FairWaitOphthalmology (eyes) appointment waiting times and costs in the UK
Official NHS waiting times for ophthalmology (eyes) appointment at every hospital in England, and how Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland compare, plus what it costs to go private. Figures from July 2026, checked daily.
Shortest NHS waits in England for ophthalmology
The 15 hospitals with the shortest median wait, out of 315 hospitals treating NHS patients. Private hospitals here treat NHS patients for free on a GP referral. Figures are for each NHS trust or provider as a whole.
| Hospital / trust | Type | Region | Median wait so far | Within 18 weeks | Waiting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spamedica Ipswich Diagnostic & Treatment Centre | Private · takes NHS | East of England | 2 wk | 100% | 33 |
| Spamedica Newcastle-Under-Lyme | Private · takes NHS | West Midlands | 2 wk | 97.7% | 347 |
| Practice Plus Group Hospital - Plymouth | Private · takes NHS | South West | 3 wk | 98.8% | 81 |
| ACES Southampton | Private · takes NHS | South East | 3 wk | 97.9% | 47 |
| Bishops Wood Hospital | Private · takes NHS | London | 3 wk | 97.8% | 45 |
| The Berkshire Independent Hospital | Private · takes NHS | South East | 3 wk | 96.6% | 89 |
| ACES Liverpool | Private · takes NHS | North West | 3 wk | 92.1% | 63 |
| Benenden Hospital | Private · takes NHS | South East | 3 wk | 84.3% | 102 |
| Norwich & Norfolk Surgical Ltd (N2s) | Private · takes NHS | East of England | 3 wk | 97% | 398 |
| Spamedica Bexhill | Private · takes NHS | South East | 4 wk | 94.8% | 229 |
| Anglia Community Eye Service - Thetford Healthy Living Centre | Private · takes NHS | East of England | 4 wk | 97.9% | 292 |
| Spamedica Bedford | Private · takes NHS | East of England | 4 wk | 90.3% | 278 |
| Spamedica Derby | Private · takes NHS | East Midlands | 4 wk | 92.5% | 402 |
| Spamedica Epsom | Private · takes NHS | South East | 4 wk | 91.4% | 336 |
| Spamedica Oxford | Private · takes NHS | South East | 4 wk | 89.9% | 199 |
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Each nation publishes its own figures, measured differently, so they're shown separately (specialty: ophthalmology).
Scotland
Half of the 30,341 people waiting for treatment had waited 118 days or less so far; 90% had waited less than 327 days (month ending 31 August 2026). Shortest by NHS board: The�Golden Jubilee National Hospital (20 days), NHS Western Isles (34 days), NHS Highland (55 days).
Wales
80,062 patient pathways waiting; 44.1% for 26 weeks or more and 15.1% for over a year (July 2026). Wales doesn't publish a median wait.
Northern Ireland
8,600 people waiting for treatment (quarter ending 30 June 2026). Median wait so far by trust: South Eastern 6 wk, Western 13 wk, Belfast 25 wk (worked out from published week bands, so approximate).
Common questions
How long is the NHS wait for ophthalmology (eyes) appointment?
In England, half of the 622,947 people currently waiting for ophthalmology treatment had been waiting 10 wks or less so far, and 72.9% within 18 weeks (July 2026; the NHS standard is 92%). It varies a lot by hospital: the shortest median above is 2 wk. The NHS publishes waits by specialty, not by individual operation, so this is the wait for the specialty that treats it.
How much does ophthalmology (eyes) appointment cost privately in the UK?
Typically £180–£280 as a self-pay patient. This is a FairWait estimate from published price lists — prices vary by hospital and consultant, so ask for a written quote. On the NHS it's free.
Can I choose a hospital with a shorter wait?
In England you have the legal right to choose where you're referred for most planned hospital treatment, including private hospitals that treat NHS patients, at no cost. Ask your GP, or see the NHS guide to choosing a hospital.
Sources: NHS England — Referral to Treatment waiting times (July 2026) · Public Health Scotland · Welsh Government (StatsWales) · Department of Health (NI). Private prices are FairWait estimates. All data sources.