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Surgery covered by basic insuranceYou only pay the surcharge for the lens
Touch-up guarantee with premium lensesWe correct a residual refractive error free of charge

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Cataract surgery at EyeLaser Zurich is performed by Dr Myron Kynigopoulos, ophthalmologist and refractive surgeon.

Cataract at a glance

What is a cataract?

The eye’s natural lens clouds over. Colours fade, oncoming light dazzles, vision turns milky. It develops gradually, and almost everyone develops a cataract in the course of their life.

When to operate?

When the clouding gets in the way of everyday life — driving, reading, working. Waiting for a cataract to become “ripe” is no longer necessary.

What does it cost?

The operation is billed to basic insurance under TARDOC. You only pay the surcharge for the lens: CHF 700 for one distance, CHF 2,700 for several distances, femtosecond laser +CHF 1,000 per eye.

How does it work?

Outpatient, without an injection into the eye and, if you wish, under sedation. Both eyes can be operated on the same day.

See the beauty of Zurich in full colour again

Eyelaser Zürich

Imagine standing on Uetliberg or strolling along Lake Zurich, but instead of a crystal-clear panorama you see the world as if through a veil that is steadily getting dirtier. Colours fade, contrasts disappear, and night driving becomes torture due to glare.

That is the reality of cataracts. With EyeLaser Zurich At EyeLaser Zurich, we understand that cataract surgery is not just about “repairing” an organ. It is about quality of life.

Our approach combines Swiss precision with world-class technology to restore your youthful vision.

The EyeLaser Zurich promise: 5 facts to help you decide

Short on time? Here is why discerning patients from all over Switzerland entrust us with their eyesight:

EyeLaser Zurich
  1. Laser robotics instead of a scalpel (FLACS): We use the femtosecond laser for micrometre-precise incisions. This is gentle on the tissue and ensures the perfect fit of your new lens.
  2. AI-powered precision: We do not calculate your lens using outdated formulas, but with artificial intelligence (big data) to predict your visual outcome precisely.
  3. The “full-service” safety net: With the premium lenses: if a tiny residual refractive error remains after lens surgery, we correct it free of charge with eye laser treatment (touch-up) once your vision has stabilised (approx. 4 months).
  4. Maximum efficiency: Thanks to the latest safety standards, we offer (if suitable) surgery on both eyes in one day—so you can get back to life straight away.
  5. Ethical indication: We only operate on cataracts once symptoms are present that bother you. We do not perform unnecessary procedures.

Cataract surgery or lens exchange? An honest assessment

It is important to distinguish between two terms that are often confused. At EyeLaser Zurich, we advise you transparently on the indication:

Tropfanästhesie oder Dämmerschlaf bei der Femto-LASIK

1. Cataract surgery

This is a medically necessary procedure.

  • Cause: The natural lens has become cloudy. Vision declines despite glasses.
  • When do we operate? Only when you have subjective symptoms that affect you in everyday life (glare, hazy vision). We do not operate “as a precaution”. It remains a surgical procedure that should be carefully considered—even though it is extremely safe today.

2. Refractive lens exchange (RLE / RLA)

This is a lifestyle procedure to correct refractive errors.

  • Cause: The lens is still clear, but you have age-related long-sightedness (presbyopia) and no longer want to wear varifocal glasses.
  • Standard: Because a healthy organ is being operated on here, our standards for precision, safety and optical outcome are even higher than for classic cataract surgery.

High-tech for your eyes – four levels of precision

We do not settle for the standard. To achieve the best possible results in Zurich, we rely on a combination of four high-end technologies:

Eyelaser Zürich

1. FLACS: The femtosecond laser replaces the scalpel

In standard surgery, the surgeon opens the eye manually. We optionally offer you Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS).

  • The advantage: The laser creates a perfectly circular incision that is precisely centred. It pre-fragments the cloudy lens so that we need less ultrasound energy. This protects the cornea and speeds up healing.

2. Digital navigation system (markerless alignment)

A premium made-to-measure suit only fits if it sits perfectly. The same applies to toric lenses (for astigmatism).

  • The advantage: Instead of working with imprecise felt-tip markings on the eye, we digitally project the axis of your astigmatism directly into the microscope like a head-up display. This guarantees rotationally stable accuracy of fit.
Trifokallinsen

3. AI biometry (artificial intelligence)

Technology is good; data is better. To calculate your intraocular lens, we use AI algorithms (e.g. Hill-RBF).

  • The advantage: AI recognises patterns in your eye anatomy that conventional formulas miss. We can virtually know even before surgery how you will see afterwards.

4. Brand quality without compromise

Your eye is no place for cost-cutting.

  • The advantage: We implant only lenses from global market leaders (e.g. Zeiss, Alcon, Johnson & Johnson) that have proven themselves millions of times, remain clear long-term (“glistening-free”), and feature UV filters to protect your retina.

The touch-up guarantee (bioptics)

Calculating intraocular lenses is extremely accurate today. Nevertheless, every eye is a biological system, and healing varies from person to person. In rare cases, a small residual refractive error (e.g. -0.5 dioptres) may remain after cataract surgery.

