How do I refer a patient to Eye Surgery Clinic?

You can refer a patient via the online referral form on this page. Provide the patient’s details, clinical history, refraction (where applicable), symptoms, and your preferred urgency. Once submitted, the team will review the referral and contact the patient to arrange the next step.

Which patients can be referred?

You can refer patients for a range of ophthalmology assessments and treatments, including cataract assessment, refractive lens exchange, laser vision correction suitability, corneal conditions, and general ophthalmic opinion. If you are unsure, submit the referral with your findings and the clinic will advise on suitability.

What information should I include in the referral?

Include presenting symptoms, duration, relevant ocular and medical history, current medications, VA (with correction), refraction, IOP (if available), slit lamp findings, fundus findings, and any relevant imaging or test results. Clear notes help triage and speed up appointment booking.

Can I attach images or test results (e.g., OCT, topography, visual fields)?

If the referral form supports attachments, include OCT scans, corneal topography/tomography, keratometry, biometry, visual fields, and fundus photos where relevant. If attachments are not available, note that imaging is available and the clinic can advise the best way to send it.

How quickly will my patient be seen?

Appointment times depend on clinical urgency and availability. Provide urgency and any red-flag symptoms in the referral so the clinic can triage appropriately. The team will contact the patient directly to arrange a suitable appointment time.

Will you keep me updated after I refer?

Yes. Following assessment and/or treatment, the clinic can provide outcome information back to the referring optometrist, supporting continuity of care. Ensure your practice contact details are included on the referral.

What happens after I submit a referral?

After submission, the clinic reviews the details, triages the case, and contacts the patient to explain the next steps and arrange an appointment. If additional clinical information is needed, the team may contact you for clarification.

Is the referral private, and will the patient need to pay?

This referral route is for private assessment and treatment. Fees and finance options (if available) can be discussed with the patient during booking. If you want the clinic to explain likely costs upfront, note this in your referral.

Refer a Patient for Private Eye Surgery

Fast, clinician-to-clinician referrals to EyeSurgeryClinic.co.uk for cataract, oculoplastics and other ophthalmology procedures across the UK. Use the referral form to request an appointment—our team will contact your patient promptly and keep you updated.

Secure, straightforward referral process for optometrists and healthcare professionals
Rapid appointment availability for private cataract assessment and surgery
Clear communication back to you, including outcomes and follow-up plans
Patient-friendly scheduling with flexible appointment options

Refer a patient now See what we need

If you’re unsure whether private surgery is suitable, refer for an assessment—our consultant will confirm diagnosis, discuss options and send you a summary.

Make a referral (UK optometrists & clinicians)

Use the form to request a private ophthalmology appointment for your patient. Include the key findings and any imaging you have (for example, OCT or fundus photos). We will:

Contact your patient to arrange a suitable appointment date/time
Confirm what to bring (spectacles, medication list, any prior reports)
Keep you informed with a clinic letter following assessment and treatment

Tip: If your patient is symptomatic (e.g., sudden vision loss, painful red eye, suspected retinal detachment), please direct them to emergency eye services. This referral route is for planned private assessment and surgery.

Referral details

First name

Surname

Telephone

Postcode

Optional—helps us suggest the nearest appointment options.

Patient details & clinical notes

Do not include unnecessary sensitive information. If you need to send images/reports, mention this and we will advise the best method.

What to include

By submitting this form you confirm you have the patient’s consent to share relevant information for the purpose of arranging assessment/treatment. We will use the details to contact the patient and coordinate care.

Who you can refer

If you’ve identified an ocular condition that may benefit from private ophthalmology assessment or surgery, you can refer directly. Common referral reasons include:

Cataract

Reduced acuity, glare, night driving issues or reduced contrast. Refer for diagnosis confirmation, lens discussion and surgical planning.

Oculoplastics

Eyelid problems such as ptosis, entropion/ectropion, lid lesions, watery eyes or periocular concerns needing specialist review.

Other procedures

Where appropriate, refer for specialist opinion on corneal, anterior segment and general ophthalmology concerns.

Not sure? Refer for an assessment and we’ll advise on suitability, likely timelines, and what outcomes your patient can reasonably expect.

Why refer to EyeSurgeryClinic.co.uk

Your patients value clarity, speed and outcomes. You value reliable feedback and a straightforward referral pathway. Our process is designed to support both.

Rapid access & scheduling

Private appointments can be arranged quickly, helping patients who are struggling with day-to-day activities due to vision or eyelid symptoms.

Clear clinic letters

We communicate findings, diagnosis, treatment plan and follow-up requirements so you can continue routine care with confidence.

Patient-centred explanations

We take time to explain options, risks and benefits, and what “good outcome” means for that patient’s lifestyle and expectations.

Evidence-based care

Assessment and surgical planning follow recognised clinical standards, with careful documentation of findings and informed consent.

