What to Expect at Your Eye Surgery Consultation

A private eye consultation usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. A consultant ophthalmologist takes your history, examines your eyes, runs scans such as biometry and OCT where needed, then explains your diagnosis and options in plain English. You leave with a clear plan — with no obligation to proceed.

Your consultation: what happens and why it matters

A consultation at Eye Surgery Clinic is designed to answer three important questions: what is causing your symptoms, what treatment is most suitable, and what outcome you can realistically expect. Whether you are exploring cataract surgery, oculoplastics (eyelid surgery), glaucoma care or refractive lens exchange, the first appointment is where we build a safe, personalised plan.

You will see a consultant ophthalmologist who takes a medical history, reviews any referral letters or past prescriptions, performs detailed eye measurements, and talks you through the findings in plain UK English. If surgery is appropriate, we discuss timing, preparation, recovery and any risks specific to your eyes and health. A consultation does not commit you to treatment — many patients attend simply to understand their options and decide later.

At a glance: you will see a consultant with eye-surgery experience; you will receive an examination, scans and a tailored explanation; you can ask about suitability, lens choices, recovery, costs and timelines; and you will leave with clear next steps and how to book if you wish to proceed.

Your consultation step by step

1. Welcome and history (5–10 min)

We check you in and take a focused history: your symptoms and how long they have been present, how they affect daily life (driving, reading, glare, watery eyes), your general health, medication, allergies and any previous eye treatment. Bring your referral letter or optometrist report if you have one.

2. Vision and refraction (5–10 min)

We measure how clearly you see with and without glasses (visual acuity) and check your current prescription (refraction). This quantifies the problem and sets a baseline against which we can measure improvement after treatment.

3. Scans and measurements (10–20 min)

Depending on what is being considered, you may have a slit-lamp examination, intraocular pressure check, biometry (for cataract or lens surgery) and an OCT scan of the retina or optic nerve. Dilating drops are sometimes used to examine the back of the eye, which can blur your vision for a few hours.

4. Consultant examination and diagnosis (10–15 min)

The consultant examines your eyes, reviews the scan results, and explains what is causing your symptoms — and whether anything else, such as dry eye, is contributing. You will understand the “why”, not just the “what”.

5. Options, risks and your plan (5–15 min)

We discuss whether surgery is appropriate now, later or not at all; the alternatives; realistic outcomes; recovery; and the main risks in your specific case. For cataract surgery this includes lens choices and target vision; for eyelid surgery, function, symmetry and healing.

6. Next steps

If you want to proceed, we outline available dates, what pre-operative checks are required, aftercare, and costs. If you are not ready, you leave with clear markers for when to return. There is never any pressure to decide on the day.

Tests and scans you may have

Not every patient needs every test. We choose investigations based on your symptoms and the procedure being considered — cataract assessment uses different measurements to an oculoplastics consultation. These tests are typically quick and non-invasive.

Test / scan	What it checks	Why it matters
Visual acuity & refraction	How clearly you see with and without glasses	Quantifies the problem and sets realistic targets after treatment
Slit-lamp examination	The front of the eye (cornea, lens, eyelids)	Supports diagnosis of cataract, dry eye and lid-margin issues
Intraocular pressure (IOP)	The pressure inside the eye	Used in glaucoma risk assessment and overall eye-health planning
Biometry	Eye length and corneal shape	Calculates the most suitable intraocular lens power for cataract or lens surgery
OCT scan	Cross-section images of the retina and optic nerve	Checks underlying conditions that may affect outcomes and symptoms
Photography / eyelid measurements	Lid position, function and anatomy	Helps plan safe eyelid surgery and document functional impact

Comfort note: if dilating drops are used, your near vision may be blurred and you may be sensitive to light for a few hours afterwards, so plan your travel accordingly.

What to bring to your appointment

Your glasses and/or contact-lens details (bring a lens case if you wear contacts).
A list of medicines (including eye drops), allergies, and key medical conditions.
Any previous letters or test results, whether NHS or private.
A note of your symptoms and how they affect daily life — driving, reading, glare, watery eyes.
Sunglasses, in case dilating drops leave you light-sensitive, and ideally a companion or alternative transport if your pupils are dilated.

