Average cost
£500–£1200
Typical range
£300–£2000
Species
Dog & Cat
Category
Surgery
Anaesthesia
Required
How much does eye surgery cost?
Eye Surgery typically costs £500–£1200 in the UK, though prices can range from £300 to £2000 depending on your location, the practice, and your pet's individual circumstances.
Costs are UK averages based on publicly available data. Actual prices vary by practice, location, and animal size.
What affects the price?
| Factor | Impact on cost | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Type of procedure | Simple procedures like cherry eye repair cost far less than cataract surgery or enucleation | Cherry eye repair at £300–£600 vs cataract surgery at £1,500–£2,000 per eye |
| Specialist referral | Complex eye surgeries often require a veterinary ophthalmologist, which increases cost | £300–£800 at a general practice vs £1,000–£2,000 at an ophthalmology specialist |
| Both eyes vs one | Bilateral surgery is more expensive, though some vets offer a reduced rate for the second eye | £500 for one eye vs £800–£900 for both at the same time |
| Location | London and the South East charge a premium for specialist surgical procedures | £800–£2,000 in London vs £400–£1,200 in the North |
What's included in the price?
- Pre-operative eye examination and assessment
- General anaesthesia and monitoring
- Surgical procedure
- Post-operative medication (eye drops, pain relief)
- Buster collar to prevent rubbing
- Follow-up appointment at 5–7 days
What to expect
Eye surgery in pets covers a range of ophthalmic procedures including cherry eye repair, entropion/ectropion correction, eyelid tumour removal, corneal ulcer surgery, cataract removal, and enucleation (eye removal). The specific procedure depends on the condition affecting your pet's eye. Most are performed under general anaesthesia, sometimes by a specialist veterinary ophthalmologist.
When is it needed? Your pet may need eye surgery if they have a visible prolapsed third eyelid gland (cherry eye), inward-rolling eyelids causing irritation (entropion), a corneal ulcer that has not healed with medication, cataracts affecting their vision, or a painful or damaged eye that cannot be saved. Signs to watch for include squinting, redness, excessive tearing, cloudiness, or a visible change in the eye's appearance.
Recovery time: Recovery varies by procedure. Cherry eye and entropion repairs typically heal within 2–3 weeks. Cataract surgery requires strict rest and intensive eye drop regimes for 4–6 weeks. Enucleation heals within 10–14 days. A buster collar or protective cone is essential throughout recovery to stop your pet rubbing the eye.
