San Donato Hospital
Cataract treatment cost in Italy typically includes a consultation with an ophthalmologist ranging from $100 to $200 and primary procedures like cataract surgery (one eye) which runs from $2,200 to $3,200. Total expenses depend on the lens type, surgical technique, and clinic prestige. Patients often find 30-50% savings compared to private US healthcare. Milan, Rome, and Florence are the primary hubs for advanced ophthalmic care.
Typical Cataract Treatment Costs in Italy
Bookimed Expert Insight: Patients seeking immediate treatment should prioritize private centers in Milan or Rome to avoid long wait times. San Donato Hospital in Milan is a top-tier choice for high-volume surgical care, holding Newsweek’s World's Best Hospitals recognition. For complex cases needing advanced diagnostics, Ospedale San Carlo di Nancy in Rome offers 5-star rated facilities. JCI-accredited centers like Maria Cecilia Hospital provide excellent value for international patients traveling via Bologna.
| Italy | Turkey | Austria | |
| Vitrectomy | from $4,000 | from $2,300 | from $4,500 |
| Femtosecond laser | from $2,000 | from $803 | from $3,200 |
| Cataract surgery with IOL replacement | from $1,500 | from $1,500 | from $2,500 |
| Cataract surgery (one eye) | from $2,200 | from $1,200 | from $1,800 |
| Cataract surgery (both eyes) | from $3,000 | from $1,300 | from $3,500 |
No hidden fees – just official clinic prices. Pay at the clinic for Cataract treatment and use a flexible installment plan if needed.
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Dr. Giuseppe Speziale is a cardiac surgeon specializing in minimally invasive valve surgery at Ospedale Santa Maria. He is the National Coordinator of Cardiac Surgery for GVM Care & Research. Dr. Speziale earned the Top Doctors Award for his surgical expertise. He co-founded the Mitral Academy to improve restorative heart surgery techniques.
Dr. Nicola Vione has performed thousands of procedures in functional and facial plastic surgery. He is a specialist in otorhinolaryngology at Santa Caterina da Siena clinic in Turin. Dr. Vione serves as a Professor of Functional and Aesthetic Surgery of the Nose.
Cataract surgery in Italy is not covered by the National Health Service (SSN) for medical tourists. The SSN serves Italian citizens and legal residents exclusively. Foreigners on tourist visas must use private clinics or pay full out-of-pocket costs at public hospitals.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While public hospitals like Ospedale San Carlo di Nancy are accredited by the Italian Health Service, they remain focused on the local population. International patients typically see shorter wait times by choosing multi-specialty centers like Maria Cecilia Hospital. These JCI-accredited facilities offer streamlined pathways that bypass the 3-to-6 month public waiting lists. Choosing a private center in a major hub like Bologna or Rome ensures access to English-speaking staff and immediate diagnostic imaging.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that trying to access the public system as a visitor is not worth the hassle. They emphasize that paying privately in cities like Milan is the most reliable way to secure surgery without residency paperwork.
Patients in Italy can choose their intraocular lens (IOL) type based on clinical suitability and provider type. Public hospitals typically provide standard monofocal lenses through the national health system. Private clinics offer advanced options including multifocal, EDOF, and toric lenses for personalized vision correction.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many search for specific lenses, the choice often depends on the hospital's research focus. For instance, San Donato Hospital in Milan and Maria Cecilia Hospital in Bologna hold IRCCS or JCI accreditations, meaning they participate in clinical research. These research-heavy institutions often provide access to the latest optical technologies earlier than general local hospitals. If you want the most recent EDOF or multifocal technology, look for these accredited research centers.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that while public surgeons provide reliable monofocal lenses, those desiring better night vision or less reliance on glasses should opt for private consultations. It is helpful to bring English specification sheets to discussions to ensure the lens model matches your lifestyle goals.
