How much does it cost to fund a cataract operation?

A complete sight-restoring cataract operation — including the surgeon, intraocular lens, consumables, anaesthesia and post-operative follow-up — costs approximately £200 through World Aid Network's partner hospitals in Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia.

What does £25 buy at World Aid Network?

£25 funds one intraocular lens (IOL) implant — the artificial lens that replaces the clouded natural lens in a cataract operation. Without this component, surgery cannot restore vision. It is the single most cost-effective surgical component funded by World Aid Network.

What does £100 fund at World Aid Network?

£100 covers half a complete cataract operation — the surgeon's time, consumables and intraocular lens combined. Paired with another £100 donation, it funds a full sight-restoring procedure for one patient who cannot afford private care.

What does £200 fund at World Aid Network?

£200 sponsors a complete sight-restoring cataract operation for one patient — covering the pre-operative assessment, surgeon, intraocular lens implant, sterile consumables, anaesthesia and post-operative follow-up. This is World Aid Network's standard sponsored-operation amount.

Direct Answer

£200 funds a complete sight-restoring cataract operation. £25 funds a surgical intraocular lens. £30 funds a breast cancer ultrasound assessment. £100 funds emergency food and shelter for one disaster-affected family. Use the calculator below to see your exact impact.

£25

IOL lens

£200

1 operation

£1,000

5 operations

Transparency · Impact

Your Donation Impact Calculator

Choose an amount and cause to see exactly what your donation funds — across eye surgery, cancer treatment and emergency relief in Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia.

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Your donation impact — Eye Surgery

£200

One complete sight-restoring cataract operation

Costs are approximate, based on average partner-hospital data in Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Donate £200 to Eye Surgery

World Aid Network is a UK Charitable Incorporated Organisation — charity registration in progress. All payments go directly to accredited partner hospitals. No cash is sent overseas.

At a glance

What each amount funds

All three programmes operate exclusively in Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia. Costs are approximate based on partner-hospital data.

Donation	👁️ Eye Surgery	🩺 Cancer Treatment	🆘 Emergency Relief
£25	1 intraocular lens implant	Towards diagnostic ultrasound	Emergency food for 1 family (2 wks)
£50	Surgical consumables for 1 operation	Towards a biopsy	Emergency shelter kit for 1 family
£100	Half a complete cataract operation	Supportive care medications	Full emergency pack for 1 family
£200	1 complete cataract operation	2–3 diagnostic assessments	Emergency support for 2 families
£500	2–3 complete operations	Towards lumpectomy surgery	Relief for 5 families — 1 week
£1,000	5 complete cataract operations	Full chemotherapy course	Emergency relief for 20 families

Figures are approximate. Actual costs vary by country and partner hospital. Last updated June 2026.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

How does World Aid Network make sure my donation reaches a patient? +

All donations are held in a restricted fund. No money is disbursed until trustees have approved a named patient list with clinical justification. Payments go directly to partner hospitals via milestone bank transfer — never to individuals. Post-operative outcome reports are required from every partner before any further release.

Can I choose which programme my donation goes to? +

Yes. You can designate your donation to eye surgery, cancer treatment or emergency relief. Once online payments are live, you will be able to specify your preference at checkout. For larger or restricted gifts, contact us at [email protected].

Is a £200 operation a one-off cost? +

Yes. Cataract surgery is a one-off procedure — once the intraocular lens is implanted, it does not need replacing and the cataract cannot recur. A single donation of £200 permanently restores sight for one patient.

How much of my donation goes to programme costs vs administration? +

World Aid Network is a grant-making charity with a lean operating model. All direct programme costs — surgery, cancer treatment, emergency relief — are funded from restricted programme funds. We aim to maximise the proportion reaching patients. Full financial information will be published in our annual accounts once filed with the Charity Commission.

Will my donation be Gift Aid eligible? +

World Aid Network is a UK Charitable Incorporated Organisation with charity registration in progress. Gift Aid will be claimable once registration is granted — meaning UK taxpayers will be able to add 25p for every £1 donated at no cost to them. We will notify all donors when this is available.

Explore more

Sponsor a cataract operation How far your donation goes Cataract surgery cost Breast cancer treatment How we work