Who can refer a patient to The Eye Surgery Clinic?

Referrals are typically made by optometrists and other healthcare professionals. If you are unsure whether your referral is appropriate, contact The Eye Surgery Clinic for guidance before submitting.

How do I refer a patient?

Use the referral process on https://www.eyesurgeryclinic.co.uk/refer-a-patient to submit the patient’s details and clinical information. Provide a clear reason for referral and any relevant test results to help triage and speed up booking.

What information should be included in a referral?

Include the patient’s contact details, brief medical and ocular history, current symptoms, reason for referral, and any relevant investigations (e.g., refraction, IOP, visual fields, OCT, topography) where available.

What happens after I submit a referral?

The clinic reviews the referral, triages the case, and then contacts the patient to arrange the most appropriate appointment. If additional information is needed, the clinic may contact the referrer to avoid delays.

Will you keep me updated on the outcome?

Where appropriate, the clinic can provide correspondence about the consultation findings and treatment plan, helping you maintain continuity of care for your patient.

Can I refer patients for laser eye surgery assessments?

Yes. Patients can be referred for suitability assessments for procedures such as laser vision correction. Include refraction history and any corneal imaging (if available) to support timely triage.

Can I refer patients for cataract or lens surgery?

Yes. You can refer patients for cataract assessment and lens-based options. Include visual acuity, symptoms affecting day-to-day activities, and any ocular comorbidities to support prioritisation.

How quickly can patients be seen?

Appointment availability varies. Submitting complete clinical information and any test results helps the clinic triage efficiently and offer the earliest suitable appointment.

What should patients expect at their first appointment?

Patients typically undergo a detailed assessment and discussion of diagnosis and treatment options. They may need diagnostic tests, so advise them to allow adequate time and to bring details of current medications and prescriptions.

How can I contact The Eye Surgery Clinic about a referral?

For referral queries or to provide additional clinical information, use the contact options provided on https://www.eyesurgeryclinic.co.uk/refer-a-patient or navigate via https://www.eyesurgeryclinic.co.uk/.

Refer a Patient for Private Eye Surgery (UK)

A fast, consultant-led pathway for cataract surgery, oculoplastics and other specialist eye procedures at EyeSurgeryClinic.co.uk. Submit a referral securely and we’ll contact the patient to arrange an appointment at a time that suits them.

Clear referral criteria and straightforward booking for private patients
Rapid triage and consultant review for appropriate cases
Patient-friendly communication, with updates available on request
Support for insured and self-pay pathways

Complete the referral form View referral criteria

For urgent eye emergencies, advise your patient to attend NHS 111, their local A&E, or the nearest eye casualty service.

Refer a patient securely

Use this form to refer a patient to EyeSurgeryClinic.co.uk for private eye care in the United Kingdom. Provide the essentials and we’ll triage the referral, contact the patient, and arrange an appointment with an appropriate consultant-led service.

Good to know: If you’d like us to send a confirmation back to your practice, include your practice email in the notes field and we’ll acknowledge receipt where appropriate.

If you are referring for cataract surgery, please include best-corrected visual acuity (if available), symptoms/impact, and relevant ocular history.

What happens after you submit?

We review the referral details and confirm the most suitable clinic pathway.
We contact the patient to book an appointment and explain what to expect.
Where appropriate, we can request additional information (e.g., medication list, prior letters, imaging).
We focus on clear patient communication and a smooth pre-op to post-op journey.

Referral form

Patient first name

Patient surname

Patient email

If the patient prefers not to share email, you can provide a telephone number instead.

Patient telephone

Patient postcode

Referral details (reason, symptoms, history)

See what to include

By submitting, you confirm you have the patient’s consent to share their details for the purpose of arranging an appointment. We process personal data in line with UK GDPR and clinical governance standards.

How referring to EyeSurgeryClinic.co.uk works

This page is designed for UK optometrists, GPs and healthcare professionals who want a reliable private route for patients seeking cataract assessment, oculoplastics consultation or other elective eye procedures. Our process prioritises safety, clear expectations and timely booking.

Submit the referral form with the patient’s contact details and a concise clinical summary.
We triage the referral and confirm the most appropriate service and appointment type.
We contact the patient to discuss availability, pricing/insurance options and next steps.
Consultation and investigations are arranged as needed (e.g., cataract work-up, eyelid assessment, pre-op checks).
Treatment and follow-up are delivered via a consultant-led pathway, with patient support throughout.

Need to refer multiple patients? Use the form for each patient to ensure the right clinical details and consent are captured. If you have a batch to discuss, note this in the referral details and we will advise the best approach.

Why clinicians refer to a private eye surgery clinic

Timely access for elective care

For suitable patients, private consultation and treatment can reduce delays and help patients plan around work and caring responsibilities.

Consultant-led decision-making

A clear pathway from assessment to treatment, with clinician-to-clinician clarity on the key details that matter.

Patient communication that reduces DNAs

We explain what’s involved, what to bring, and what to expect from consultation, surgery and follow-up—helping patients feel informed and supported.

Insurance and self-pay pathways

Patients can explore insured treatment where applicable, or self-pay options with transparent explanations of what’s included.

Appropriate onward referral

If a patient requires a different subspecialty service or urgent NHS pathway, we will advise accordingly.

Simple referral process

A single online form designed to capture the essentials without slowing down your clinic day.