Italian ophthalmologists primarily perform phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) to restore vision. These procedures involve small incisions and replacing the cloudy lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). Accredited facilities in Milan, Rome, and Bologna provide these treatments using high-precision equipment.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian groups like GVM Care & Research often integrate cataract care within multidisciplinary hospitals. At Maria Cecilia Hospital, patients with complex histories like heart disease or diabetes have surgery near specialists. Choosing these larger JCI-accredited research centres provides access to modern lens technology and detailed preoperative analysis.
Patient Consensus: Many note that laser is often used only for specific steps like incisions. Most patients in Italy recommend confirming whether the laser is included in the base price. They also suggest checking which specific lens brand will be used.
Italian ophthalmology clinics provide a full range of intraocular lenses. These include monofocal, trifocal, and extended depth of focus (EDOF) options. Surgeons use phacoemulsification or femtosecond lasers to implant these lenses. JCI-accredited facilities in Rome, Milan, and Bologna offer premium Toric lenses to correct astigmatism.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian medical networks like GVM Care & Research often house ophthalmology services within large multi-speciality hospitals. Facilities such as Maria Cecilia Hospital combine JCI-accredited safety standards with on-site diagnostic imaging. This layout allows for thorough pre-surgical biometry and same-day cardiac clearances if needed for older patients.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Italy note that choosing EDOF or multifocal lenses involves a trade-off. They must balance visual range against night-driving comfort. Many suggest checking if preoperative biometry and follow-up visits are in the initial surgery quote.
Italian healthcare specialists in private clinics and hubs like Milan, Rome, and Bologna communicate effectively in English. Most doctors at JCI-accredited facilities such as Maria Cecilia Hospital speak English. These centres frequently host international medical congresses. They also accommodate global patients for specialised ophthalmic procedures.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian private clinics often function within research networks like GVM Care & Research. Our data shows these facilities, such as Santa Caterina da Siena, invest in international training. This training covers their 200+ doctors. This academic focus means surgeons are comfortable discussing complex cataract techniques like phacoemulsification in English.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that Italian surgeons often speak excellent English. However, administrative staff proficiency varies. Patients should ask for written recovery instructions in English. This helps during the critical first week of healing.
Cataract surgery recovery in Italy typically allows patients to see clearly within 24 to 72 hours. Full healing and visual stabilisation generally take about one month. Italian specialists use phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser techniques for a fast return to daily activities.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian centres like Maria Cecilia Hospital hold JCI accreditation. This accreditation supports high standards in post-operative safety. While the surgery takes minutes, patients with astigmatism or macular issues may need several months to settle. Choosing a centre near hubs like Bologna allows easier access to mandatory follow-up exams.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Italy report that physical recovery is often easier than expected. They highlight that managing eye drops and temporary visual imbalance is the main challenge initially.
Public wait times for cataract surgery in Italy often exceed 12 months for exams and 2 years for surgery. Private treatment significantly reduces these delays. Private clinics in Rome, Milan, and Bologna provide immediate consultations and procedures for international patients. This allows faster access for those travelling from abroad.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian private clinics often function as multidisciplinary research hubs. For example, San Donato Hospital combines high-volume surgery with IRCCS research accreditation. Choosing these academic-affiliated private centres provides access to specialised intraocular lens technology. This also bypasses the 15-month average public wait times often reported in national data.
Patient Consensus: Patients find private care in Italy fast and straightforward. They recommend bringing recent eye test results and referral paperwork to Italy. This helps speed up the initial triage and surgical planning process.
Leading Italian hospitals for cataract surgery include San Donato Hospital in Milan and Ospedale San Carlo di Nancy in Rome. These centres specialise in phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser-assisted surgery. Major facilities in Milan and Rome offer high-volume care within JCI-accredited and Ministry-certified environments.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian medical networks like GVM Care & Research bridge public standards and private speed. While San Donato Hospital treats massive volumes, Maria Cecilia Hospital offers JCI-accredited safety. This hospital is 40 minutes from Bologna airport. Australian patients in Europe often choose these research hospitals for more predictable surgical outcomes.
Patient Consensus: Patients suggest confirming private health insurance coverage before booking surgery in Italy. Many recommend referrals to university hospitals or specialised private clinics to avoid wait times.