Eye Health
Eye Health
Cataract Surgery Costs in 2025: Fees for Public and Private Hospitals & Clinics
Author
Bowtie Team
Updated on
2025-11-17
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
Curious about 2025 cataract surgery costs? Wonder if the government offers subsidies for patients or which insurance plans cover expenses? Let the Bowtie team break it all down for you with expert advice!
Reference Fees for Public Hospitals in Hong Kong
| Public Hospital | Surgical Procedures | Price |
| Public Hospital | Phacoemulsification for Cataract | $37,800 to $48,850 |
| Phacoemulsification with Intraocular Lens Implantation for Cataract | $48,850 to $59,950 |
- * The above fees are for reference only (updated as of April 23, 2025). For details, please inquire with the Hospital Authority.
Reference Fees for Private Hospitals in Hong Kong
| Private Hospital | Surgical Procedures | Day Surgery Price # | Inpatient Surgery Price # |
| Precious Blood Hospital | Cataract Surgery (Phacoemulsification) with Intraocular Lens Implantation | $20,614 | Not applicable |
| Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital | Cataract Surgery (Local Anesthesia, Monofocal Lens) | $25,230 | $43,931 |
| St. Paul’s Hospital | Phacoemulsification with Intraocular Lens Implantation | $28,250 | $90,767 |
| Hong Kong Baptist Hospital | Ultrasonic Lens Emulsification and Aspiration + Intraocular Lens Implantation | $23,800 | $58,736 |
| St. Te resa’s Hospital |
Phacoemulsification with Intraocular Lens Implantation | $24,667 | $53,461 |
| Gleneagles Hospit al Hong Kong |
Ultrasonic Lens Emulsification and Aspiration + Intraocular Lens Implantation | $22,600 | $32,150 |
| CUHK Medical Centre | Ultrasonic Lens Emulsification and Aspiration + Intraocular Lens Implantation | $32,920 | $58,003 |
| Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Stubbs Road | Phacoemulsification and Intraocular Lens Implantation for Cataract | $51,662 | $58,592 |
| Evangel Hospital | Cataract Surgery – Phacoemulsification with Intraocular Lens Implantation | $20,800 | Not applicable |
| Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Tsuen Wan | Phacoemulsification and Intraocular Lens Implantation for Cataract | $18,093 | $49,051 |
| Union Hospital | Phacoemulsification with Intraocular Lens Implantation (Local Anesthesia) | $19,850 | $37,940 |
- # The above surgery fees are the median from past statistics, sourced from hospital official websites (updated as of April 23, 2025).
- * The above fees include doctor fees and hospitalization fees.
Clinic Fee References
| Clinic | Surgery Item | Price |
| Union Hospital Eye Centre | Cataract removal and artificial lens implantation (single eye / day surgery) | $20,100 |
| Hong Kong Nobel Eye Centre | Minimally invasive phacoemulsification cataract surgery | $20,000 |
| Hong Kong Eye Surgery Centre | Minimally invasive phacoemulsification + monofocal artificial lens | $18,000 – $23,000 |
| Minimally invasive phacoemulsification + multifocal artificial lens | $28,000 – $33,000 | |
| Clear Cataract Centre | Cataract phacoemulsification + monofocal artificial lens | $20,000 – $34,000 |
| Cataract phacoemulsification + multifocal artificial lens | $30,000 – $52,000 | |
| Po Shing Eye Surgery Centre | Cataract phacoemulsification + monofocal artificial lens | $20,000 onwards (inquire by phone) |
- * The above fee prices are for reference only (updated as of April 23, 2025); for details, please inquire with the relevant clinics.
Does Government Subsidize Cataract Surgery?
Those who have been waiting in public hospitals for more than 18 months for general cases and are suitable for local Anesthesia surgery are eligible to participate in the “ ataract Surgeries Programme (CSP) ” (a government-funded subsidy program).
The purpose of this program is to provide medical services through public-private partnerships, increasing the number of cataract surgeries to shorten waiting times for Hospital Authority patients. Patients opting for private doctor services can receive a HK$8,000 subsidy for cataract surgery, with patients only needing to pay no more than HK$8,000 out-of-pocket. This program includes monofocal artificial lens implants; if patients require multifocal lenses, private doctors will charge more than HK$8,000, and for details on additional fees, please inquire with the relevant private doctor.
Learn more about the ataract Surgeries Programme (CSP) details
What Insurance Covers Cataract Surgery?
Bowtie VHIS can cover cataract surgery, with the coverage items and amounts as follows:
| Coverage Items | Coverage Amount ( Surgeon’s Fee) | ||
| Bowtie VHIS– | Bowtie VHIS– | Bowtie Pink VHIS | |
| Cataract Phacoemulsification Surgery with Intraocular Lens Implantation (Medium Surgery) | $12,500* | Regular: $15,000*
Plus: $22,500* |
Full Reimbursement # |
Beyond the surgeon’s fee, Bowtie VHIS also covers other surgery costs, such as the attending doctor’s rounds, anesthetist’s fee, operating room fee, ward and meals, and more!
- * The coverage amounts listed here only include surgeon fees. VHIS also covers other procedures, such as specialist doctor fees, ward accommodation, anesthetist fees, operating room fees, and miscellaneous expenses. You can check the coverage limits for each item on the VHIS product page. Each coverage amount is determined based on the complexity of the examination, and the VHIS surgery table categorizes most examinations from minor to complex.
