Cataract surgery cost calculator
Cataract surgery in Cairo, $600 to $2,500 per eye, all-in.
Phaco + IOL pricing depends on the lens platform, Monofocal, Toric, EDOF (Vivity / Symfony), or Trifocal/Multifocal (PanOptix / AT LISA tri). Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy will recommend the right lens and quote the all-in price. Surgeon with two AAO-published surgical videos, Devers Eye Institute fellowship, 5,000+ procedures on his own operative record over 20+ years.
Free estimate
Cataract surgery cost calculator
Get a personalized USD estimate by IOL type in under two minutes, no obligation.
How much is the cataract affecting your vision?
This helps us prioritize the timing of your surgery.
Is your vision getting cloudy?
Cataract symptoms as you actually see them
A cataract clouds your eye's natural lens, making vision foggy, colors faded, and lights surrounded by large halos. Drag the divider to see the difference.
Driving at night
Large diffuse halos and glare around lights, making night driving unsafe
Read this text clearly
A clear lens is the foundation of sharp vision
Read this text clearly
A clear lens is the foundation of sharp vision
Reading
General fogginess and yellowed colors, as if looking through a dirty window
Eye chart
Blurred, low-contrast letters, temporarily helped by a new glasses prescription, but it returns
Modern cataract surgery restores vision in a single day
Why Dr. Shaarawy for cataract surgery
AAO 2014 annual-meeting poster (Chicago)
Devers Eye Institute fellowship: Portland, Oregon, trained under Prof. Mark A. Terry
Premium IOL platforms: Alcon PanOptix · J&J Vivity · Carl Zeiss AT LISA tri · Symfony
Same Centurion / Stellaris phaco machines used in Western centers
Cost by IOL platform
All prices per eye, all-in (lens + surgeon + OR + anesthesia + 12-month follow-up). Last updated April 2026.
| IOL platform | Cost per eye (EGP / USD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Most common Phaco + Monofocal IOL | EGP 29,000-44,000$600-900 | Patients comfortable wearing reading glasses post-op. Sharpest single-distance vision. |
| For astigmatism Phaco + Toric IOL | EGP 44,000-69,000$900-1,400 | Cataract + clinically significant astigmatism. Removes the need for cylindrical glasses. |
| Most requested Phaco + EDOF IOL (Vivity / Symfony) | EGP 69,000-98,000$1,400-2,000 | Strong distance + intermediate vision (driving, computer). Fewer night halos than older multifocals. |
| Most premium Phaco + Trifocal/Multifocal (PanOptix · AT LISA tri) | EGP 88,000-122,000$1,800-2,500 | Maximum spectacle independence, distance + intermediate + near. Best for active near-work. |
* Prices are per eye. Bilateral patients usually receive a second-eye discount. EGP equivalents at ~49 EGP / $1.
What is included in the price?
Included
Surgeon fee (Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy), surgery, planning, and 12 months of follow-up consultations
OR fee on Centurion / Stellaris phaco platform
Topical anesthesia (drops only, no needles, no stitches)
The IOL itself, Alcon, Johnson & Johnson, or Carl Zeiss premium platforms
Pre-op biometry, topography, and OCT macula workup
All in-clinic post-op medications during the first week
Optional add-ons
Femto-laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) upgrade
Second-eye discount when both eyes are operated
LASIK touch-up if residual refractive error remains
Reading glasses for monofocal IOL patients
Hotel, flights, and visa support for international patients
Long-term follow-up visits (months 6 and 12)
Medical-tourism package
International patients can request an all-in package: surgery + 4-7 nights at a partner hotel near the clinic + airport transfers. WhatsApp us your IOL preference and travel dates for a quote.
Cairo vs UK / Western Europe / Turkey
Why international patients choose Cairo for cataract surgery.
| 🇪🇬 Egypt Dr. Shaarawy | 🇬🇧 UK private | 🇩🇪 W. Europe | 🇹🇷 Turkey | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monofocal IOL | $600-900 | $3,500-5,000 | $2,800-4,000 | $1,200-1,800 |
| Toric IOL | $900-1,400 | $4,500-6,000 | $3,500-4,800 | $1,800-2,500 |
| EDOF / Trifocal IOL | $1,400-2,500 | $6,000-8,500 | $5,000-7,000 | $2,500-4,000 |
| AAO-published surgical videos | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Rare |
| Premium IOL platforms | ✅ All major | ✅ All major | ✅ All major | ✅ All major |
| English support | ✅ Native | ✅ Native | Some | Translator |
| Visa for international patients | Easy / on arrival | Required | Schengen | Easy |
UK / Europe ranges from NHS private clinics, Optegra, Optical Express, Moorfields Private 2026 published rates.
