What Happens at a Private Laser Eye Surgery Consultation? UK 2026 Guide

A private laser eye surgery consultation in the UK is a 60 to 90 minute suitability assessment that uses corneal scans, pupil and tear-film measurements and a dilated eye examination to decide whether you can safely have laser vision correction, and whether LASIK, SMILE, PRK or LASEK is the right procedure for you. No laser treatment is carried out on the day. Many clinics offer the assessment free of charge or redeemable against the cost of surgery. The most important thing you can do to prepare is to stop wearing contact lenses beforehand — soft lenses for around 48 hours, rigid or gas-permeable lenses for considerably longer — so your cornea is back to its natural shape when it is scanned.

In short: what to expect

It is an assessment, not surgery. You will not have laser treatment at the consultation.
It takes 60–90 minutes. Several scans and tests, plus time with an optometrist and often a surgeon.
Your eyes may be dilated. Bring sunglasses and arrange not to drive home, as your vision can be blurry for a few hours.
Leave contact lenses out first. Soft lenses about 48 hours before; rigid lenses one to several weeks — ask when you book.
You will get a clear answer. Whether you are suitable, which procedure suits you, and a personalised quote.

Step by step through the consultation

A good clinic follows a careful sequence designed to build a complete picture of your eyes before anyone discusses booking surgery.

History and goals — your prescription history, general health, medications, dry-eye symptoms and what you want from surgery (driving, sport, freedom from glasses).
Vision and refraction — your current glasses and unaided vision are measured precisely.
Corneal scans — topography and tomography map the shape and thickness of the cornea (see the tests below).
Pupil and tear-film checks — pupil size in dim light and the quality of your tear film, both of which affect outcomes.
Dilated examination — drops widen the pupil so the lens and retina can be examined.
Discussion and plan — the optometrist or surgeon explains your options, the realistic outcome, the risks, and a tailored quote.

You can read the clinic's own overview of what to expect at your consultation, or start with a free online consultation to check the basics before attending in person.

The key tests — and why each one matters

The scans are the heart of the assessment. They are quick and painless, but the data they produce is what keeps laser surgery safe.

Test	What it measures	Why it matters
Corneal topography / tomography	Shape of the front and back of the cornea	Detects keratoconus or irregularity that would make laser unsafe
Pachymetry	Corneal thickness	Confirms there is enough tissue to treat your prescription safely
Wavefront / aberrometry	Fine optical errors beyond your glasses prescription	Allows a customised treatment for sharper quality of vision
Pupillometry	Pupil size in dim light	Large pupils raise the chance of night glare and guide the treatment zone
Tear-film / dry-eye assessment	Tear quantity and quality	Dry eye must be treated first, or it worsens after surgery
Dilated fundus exam	Health of the lens and retina	Excludes cataract, retinal or other disease before treatment

Curious whether you are suitable? The only way to know is a full assessment — book a consultant-led laser consultation and get a definite answer.

Book a laser consultation

How suitability is decided — and which procedure

Laser surgery is not right for everyone, and a reputable clinic will say so. The scans, your prescription and your eye health together decide both whether you can have laser correction and which technique fits best.

LASIK — a thin flap is created and the laser reshapes the cornea beneath; fast recovery; suits a wide range of short sight, long sight and astigmatism with adequate corneal thickness.
SMILE — keyhole, flapless removal of a small lens-shaped piece of tissue; favoured for short sight and for those wanting a minimally invasive option.
PRK / LASEK — surface treatments with no flap; chosen for thinner corneas, certain occupations or sports; a little longer to recover.
Not suitable for laser? Lens-based options such as an implantable contact lens (ICL) or, for presbyopia, PRESBYOND laser blended vision may still help.

Common reasons to delay or decline surgery include keratoconus or borderline corneal thickness, an unstable prescription, significant untreated dry eye, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and certain eye or general health conditions. A clinic that tells you honestly that you are not a candidate is protecting your sight.

Questions worth asking at your consultation

Am I suitable for laser surgery, and which procedure do you recommend for my eyes — and why?
What realistic outcome can I expect, and what is the chance I will still need glasses for some tasks?
Who will perform my surgery, and how experienced are they with this procedure?
What are the specific risks for my eyes, and how is dry eye managed before and after?
What does the price include — enhancements, aftercare appointments, and for how long?
What happens if I need a re-treatment or if something does not go to plan?

Cost of the consultation and booking surgery

Many UK clinics offer the initial laser eye surgery consultation free of charge or redeemable against the cost of treatment, because it doubles as your suitability screening. There is usually no obligation to proceed. After the assessment you will receive a personalised, fixed quote for the recommended procedure.

To get a sense of pricing before you attend, see our cost guides for laser eye surgery, LASIK, SMILE and PRK, plus ICL pricing if a lens-based option is more suitable. Read more about the procedures themselves on our laser eye surgery page.

Frequently asked questions

Is the laser eye surgery consultation the same as the surgery?

No. The consultation is a suitability assessment only — no laser treatment is carried out on the day. It uses corneal scans, pupil and tear-film tests and a dilated eye examination to decide whether laser surgery is safe for you and which procedure is best. Surgery, if you are suitable and decide to go ahead, is booked for a later date.

How long does a laser eye consultation take?

Allow 60 to 90 minutes. The appointment includes your history, vision and refraction measurements, several corneal scans, pupil and dry-eye checks, a dilated examination and a discussion of your options and a quote. Because your pupils may be dilated, plan for your vision to be blurry for a few hours afterwards.

Do I need to stop wearing contact lenses before the consultation?

Yes. Contact lenses change the shape of the cornea, which would make the scans inaccurate. As a general guide, leave soft lenses out for about 48 hours before the appointment, and rigid gas-permeable lenses out for considerably longer — often one to several weeks. Always check the exact timing with the clinic when you book, as it depends on your lens type.

Can I drive home after the consultation?

Often not, because dilating drops can blur your vision and make you light-sensitive for a few hours. It is best to arrange a lift or public transport and to bring sunglasses. Ask the clinic in advance whether your appointment will include dilation so you can plan your journey.

What if I am told I am not suitable for laser surgery?

A reputable clinic will decline surgery if the scans show keratoconus, a cornea that is too thin, an unstable prescription, significant dry eye or other concerns — this is good care, not a setback. You may still have excellent options, such as an implantable contact lens (ICL) or, for age-related reading difficulty, a lens-based or blended-vision approach. Your clinician will explain the alternatives.

Is the consultation free?

At many UK clinics the initial laser eye surgery consultation is free or is redeemable against the cost of treatment, with no obligation to proceed. After the assessment you receive a fixed, personalised quote for the recommended procedure. Confirm the clinic's policy when you book.

About this guide

Clinical guidance: Royal College of Ophthalmologists and NICE guidance on laser refractive surgery and pre-operative assessment.
Editorial review: reviewed by a UK GMC-registered consultant ophthalmic surgeon before publication.

Editorial information · not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Your suitability for laser eye surgery is confirmed only after a full assessment by a qualified clinician.

What happens at a private laser eye surgery consultation?