Private eye treatments, led by consultants

Private eye surgery in South England covers cataract, laser vision correction, glaucoma, retinal and oculoplastic procedures, all carried out by consultant ophthalmic surgeons. Self-pay prices start from around £950 per eye for SLT laser glaucoma treatment and £2,900 per eye for standard monofocal cataract surgery, and no GP referral is needed to book. You are assessed and treated by the same consultant throughout, with all-inclusive pricing confirmed at your consultation and no NHS waiting list.

Eye Surgery Clinic brings together cataract and lens specialists, refractive (laser) surgeons, glaucoma consultants, vitreoretinal surgeons and oculoplastic surgeons under one coordinated pathway. Whether you are weighing up private cataract surgery, exploring laser vision correction to reduce your dependence on glasses, or seeking rapid review of a sight-threatening retinal problem, your care is consultant-led from first assessment to final follow-up. The sections below explain who each treatment suits, how the clinical decision is made, what to expect on the day, and when to seek urgent help.

Cataract & lens surgery

Lens-based surgery restores clear vision and can reduce or remove your need for glasses. It is the right pathway when a clouding natural lens (cataract) is blurring your sight, when age-related long-sightedness (presbyopia) makes reading tiring, or when a very high prescription is hard to correct with glasses or contact lenses. Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed and most successful operations in the UK, and as a private patient you can choose the timing, the surgeon and the lens implant rather than waiting on an NHS list.

The clinical decision turns on your lens choice and your visual goals. A standard monofocal implant gives excellent distance vision but you will usually still need reading glasses; toric lenses additionally correct astigmatism; and premium extended-depth-of-focus (EDOF) and trifocal implants are designed to give a fuller range of vision across distance, intermediate and near. Your consultant uses precise biometry measurements to plan the implant power, and will set realistic expectations about glasses-independence, night vision and the trade-offs of each lens. Each eye is usually treated as a painless day case taking around 10–15 minutes, with most patients noticing clearer vision within a day or two.

We also offer ICL implantable contact lenses for high prescriptions and the Light Adjustable Lens, which is fine-tuned after surgery. See full cataract surgery prices or compare implant lens costs. If you are unsure whether a premium lens is worth it, our trifocal vs EDOF guide and glasses-after-surgery guide compare the real-world results.

Laser vision correction

Laser vision correction reshapes the cornea to correct short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism, reducing or removing the need for glasses and contact lenses. It suits adults with a stable prescription, healthy corneas and realistic expectations, and is typically chosen by people in their twenties to forties who are tired of glasses or intolerant of contact lenses. A thorough consultant assessment — corneal thickness, tear-film health, pupil size and prescription stability — determines whether laser is suitable and which technique gives the safest, most predictable outcome.

LASIK, LASEK and PRK remain the established treatments, while newer keyhole, flapless techniques such as SMILE and SILK remove a small lenticule through a tiny incision. For presbyopia after 40, laser blended vision (PRESBYOND) can be tailored to extend functional reading range. Most patients return to normal activities within a day or two, with vision continuing to sharpen over the following weeks. Where a prescription is very high or the cornea is unsuitable for laser, your surgeon may recommend a lens-based alternative such as an ICL or refractive lens exchange instead.

Newer keyhole options include SILK lenticule surgery and SmartSight. Read the latest glasses-free vision guidance.

Glaucoma surgery

Glaucoma treatment lowers the pressure inside the eye to protect the optic nerve and preserve your remaining field of vision. Because early glaucoma is usually symptom-free, it is often picked up at a routine optician check, and prompt consultant assessment matters — sight already lost to glaucoma cannot be recovered, so the goal is to stop further damage. A private pathway gives you rapid access to specialist pressure checks, visual-field testing and optic-nerve imaging, and a treatment plan tailored to how advanced the condition is.

Treatment is a ladder. Many people start with pressure-lowering eye drops or selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), a quick outpatient laser that can reduce or replace drops. When drops and laser are not enough, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) — such as the iStent, often combined with cataract surgery — offers a low-risk step up, while microshunt and filtration surgery are reserved for moderate-to-advanced disease. Your consultant chooses the option that balances pressure control against recovery and risk for your specific eye.

Compare options in our drops vs SLT vs MIGS guide, or view glaucoma treatment prices.

Retina & macula

Our vitreoretinal and medical-retina service treats conditions affecting the light-sensitive retina and the macula at the back of the eye, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal detachment, macular holes and persistent floaters. Some of these are genuine emergencies: a sudden shower of new floaters, flashing lights or a curtain-like shadow over your vision can signal a retinal tear or detachment and needs same-day assessment. Others, such as dry AMD or an epiretinal membrane, are managed with monitoring and planned surgery. Either way, rapid consultant review protects sight that delay can cost.

Wet AMD is treated with anti-VEGF injections that preserve central vision, and starting promptly gives the best result. Retinal detachment is repaired surgically to reattach the retina, while macular holes, epiretinal membranes and vitreomacular traction are corrected with vitrectomy. Because timing is critical for many retinal problems, our private pathway is built around fast access to imaging and a vitreoretinal surgeon rather than a long wait.

We also treat dry AMD, epiretinal membrane, floaters, vitreomacular traction and vitreous haemorrhage through our vitreoretinal surgery service. If you have sudden visual symptoms, see urgent advice straight away, and read our guide on when floaters are a warning sign.

Eyelid & oculoplastic surgery

Oculoplastic surgery addresses the eyelids, tear ducts and the tissue around the eye, where problems can be functional, cosmetic or both. A drooping upper lid (ptosis) or heavy, hooded skin can block the upper field of vision; in-turning or out-turning lids (entropion and ectropion) cause chronic irritation, watering and exposure; and a stubborn lid lump (chalazion) can be uncomfortable and slow to settle. These procedures are carried out by oculoplastic surgeons who balance the health and comfort of the eye with a natural-looking result.

Blepharoplasty removes excess upper- or lower-lid skin and fat to refresh the eyes and, where vision is affected, to widen the visual field. Ptosis correction tightens or repositions the lid-lifting muscle to raise a drooping eyelid. Most eyelid operations are performed as day cases under local anaesthetic with a short recovery. Your consultant will explain whether your concern is primarily functional or aesthetic, as this affects the surgical plan and your expectations.

We also treat entropion, ectropion and chalazion. Compare oculoplastic surgery prices or read the blepharoplasty vs ptosis guide.

How much does private eye surgery cost?

The figures below are indicative self-pay “from” prices to help you orient your budget before a consultation. As a self-pay patient you avoid the NHS waiting list and know the all-inclusive cost in advance; the exact fee depends on your eye, the lens or technique chosen, and whether one or both eyes are treated. Each row links to the detailed price page, where you will find what is included, finance options and any premium upgrades.

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.

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