International patient questions
What is the all-in cost of cataract surgery in Cairo for an international patient?
Per eye, depending on the IOL: Monofocal $600-900, Toric $900-1,400, EDOF (Vivity / Symfony) $1,400-2,000, Trifocal/Multifocal (PanOptix / AT LISA tri) $1,800-2,500. Price includes the IOL, surgeon fee, OR fee, topical anesthesia, biometry, and 12 months of follow-up. Hotel, flights, and visa support are quoted separately.
Why is cataract surgery cheaper in Cairo than in the US, UK, or Western Europe?
Lower clinic operating and staff costs in Egypt, not lower clinical standards. We use the same Alcon, Johnson & Johnson, and Carl Zeiss IOL platforms (PanOptix, Vivity, Symfony, Tecnis Synergy), the same phacoemulsification equipment (Centurion / Stellaris), and the same surgical techniques you'd find in any major US or Western European center. Dr. Shaarawy was trained at Devers Eye Institute in Portland, Oregon under Prof. Mark A. Terry.
How do I choose between Monofocal, Toric, EDOF, and Trifocal IOLs?
Monofocal gives the sharpest vision at one distance, so you'll wear reading glasses. Toric adds astigmatism correction on top of monofocal sharpness. EDOF (Vivity, Symfony) provides extended distance and intermediate vision with fewer night halos than older multifocals, great for drivers and computer users. Trifocal/Multifocal (PanOptix, AT LISA tri) splits light across three focal points (distance + intermediate + near) for maximum spectacle independence. Dr. Shaarawy will recommend the right platform after biometry, topography, and OCT.
How long do I need to stay in Cairo for cataract surgery?
3-5 days minimum for a single eye: pre-op exam day, surgery day (10-15 minutes per eye, no needles, no stitches), and a 1-week follow-up. If both eyes are operated we typically schedule them 1-2 weeks apart, so plan a 14-18 day window or two separate visits. Most patients see clearly the next morning and return to normal activity within 1-2 days.
Is cataract surgery painful?
No. Modern phacoemulsification is performed under topical anesthesia (numbing eye drops), no needles around the eye and no stitches. You feel mild pressure but no pain. Surgery takes 10-15 minutes per eye and most international patients are walking out of the clinic 30-45 minutes after entry.
Who is a candidate for premium IOLs (EDOF / Multifocal)?
Patients who want to reduce or eliminate dependence on glasses after cataract surgery. Premium IOLs work best in eyes with no significant macular disease (macular OCT must be clean), well-controlled astigmatism, healthy corneal endothelium, and realistic expectations. Eyes with prior LASIK / PRK can still get premium IOLs but the calculation is more complex, Dr. Shaarawy uses Barrett True-K and the ASCRS post-refractive calculator for these cases.
What is the deposit?
A deposit of 25,000 EGP (approximately $500) holds your surgery date and lets us order the specific IOL power for your eye from the distributor. The deposit is deducted from the total cost. Cancellation and refund terms are set out in the contract we send you when the deposit is paid, so there are no surprises.
What if I develop after-cataract (PCO) months or years later?
A proportion of patients develop posterior capsular opacification (PCO), a normal clouding of the back of the lens capsule months to years post-op. Published rates vary widely with lens type and follow-up length, so we do not quote a single figure. The fix is a 5-minute YAG laser capsulotomy in the clinic, no pain, no anesthesia, no needles, vision restored immediately. YAG at our clinic is approximately $150-200 per eye.
Ready to know which IOL is right for you?
Use the calculator above for an instant USD estimate, or send us your name, age, and any prior eye history on WhatsApp, Dr. Shaarawy reviews every international cataract inquiry personally before quoting.
The consultation itself is 900 EGP (about $18).
Price sources & references
- Cornea Clinic internal pricing, 2026 schedule, reviewed monthly.
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. Cataract in the Adult Eye Preferred Practice Pattern. Ophthalmology. 2022;129(1):P1-P126 (PMID 34780842).
- Alcon, Johnson & Johnson Vision, Carl Zeiss Meditec, IOL platform specifications 2026.
- UK / EU comparison ranges: NHS private rate cards, Optegra, Moorfields Private, Optical Express 2026.
- EGP/USD conversions based on April 2026 exchange rate (~49 EGP / $1).