Oculoplastics · Eyelid surgery cost guide · 2026

Private ectropion eyelid surgery cost

Private surgery to correct ectropion — an outward-turning lower eyelid — typically costs £2,000–£3,500 per eyelid depending on the technique needed, usually as a day case under local anaesthetic. Here’s what you’ll pay in 2026, what’s included, and how to be seen quickly by a consultant oculoplastic surgeon.

From ~£2,200per eyelid, local anaesthetic
Day caseHome the same day
~£200–£350typical initial consultation
No GP referralneeded to go private

Private ectropion repair in the UK typically costs from around £2,200 per eyelid, with most cases falling between £2,000 and £3,500 depending on the surgical technique and whether one or both eyelids are treated. It is a short day-case operation, usually under local anaesthetic, that tightens and re-positions a sagging or outward-turning lower eyelid. Read more about the condition and the ectropion procedure.

How much does ectropion surgery cost?

The price depends mainly on the cause of the ectropion and the technique required. As a 2026 UK self-pay guide:

Standard (involutional)

Around £2,000–£2,800 per eyelid. Age-related lid laxity corrected with a lateral tarsal strip and lid-tightening.

Complex / cicatricial

Around £2,800–£3,500+ per eyelid. Scarred or sun-damaged skin needing a graft or flap adds to the cost.

Both eyelids

Ask for a combined quote if both lower lids need surgery — treating both together is often more cost-effective.

We quote a single all-inclusive price covering the consultation, the day-case procedure and follow-up. An initial consultation typically costs £200–£350 and is often redeemable against treatment. Compare related eyelid procedures such as ptosis (droopy eyelid) repair and blepharoplasty, or see the full oculoplastic price list.

NHS vs private ectropion surgery

Ectropion repair is available on the NHS when the eyelid position causes symptoms such as watering, soreness, exposure of the eye surface or recurrent infection, because it is a functional (not cosmetic) problem. However, oculoplastic waiting lists vary by region and can run several months. Going private means you can be assessed within days, choose your consultant, and have surgery within a few weeks. If the eye is very sore, red or the vision is affected, seek prompt medical advice rather than waiting.

Want a clear, all-inclusive price for ectropion surgery — and the soonest date?

Get a personalised quote

What’s included in the price?

A transparent private eyelid-surgery package should include: the consultant oculoplastic surgeon’s assessment, the day-case procedure and theatre or minor-operations fee, local anaesthetic, and routine post-operative review and suture removal. Always check whether the quote is per eyelid or for both, and whether a skin graft (if needed for scarred skin) is included. Read more about oculoplastic surgery.

How to be seen privately

You do not need a GP referral to pay privately — you can self-refer, choose your consultant and usually be assessed within days. Eye Surgery Clinic provides consultant-led oculoplastic care with clear written quotes across the South of England and UK-wide guidance. Our consultant surgeons will confirm the cause of your ectropion and the best technique at your assessment. A related condition, where the eyelid turns inward, is entropion — see combined entropion and ectropion pricing.

Frequently asked questions

How much does private ectropion surgery cost in the UK?
From around £2,200 per eyelid, with most cases between £2,000 and £3,500 depending on the technique. Complex or scarred (cicatricial) ectropion needing a skin graft costs more, and both-eyelid surgery is usually quoted as a combined package.
Is ectropion surgery painful?
No. It is normally done under local anaesthetic, so the eyelid is completely numb. You may feel mild pressure during the procedure and some tightness and bruising for a week or two afterwards, managed with simple pain relief.
How long is the recovery?
Most people are back to normal activities within a week or two. Bruising and swelling settle over 1–2 weeks, stitches are usually removed or dissolve within about two weeks, and the final result settles over a few weeks.
Can ectropion come back after surgery?
Modern lid-tightening techniques such as the lateral tarsal strip have a high success rate, but recurrence is possible over time, particularly with ongoing age-related laxity or scarring. Your surgeon will discuss the expected outcome for your specific case.
Is ectropion surgery available on the NHS?
Yes, when it causes functional symptoms such as watering, soreness or exposure of the eye. Waiting times vary by region, so many patients choose to go private to be seen and treated within weeks.

Get a private ectropion surgery quote

Consultant-led oculoplastic care with a clear, all-inclusive price and appointments within weeks. If your eye is very painful or red, seek prompt medical advice.

Updated on 3 Jul 2026