Other clinics will then prescribe you thin glasses again. We do not.

Presbyopie mit dem Laser korrigieren

Our promise to you:
Because we are not only lens specialists but also experts in eye laser treatment, we offer you the full service:

  1. We wait for the stabilisation phase (approx. 4 months).
  2. If there is a bothersome residual deviation, we correct it with a minimally invasive eye laser touch-up.
  3. You get the best of both worlds: the optical power of a premium lens and the fine-tuning of the laser.

To new vision—fear-free and efficient

We have optimised our process to perfectly match the Zurich lifestyle—efficient, safe and comfortable.

Kosten des Augenlaserns

Gentle “no-needle” anaesthesia & twilight sedation

Are you afraid of an injection into the eye? You do not need to be.

  • Drop anaesthesia: We numb the eye exclusively with drops. No injection, no pain.
  • Twilight sedation: If desired, our anaesthetist will put you into a light sleep. You breathe independently, do not notice the procedure, and wake up relaxed.

ISBCS: Both eyes in one day

Why live with uneven vision for weeks? Traditionally, eyes are operated on weeks apart.

  • Our offer: If medically suitable, we operate on both eyes on the same day (Immediate Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery).
  • Safety: We treat each eye as a completely separate procedure (changing all instruments and the team) to guarantee sterility.
  • Your benefit: Only one appointment, one healing phase, and immediate depth perception.

Which lens suits your life?

Basic health insurance covers the operation under the TARDOC tariff. You choose the lens — and with it, over which distances you will see without glasses. What that costs is in the last row.

Feature Monofocal plus lens (our standard) EDOF lens (extended depth of focus) Multifocal lens (premium)
Focus Distance, with some reserve for the middle Distance + computer/arm’s length Distance + computer + reading
Need for glasses Reading glasses for close work Reading glasses for small print Largely glasses-free
Night vision Very good, hardly any halos Good, minimal light effects Possible halos around light sources
Surcharge on TARDOC 700 CHF per eye 2’700 CHF per eye 2’700 CHF per eye
Ideal for Those who accept reading glasses Active people, drivers, office work Those seeking maximum freedom

Note: All lenses are also available as a toric version for astigmatism. The toric version and monovision are part of the second step, i.e. 2’700 CHF per eye — with EDOF and multifocal lenses at no extra charge.

What does cataract surgery cost?

We bill the operation itself to your basic insurance under the TARDOC tariff, less your deductible and co-payment. You only decide how far you want to see without glasses. The amounts below are the surcharge on that tariff, per eye. The pre-examination and all related examinations are also billed to compulsory health insurance.

Surcharge per eye on the TARDOC tariff for cataract surgery. As of September 2026.
What you would like The lens for it Surcharge on TARDOC per eye
One distance in focus
usually distance; reading glasses for close work		 Monofocal to monofocal plus — our standard lens
Eyhance, enVista Aspire		 700 CHF
Several distances — or clear distance despite astigmatism
distance, screen and reading largely without glasses; or clear distance despite astigmatism		 EDOF, multifocal, toric or monovision — all at the same price
LuxSmart, PureSee, Vivity, TECNIS Odyssey, enVista Envy, PanOptix Pro, each also available as a toric version		 2’700 CHF
Femtosecond laser
available with either step		 The laser makes the incisions that are otherwise done by hand. + 1’000 CHF

Which lens is used in the second step — EDOF, multifocal, toric or a monovision — is decided by your pre-examination. The price is the same in every case. That way no financial reason can guide you or us in that choice.

Example: multifocal lens with femtosecond laser — 3’700 CHF per eye on top of the TARDOC tariff. With the premium lenses from CHF 2,700 our touch-up guarantee is included: should a bothersome residual refractive error remain, we correct it later free of charge with the laser. It is not included with the CHF 700 monofocal plus lens. You receive a written cost estimate before the procedure.

Why not always the multifocal lens?

EDOF and multifocal lenses cost the same with us. The difference is not in the price but in how the light is distributed inside the eye — and in what you see at night as a result.

EDOF lens

Calm vision at night

This lens stretches the zone of focus instead of splitting the light. Contrast therefore stays almost as good as with a monofocal plus lens. Halos around headlights and street lamps are rare and usually faint.

In return you will still need reading glasses for small print — package inserts, phone books, a menu in dim light.

Sensible if you drive a lot in the dark, depend on contrast vision at work, or are sensitive to glare.

Multifocal lens

Greatest independence from glasses

This lens splits the incoming light between several focal points: distance, screen and reading distance at the same time. In everyday life most patients manage almost entirely without glasses.

Because the light is split, many patients see halos and starbursts around lamps and headlights during the first weeks and months, and contrast at dusk is slightly reduced. As a rule the brain adapts. In a small proportion of patients the effect remains noticeable.

Sensible if you would like to manage without glasses in daily life and are mostly out in daylight.

Which of the two lenses suits you is decided not by the price but by your pre-examination: the shape of your cornea, the condition of retina and optic nerve, and your habits. Not every eye is suitable for a multifocal lens. We will tell you frankly if we advise against it.

