We provide consultant-led diagnosis and private treatment across South England for the common sight-threatening and quality-of-life eye conditions: glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, retinal detachment and other retinal problems, refractive error and presbyopia, and eyelid conditions such as ptosis, entropion, ectropion and chalazion. You can be assessed within days with no GP referral and no NHS waiting list, and indicative self-pay treatment starts from around £460 for a chalazion and £950 per eye for SLT laser glaucoma treatment. You are seen by the same consultant from diagnosis through to treatment and follow-up.
Whether you already have a diagnosis from your optician or you have noticed a new symptom you want checked, this page explains who each condition affects, how it is diagnosed, the treatment options, and — crucially — which symptoms are an emergency. Some retinal problems need same-day care to save sight, while others are monitored over time; our private pathway gives you fast access to a consultant ophthalmologist either way.
Lens & refractive conditions
Refractive conditions affect how clearly the eye focuses light. Short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism blur vision at different distances, while presbyopia — the age-related loss of near focus that begins around the mid-forties — makes reading and screen work tiring even for people who never needed glasses before. These are not diseases of the eye so much as focusing errors, and they are highly correctable. The right solution depends on your age, prescription, lifestyle and the health of your cornea and natural lens.
For a stable prescription and healthy corneas, laser vision correction reshapes the cornea to sharpen focus. For higher prescriptions, presbyopia, or eyes approaching cataract, a lens-based approach — refractive lens exchange or implantable contact lenses — is often more predictable and longer-lasting. A consultant assessment measures your eyes precisely and explains which option gives the safest result and the best chance of reducing your dependence on glasses.
Explore treatment options including laser eye surgery, refractive lens exchange and implant lenses. To compare premium lens choices for reading and distance vision, read our trifocal vs EDOF lens guide.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of conditions in which pressure inside the eye damages the optic nerve, gradually eroding the field of vision. Its danger lies in being silent: most people have no symptoms until significant, irreversible sight has already been lost, which is why it is often first detected at a routine optician check rather than because something feels wrong. Risk rises with age, family history, high eye pressure, short- or long-sightedness and certain ethnic backgrounds. Because lost vision cannot be restored, early diagnosis and steady pressure control are everything.
Consultant assessment combines eye-pressure measurement, optic-nerve imaging and visual-field testing to confirm the diagnosis and stage the condition. Treatment then follows a ladder: pressure-lowering drops or selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) first, stepping up to minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) or filtration surgery if pressure remains too high. A private pathway gives you rapid testing and a monitoring plan tailored to how advanced your glaucoma is.
See the treatment pathway on our glaucoma treatment page, or compare options in our drops vs SLT vs MIGS guide.
Retina & macula
The retina is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, and the macula at its centre is responsible for fine, central vision — reading, faces and detail. Conditions here range from urgent emergencies to chronic, monitored disease. Sudden floaters, flashing lights or a curtain-like shadow over your vision can mean a retinal tear or detachment and need same-day assessment, because prompt repair offers the best chance of preserving sight. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of central vision loss in the UK: the wet form changes vision rapidly and is treated with anti-VEGF injections, while the dry form progresses slowly and is monitored with emerging treatment options.
Other macular and vitreoretinal problems — macular holes, epiretinal membranes, vitreomacular traction and vitreous haemorrhage — distort or cloud central vision and are corrected or investigated with vitrectomy surgery. Floaters are usually harmless, but a sudden new shower of them should always be checked. Timing matters throughout retinal care, so our service is built around fast access to imaging and a vitreoretinal surgeon.
Most retinal conditions are managed through our vitreoretinal surgery service, with wet AMD treated by anti-VEGF injection therapy. If you have sudden visual symptoms, see urgent advice, and read our guides on when floaters are a warning sign and wet vs dry AMD treatment.
Have a diagnosis or new symptoms? Get a consultant-led assessment at a clinic near you, usually within days.
Request an appointmentEyelid & oculoplastic conditions
Eyelid conditions affect the comfort, appearance and protection of the eye, and several also interfere with vision. A drooping upper lid (ptosis) can block the upper field of view and make the eyes look tired; an in-turning lid (entropion) drives lashes against the eye surface, causing irritation, watering and risk to the cornea; an out-turning lid (ectropion) leaves the eye exposed, sore and watery; and a chalazion is a persistent lump from a blocked eyelid gland that may not settle on its own. Because the eyelids protect and lubricate the eye, these problems are treated by oculoplastic surgeons who prioritise eye health alongside a natural result.
Diagnosis is clinical and usually quick, and most corrective procedures are performed as day cases under local anaesthetic with a short recovery. Where a problem is functional — obstructing vision or damaging the eye surface — surgery restores comfort and protection; where it is primarily aesthetic, a consultant will set clear, honest expectations. Your assessment establishes which of these applies and the most appropriate treatment.
Eyelid conditions are treated through our oculoplastics service — including blepharoplasty and ptosis correction. Compare oculoplastic surgery prices or read the blepharoplasty vs ptosis guide.
How much does treatment cost?
The figures below are indicative self-pay “from” prices to help you plan before a consultation. As a self-pay patient you skip the NHS waiting list and know the all-inclusive cost up front; the exact fee depends on your eye, the technique chosen and whether one or both eyes are treated. Each row links to the detailed price page for what is included and any premium options.
Prices are indicative self-pay guides for 2026 and confirmed at your consultation. See the full list on our prices page, or read about finance options and insured-patient pathways.
Eye condition FAQs
Do I need a referral to be assessed?
No referral is required. If your optician has noted a problem, bringing that information helps, but you can request an appointment directly for a consultant assessment.
Which symptoms need urgent attention?
Sudden vision loss, a new shower of floaters or flashing lights, or a curtain-like shadow over your vision can signal a retinal emergency. See urgent advice and seek care promptly.
What are the early signs of glaucoma?
Early glaucoma usually has no symptoms at all, which is why it is often found at a routine optician check rather than because vision feels different. By the time you notice gaps in your side vision, damage may be advanced, so regular pressure and optic-nerve checks matter — especially if you have a family history. Read our glaucoma treatment options guide.
When should floaters be a cause for concern?
Occasional floaters are usually harmless, but a sudden new shower of floaters, flashing lights or a shadow over your vision can be a warning sign of a retinal tear or detachment. These need same-day assessment — see urgent advice and our guide on when floaters mean trouble.
What is the difference between wet and dry AMD?
Dry AMD progresses slowly as the macula thins, while wet AMD involves leaking blood vessels that change central vision quickly and need prompt anti-VEGF injection treatment. Both affect central, detailed vision rather than side vision. Our wet vs dry AMD guide explains the treatment options for each.
How much does private eye treatment cost?
Indicative self-pay prices range from around £460 for a chalazion and £950 per eye for SLT laser glaucoma treatment, up to £6,100 per eye for floater vitrectomy. All pricing is transparent and all-inclusive, confirmed at your consultation. See our prices page for the full list.
Is private eye treatment covered by insurance?
Many medically necessary eye conditions — such as glaucoma, retinal disease and cataracts — are covered by private medical insurance, though purely cosmetic procedures usually are not. Check your policy and excess, then see our insured-patients page for how to use your cover.
Where will I be seen?
Assessment and treatment take place at our partner clinics across South England. See the full list on our locations page and request the most convenient site.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
Private appointments are typically available within days, with no NHS waiting list, and urgent retinal symptoms are prioritised for same-day or next-day review. You can request an appointment online at any time.
Can my optician refer me directly?
Yes. Your optician can refer you directly, and you can also book without a referral. If you have recent test results or a letter from your optician, bringing them helps the consultant, but they are not essential to be seen.