- # Full compensation means there are no sub-limits on individual items and applies only to specified coverage items. Compensation is subject to any remaining deductible (if applicable), annual coverage limits, lifetime limits, and other conditions including reasonable and customary charges, pre-existing conditions, the designated hospital list in mainland China, and restrictions on treatment in the US. For full product terms, conditions, risks, and exclusions, please refer to the relevant product website and policy documents.
Get Your Instant Personal Quote Now
Bowtie offers a premium calculator that lets you estimate your monthly VHIS premiums based on factors like age, gender, and smoking habits:
Bowtie VHIS Plans (Standard/Flexi) Calculator
How to Claim?
Claim Steps
Bowtie’s VHIS claim process is straightforward and simple—here’s how it works:
- Prepare the required documents (see below)
- Log in to Bowtie Account and apply for your claim
- Answer a few questions about the treatment
- Submit your bank details
- Upload the necessary documents
- Wait for approval
- Receive your compensation
What Documents Do You Need for a Claim?
You’ll need to prepare these three documents to successfully apply for your claim:
- A hospitalization claim form filled out and signed by your doctor
- The original hospital receipt
- All pathology reports
Private hospitals typically have claim forms for various insurance companies, so just let your doctor know which medical insurance you have—they’re pros at this. It’s a good idea to bring a summary of your insurance coverage for their reference.
How Long Does It Take to Get Compensation After Applying?
The time for each claim depends on the case’s complexity, with about 80% of cases approved within 10 working days; once approved, the compensation amount will be transferred to your specified bank account within 3 working days.
- # Data as of October 2021
Bowtie Real Customer Claims Cases: 99.8% Average Reimbursement Rate
Mr. Wong (pseudonym) purchased Bowtie VHIS Flexi Regular for his father. Five or six months after purchasing the policy, his father suddenly reported blurred vision. After examination, he was diagnosed with Cataract (English: Cataract). Mr. Wong learned that VHIS covers cataract surgery, so he quickly arranged for his father to have the surgery within 1 to 2 days.
His father underwent the first Left phacoemulsification + IOL Implantation at the Laser Treatment Center – Kowloon Cataract Center on July 27, 2021, and the second Right phacoemulsification + IOL Implantation the next day, on July 28.
And his reimbursement rates were nearly 100%:
Detailed Claims Record
|
Left Eye |
Right Eye |
|||
| Item | Medical Expenses | Reimbursement Amount | Medical Expenses | Reimbursement Amount |
| Surgeon’s Fee | $12,500 | $12,500 (Full Reimbursement) | $12,500 | $12,500 (Full Reimbursement) |
| Operating Theatre Fee | $4,400 | $4,400 (Full Reimbursement) | $4,400 | $4,400 (Full Reimbursement) |
| Pre- and Post- Confinement/Day Case Procedure Outpatient Care | $1,045 | $820 | $1,045 | $820 |
| Miscellaneous Charges | $11,100 | $11,100 (Full Reimbursement) | $11,100 | $9,460* |
| BowtieCash | – | $225 | – | $1,775 |
| Additional Rewards | ||||
| Day Case Procedure Cash Benefit | $500 | $500 | – | $500 |
| Total | $29,545 | $29,545
(Full Reimbursement) |
$29,545 | $29,455
(Reimbursement Rate Over 99%) |
💡 What is BowtieCash ? BowtieCash is Bowtie’s innovative rewards program, offering extra perks for Bowtie VHIS policyholders who pay reasonable medical expenses.
- * BowtieCash reward program is subject to terms and conditions
- * Among which $6,560 is provided by SMM
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there free cataract surgery in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong’s Community Chest offers the Cataract Surgery Subsidy Scheme , which provides free cataract surgery for eligible elderly patients with financial difficulties, allowing them to receive surgery in a timely manner to restore their vision and improve their quality of life. Additionally, the Hospital Authority announced in 2021 that eligible individuals will not have to pay extra for the artificial lens when undergoing cataract surgery in public hospitals; they only need to pay the public charges for day surgery or hospitalization.
Does cataract surgery (both eyes) need to be performed separately?
Doctors generally recommend that patients undergo cataract surgery on both eyes on separate days, so that the first eye can recover in a few days or weeks, and then be assessed before the second surgery. If the situation is urgent and after doctor’s diagnosis, some cases may have both eyes’ cataract surgery at the same time.
Other Topics
Blood HealthBowtie StoryBusinessCancerChinese MedicineCovidCustomer ReviewDeathcareDental HealthDigestive HealthDoctor SpecialistsDrugsEar, nose, and throatEndocrinology & DiabetesExercisingFinanceFood & NutritionGroup Medical InsuranceHealthHealth GlossaryHeart HealthHospitalsHot TopicsImmigrationInsuranceKidney HealthKids HealthlearnLiver DiseaseLung & RespiratoryMedical Check UpsMen’s HealthMental HealthNervous SystemOrthopedicsOutpatient ServicesParentingPhysiotherapyPress ReleasePrevention/VaccinationProduct PhilosophyRealtyRheumatic DiseaseSeniors HealthSkin IssueSymptomsTreatment PlanUrologyWomen’s Health女性健康