Healthcare & Appointments
How long does cataract surgery take?
Estimated wait
~20 minutes
Based on published sources
By case
- Faster cases~17 minutes
- Average cases~20 minutes
- Slower casesUp to 30 minutes
This is the time in theatre, not the recovery. Blurred vision in the first 48 hours is normal; most people notice a clear improvement within days, everyday recovery takes about two weeks, and the final sharpness settles roughly 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. Follow your clinic's aftercare instructions. General information, not medical advice.
The cataract operation itself is short — usually well under 20 minutes per eye. It is done as a day case under local anaesthetic: the eye is dilated and numbed with drops, the clouded lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial one.
More details
You will be at the clinic considerably longer than the operation, because of the preparation, the drops taking effect and a short observation afterwards.
Last updated: 20 Jul 2026
Information is for general knowledge only.