How Much Does Private Macular Degeneration Treatment Cost?

If you’ve been diagnosed with wet AMD or are awaiting a referral, you likely already understand the importance of acting fast. In the NHS, delays of several weeks are not uncommon — yet vision loss from AMD can be permanent if not treated early.

NHS vs Private: Waiting Times and Fees

• NHS: No cost for eligible patients, but treatment is only offered when vision meets certain thresholds. Often delays in getting an appointment and longer still to then receive your injection.

• Private treatment for wet AMD: Immediate access, consultant-led care, flexible scheduling — but costs are self-funded.

For many patients, the value lies in avoiding sight loss, particularly if your vision hasn't yet deteriorated enough for NHS treatment.

Choosing private care can offer several advantages:

• Shorter wait times: Private clinics often schedule your initial assessment and treatments much faster than NHS services. There is clear evidence that the sooner you start injections after developing wet AMD the higher your chance of preserving more vision.
• World-class expertise: Mr. Dilraj Sahota has medical training from Oxford University and Fellowship training in Medical Retina and AMD from Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. He offers leading expertise and use advanced imaging (OCT angiography) for precise diagnosis.
• Latest treatments: We have access to all licensed therapies and clinical trials, ensuring you receive the newest AMD treatments as soon as possible. There are no NHS treatment constraints (under the NHS your vision must meet a certain criteria to be allowed to be treated)
• Personalised care: Appointments are tailored to you, with more time to address concerns and create a bespoke treatment plan. In the NHS you will usually have your injection performed by a nurse practitioner who will most likely not examined the back of your eyes, or OCT scans themselves, leading to fragmented care that is not consultant-delivered throughout.
• Comprehensive ocular services: In addition to AMD, we also manage conditions like ocular surface disease and dry eyes, cataract, uveitis, glaucoma and other conditions that affect the macula such as retinal vein occlusion thus providing end-to-end eye care.

How much do private injections for macular degeneration cost in the UK?
Private AMD injections typically cost between £500 and £850 depending on the drug. This does not include imaging and consultant fees. Nor does it include the facility fee so typically each injection episode would be upwards of £1500 per injection.

Can I use private insurance to cover AMD treatment?
Some private insurers cover wet AMD treatment with drugs like Lucentis or Eylea. You’ll need to check your specific policy.

Is private AMD treatment worth the cost?
For many patients, early treatment helps preserve central vision, prevent legal blindness, and reduce long-term costs of visual impairment. On the NHS there are strict visual criteria that mean that you only qualify for treatment if your vision is worse than a certain level. There are no such limits on treating wet AMD in the private sector.