Choose safety and clear vision

Whether medically necessary for cataracts or as a desire to be free from glasses: in Zurich, we offer you world-leading technology combined with Swiss care and a full-service promise.

Your path to new eyes: 1. Check 2. Consultation 3. Safety

book an assessment

What are the risks of the operation?

Cataract surgery is one of the best-studied procedures in medicine. That does not make it risk-free. What can occur, how common it is and what we then do — written down openly.

Posterior capsule opacification

Common, harmless, treated once

Months to years after the operation the posterior lens capsule can cloud over. Vision becomes milky again — but it is not a new cataract.

Treatment takes a few minutes with the YAG laser, is painless and is done once. Afterwards the opacification does not recur.

Residual refractive error

Occurs, usually small

The calculation of the lens power is very precise, but every eye heals individually. A small deviation is possible.

With premium lenses we correct it free of charge with the excimer laser once the eye has stabilised. With the Monofocal Plus lens this touch-up is not included in the price.

Halos and glare

Mainly with multifocal lenses

Because the multifocal lens splits light into several focal points, many patients see rings around light sources in the first weeks and months.

The brain usually gets used to it. In a small proportion of patients the effect remains noticeable — which is why we discuss it in detail before choosing the lens.

Inflammation and eye pressure

Rare, well treatable

In the first weeks the eye can react more strongly than usual, or the intraocular pressure rises temporarily.

Both are detected at the follow-up checks and treated with eye drops.

Macular oedema

Rare, usually resolves

A build-up of fluid at the point of sharpest vision can occur a few weeks after the procedure and temporarily reduce visual acuity.

It is treated with drops and in most cases resolves completely.

Infection inside the eye

Very rare, but serious

Endophthalmitis occurs in fewer than one in a thousand procedures. It announces itself through increasing pain, redness and rapidly worsening vision in the first days.

We treat it as an emergency. So we ask you: contact us immediately if an eye hurts or gets worse after the operation — day or night.

Retinal detachment

Very rare

The risk is slightly increased after cataract surgery, especially in highly short-sighted eyes.

Warning signs are sudden flashes of light, a swarm of new floaters or a shadow at the edge of the visual field. Here too: contact us immediately.

Before every operation we discuss your personal risks. They depend, among other things, on your eye length, the condition of the cornea and retina and your pre-existing conditions. If we advise against a procedure or a particular lens, we tell you so openly.

FAQ – Expert answers to your questions

What does laser cataract surgery cost in Switzerland?

We bill the operation under the TARDOC tariff with basic insurance, less deductible and co-payment. Only the surcharge for the lens is added, and there are two of them. If you want to see sharply at one distance, usually far, it costs CHF 700 per eye; as the standard we implant a Monofocal Plus lens (Eyhance, enVista Aspire), and you wear glasses for reading. If you want to see at several distances without glasses or have astigmatism, it costs CHF 2,700 per eye — regardless of whether an EDOF lens (LuxSmart, PureSee, Vivity), a multifocal lens (TECNIS Odyssey, enVista Envy, PanOptix Pro), a toric lens or monovision is the right solution. The femtosecond laser costs CHF 1,000 extra. All amounts are surcharges to the TARDOC tariff and apply per eye. The touch-up guarantee is included with the premium lenses from CHF 2,700, not with the Monofocal Plus lens for CHF 700.

When is the right time for the operation?

We only operate once you have symptoms (blurred vision, glare) that bother you. There is no reason to operate on a “beginning” cataract without complaints. It is a surgical procedure with (albeit minimal) risks.

What exactly does the “touch-up guarantee” mean?

Should your vision not be perfect after implantation of the premium lens (e.g. a small residual astigmatism), we do not leave you alone. Once the eye is stable (after about 3–4 months), we perform a free laser correction to perfect the result.

Is the operation painful?

No. Thanks to the anaesthetic drops you feel no pain, only a slight feeling of pressure or wetness on the eye.

How long will I be unable to work?

Office work and light activities are often possible again after 2–3 days. You should avoid heavy physical work, sauna or swimming for about 2 weeks.

Are both eyes operated on at the same time?

Yes, we offer this procedure (ISBCS). It is safe and efficient. If you prefer, or if there are medical reasons against it, we are also happy to operate on two dates about one week apart.

Can the cataract come back?

No, the artificial lens stays clear for life. However, a posterior capsule opacification (clouding of the lens capsule) can form. It can be removed painlessly in seconds with a YAG laser in the practice.

Why should I choose the femtosecond laser (FLACS)?

Precision. The laser works more accurately than the human hand. Especially with premium lenses, perfect centring is decisive for optical quality. The procedure is also gentler on the tissue.

What happens if I blink during the operation?

A small, spring-loaded lid holder gently keeps the eye open. You cannot blink. The eye is also kept permanently moist, so there is no feeling of dryness.

Will I be glasses-free immediately after the operation?

Most patients experience a dramatic improvement the day after the operation (“wow effect”). However, final visual acuity stabilises over the first weeks, as the brain has to get used to the new visual impression (neuroadaptation).

This content was created based on the current guidelines of the ESCRS (European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons) and the FMH. Medically reviewed by the specialist team at EyeLaser Zurich.