Referral criteria (UK)

We accept referrals for many elective ophthalmology and oculoplastics concerns. If you’re unsure whether a patient is appropriate, submit the referral with the clinical context—our team will advise the most suitable next step.

Suitable for private referral

Cataract symptoms affecting day-to-day life (glare, reduced contrast, night driving issues)
Eyelid concerns (ptosis, dermatochalasis/blepharoplasty assessment, entropion/ectropion where appropriate)
Watery eyes and lid margin issues (where a specialist review is needed)
Benign eyelid lesions requiring assessment
Post-op second opinion for elective procedures (non-emergency)

Not appropriate for this form (urgent)

Suspected retinal detachment symptoms (flashes/floaters with field loss)
Sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, chemical injury
Acute angle closure glaucoma symptoms
Severe infection/ulcer suspected
Any condition requiring immediate NHS eye casualty / emergency assessment

Urgent symptoms: advise the patient to use NHS 111 or attend A&E/eye casualty.

Procedures and consultations we commonly accept

Referrals are triaged to the most relevant service. Where clinically indicated, the patient may be offered investigations prior to treatment planning.

Service	Typical referral reasons	Helpful information to include
Cataract surgery assessment	Blur, glare, reduced night driving confidence, reduced reading ability	VA (if available), symptoms, ocular history, meds incl. anticoagulants, diabetes status
Oculoplastics consultation	Ptosis, lid heaviness, cosmetic/functional lid concerns, watery eyes	Laterality, onset, photos if available, relevant history (thyroid eye disease etc.)
Eyelid lesion assessment	New or changing lesion, irritation, recurrent chalazion	Duration, growth/change, lash loss/ulceration features if present, prior treatments
General ophthalmology opinion	Non-urgent concerns needing specialist review	Your working diagnosis, key negatives, relevant letters, and patient preferences

Note: Not all procedures are listed above. If your patient needs a different elective ophthalmic assessment, include details in the referral and we will advise whether we can help.

What to include in a strong referral

High-quality referrals reduce back-and-forth and help the patient move through assessment and treatment efficiently. If you don’t have every item, include what you can—especially symptoms and relevant history.

Patient context

Preferred contact method and best times to call
Work/drive/reading impact (functional limitation)
Any access needs (mobility, hearing, interpreter)

Clinical essentials

Reason for referral and likely diagnosis
Key ocular history and prior procedures
VA and IOP if available, plus any relevant imaging/letters

Safety flags

Anticoagulants/antiplatelets and key meds
Allergies and significant medical history
Any red flags that warrant urgent NHS review

Consent reminder: Please ensure the patient understands they are being referred to a private service and has agreed to be contacted by our team.

Common referral mistakes (and how to avoid them)

A few quick checks can prevent delays and ensure the patient is booked into the right clinic first time.

Missing contact details

If possible include both email and telephone. If only one is available, mention the preferred method and best time to reach the patient.

No indication of urgency

If you are concerned about red flags, do not use this form—advise urgent NHS pathways. If it is routine, state this clearly.

Referral reason not specific enough

For cataracts, include functional impact (driving/reading/glare). For lids, include laterality, onset, and patient goals (functional vs cosmetic).

Medication and history omissions

Anticoagulants, diabetes, previous eye surgery and significant medical history can influence planning—add these where known.

Referral FAQs

Do you accept referrals from optometrists?

Yes. UK community optometrists commonly refer patients for private cataract assessment and oculoplastics consultations. Please include any relevant measurements or findings you have available.

Can patients be insured or self-pay?

Yes. Many patients explore private medical insurance where eligible, while others prefer a self-pay route. We’ll discuss options with the patient during booking.

Will you update the referrer?

If you need confirmation or a summary, indicate this in the referral details and include your preferred contact email in the notes. We will respond appropriately within governance limits.

What if the patient changes their mind?

That’s fine. Patients remain in control of whether they proceed. If they do not wish to book, we will not pursue further contact beyond reasonable attempts.

Do you see NHS patients?

This page is for private referrals. If a patient requires urgent or NHS-managed care, please direct them via the appropriate NHS pathways.

Can I refer without visual acuity?

Yes. VA is helpful but not essential. A clear description of symptoms and functional impact is often enough to triage appropriately.

Trust, governance and patient experience

When you refer a patient, you want confidence that they will be treated with respect, clarity and clinical diligence. We follow robust clinical processes and aim for high standards of communication at every stage.

Clear information

Patients are guided through consultation, investigation and treatment planning with plain-English explanations and realistic expectations.

Safety-first triage

We differentiate elective care from urgent presentations. If an NHS urgent pathway is needed, the patient is advised accordingly.

Respectful patient support

We aim to reduce anxiety with helpful booking support, pre-appointment guidance and clear next steps.

What patients say

“Everything was explained clearly and I felt listened to.”
Private consultation patient

“The booking process was smooth and the care felt very organised.”
Elective procedure patient

What referrers value

A simple online referral route
A patient experience aligned with professional standards
Appropriate triage and clear guidance when private care is not suitable

Ready to refer a patient?

Complete the referral form in under 2 minutes. Provide what you know today—we can request any additional information during triage.

Start referral Review the process

For urgent eye emergencies, direct patients to NHS 111 or emergency services.

Back to Eye Surgery Clinic

Updated on 13 Mar 2026