consultant ophthalmologist in Sutton Coldfield
Cataracts, glaucoma, YAG laser. Seen within 7 days. From £260.
Free reschedule with 48+ hours' notice · Pay per visit · CQC reg. 1-13508890408
Conditions we treat
Detailed patient information for each topic — symptoms, investigation, treatment options and pricing.