Convenient pathway

From assessment through to procedure and post-op checks, we streamline the pathway so patients know what happens next.

Support for your practice

A dependable private option can improve patient satisfaction while reducing uncertainty for those considering surgery.

Prefer to discuss a case first? Submit the referral with your question in the notes. We’ll come back to you or the patient with the next steps.

Referral guide: what to include

Providing the right information helps us triage appropriately and makes the first appointment more productive. If you don’t have everything, send what you can—we’ll fill in the gaps at assessment.

Minimum helpful information

Reason for referral and suspected diagnosis
Laterality (right/left/both)
Best-corrected visual acuity (distance/near as relevant)
Key symptoms (glare, night driving, diplopia, watering, lid droop)
Relevant ocular history and previous surgery
Relevant systemic history and medication (incl. anticoagulants)

Useful attachments (if available)

OCT macula / RNFL scans
Fundus photos
Fields (where relevant)
IOP readings and pachymetry (where relevant)
Any previous ophthalmology letters
Refraction and keratometry (cataract planning support)

What happens after you refer

We contact your patient
We’ll phone/email to offer appointment dates and explain what to expect.
Consultation & diagnostic assessment
The consultant confirms diagnosis, discusses options and advises on suitability for private treatment.
Treatment planning
Where surgery is appropriate, we explain the procedure, recovery and follow-up requirements.
Feedback to referrer
We provide a summary letter so you have a clear record of outcomes and ongoing care needs.

Quick reference table

Referral type	Include in notes	Helpful tests
Cataract	BCVA, glare symptoms, driving concerns, ocular history, medication incl. anticoagulants	Refraction, keratometry, OCT (if reduced VA not fully explained)
Ptosis / lid malposition	Duration, functional impact, history of trauma/surgery, dry eye symptoms	Photos (front and upgaze), ocular surface assessment
Watery eye / suspected blockage	Triggers, frequency, discharge, prior infections, eyelid position	Ocular surface findings, lid laxity assessment

Consent reminder: Please ensure your patient understands you’re referring them to a private provider and that we will contact them to arrange an appointment.

Avoid common referral delays

A few small details can prevent back-and-forth and help your patient be seen sooner.

Common issues

Missing contact details for the patient
No indication of laterality (right/left/both)
Symptoms recorded but no VA or key clinical findings
Unclear urgency (routine vs. soon)
Not mentioning anticoagulants or relevant systemic conditions

Best practice

Include a short one-line problem summary at the top
Add VA and any relevant imaging results
State what matters to the patient (e.g., driving, work, reading)
Flag anything that may affect surgery or consent discussions
Tell us if you would like a copy letter for the GP as well

Referral FAQs

Do you accept referrals from optometrists?

Yes. If you’re an optometrist or healthcare professional in the UK, you can refer a patient for private assessment and treatment.

Will you keep me updated?

Where appropriate and with relevant consent, we provide feedback after assessment and treatment so you can continue routine care and record outcomes.

Can I refer for an opinion even if surgery is uncertain?

Yes. Many referrals are for confirmation of diagnosis and discussion of options. If surgery is not the best route, we’ll advise on next steps.

Is this suitable for urgent eye problems?

This page is for planned private care. If you suspect an emergency, please direct the patient to NHS urgent/emergency eye services.

Do patients have to self-pay?

Patients typically fund private assessment and treatment. If they have private medical insurance, they can check their policy terms and authorisation requirements.

What should I tell the patient?

Let them know we’ll contact them to book an appointment, and that the consultant will assess, explain options and provide a written plan where relevant.

Need to add more details after submitting? Submit the referral form and mention that additional results are pending—we can update the record when they arrive.

Trusted private eye care pathway

Referrers choose us because the process is straightforward and communication is consistent. Below are examples of what colleagues and patients value in a private referral pathway.

“Clear, timely feedback”

“The clinic letter made it easy to continue routine aftercare. The plan was clear and patient questions were addressed.”

— Referring optometrist (UK)

“Patient understood their options”

“They explained the benefits and risks in plain English, which helped the patient feel comfortable proceeding.”

— Community clinician

“Smooth from booking to follow-up”

“Appointments were organised quickly and follow-up instructions were simple. I knew what would happen next.”

— Patient feedback (private care)

Your patient’s experience matters. We aim for quick access, careful assessment, and transparent communication—so patients feel informed at every stage.

Ready to refer?

Send your referral in under 2 minutes. If you don’t have all results available today, submit what you have—our team will advise what else is needed.

Go to referral form See referral types

For emergencies, advise patients to attend NHS urgent/emergency eye services.

At a glance

Private cataract and oculoplastics referrals
Patient contacted promptly to book
Clinic letter to support continuity of care

Back to For Optometrists

Updated on 13 Mar 2026