If you have diabetes, glaucoma, or take blood thinners, tell us in advance or bring the details. It does not necessarily stop treatment, but it can affect planning and aftercare. If you wear contact lenses, ask whether you should leave them out before certain measurements such as corneal mapping.

Ready to discuss your eyes with a consultant? Book a private consultation to understand your diagnosis, options and the safest next step.

Request an appointment

Questions worth asking (bring this list)

What diagnosis best explains my symptoms, and is anything else contributing?
What are the benefits and the main risks in my specific case?
What results can I realistically expect — and what might not improve?
How long is recovery, and when can I drive, work and exercise?
What lens options do I have, and how do they affect distance and near vision? (for cataract or lens surgery)
What aftercare is included, and who do I contact if I am worried?
What is the all-inclusive cost, and what does it cover?

Consultation and assessment costs

Across UK private ophthalmology, an initial consultant consultation typically costs in the region of £200 to £300, with diagnostic scans sometimes charged separately. At Eye Surgery Clinic, your assessment is arranged through our team and the full cost is confirmed to you in writing before you attend, so there are no surprises.

If you go on to treatment, our surgery pricing is all-inclusive — covering your consultant’s fees, the procedure, the facility and standard follow-up — with no NHS waiting list. You can browse indicative treatment costs by category, including cataract surgery and oculoplastics, on our prices page. We also welcome insured patients and offer finance options to spread the cost.

Prices shown across the site are indicative; for a precise, all-inclusive quote for your eyes, request an appointment for a consultant-led assessment.

After your consultation: what happens next

At the end of the appointment you should feel confident about your diagnosis and the options available. Depending on your situation, the next steps usually fall into one of three routes:

Proceed to booking. If surgery is suitable and you want to proceed, we explain available dates, the pre-operative checks required, and what aftercare to expect. See preparing for surgery and recovery.
Try treatment first. Some issues benefit from non-surgical treatment initially, such as dry-eye management. We advise what to do and when to review.
Monitor and return. If it is not the right time, you leave with clear markers for when to come back — such as changes in vision, glare or functional impact.

You can read more about the full patient journey from first enquiry to discharge, and meet our surgeons.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an eye consultation take?

Most private eye consultations take around 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your symptoms and the tests required. If multiple scans are needed, allow extra time so you do not feel rushed. If dilating drops are used, your vision may be blurred for a few hours afterwards, so factor that into your travel plans.

Do I need an NHS referral for a private consultation?

No. You can self-refer for private assessment in the UK. If you have an NHS referral letter or a recent optometrist report or test results, they are helpful to bring along, but they are not essential to book.

Will I need dilating drops?

Not always. If used, dilating drops enlarge your pupils so the consultant can examine the inside of the eye, including the retina. Your vision can be blurry and light-sensitive for a few hours afterwards, so it is sensible to bring sunglasses and arrange not to drive immediately after the appointment.

What tests and scans might I have?

Common tests include visual acuity and refraction, a slit-lamp examination, an intraocular pressure check, biometry (eye measurements for cataract or lens surgery), and an OCT scan of the retina or optic nerve. For eyelid concerns we may take photographs and eyelid measurements. Not every patient needs every test — we choose investigations based on your symptoms and the procedure considered.

Can I wear contact lenses to the appointment?

Often yes, but some measurements, particularly corneal mapping and cataract biometry, can be affected by contact lenses. If you are booking for detailed measurements, ask us in advance so we can tell you whether to leave your lenses out for a period beforehand.

How much does a private eye consultation cost?

Across UK private ophthalmology, an initial consultant consultation typically costs in the region of £200 to £300, with diagnostic scans sometimes charged separately. Your assessment cost is confirmed to you in writing before you attend. If you proceed to surgery, our treatment pricing is all-inclusive, covering the consultant, procedure, facility and standard follow-up.

Will you tell me the risks?

Yes. We explain general risks and the ones most relevant to you, including how we reduce them. You will have time to ask questions before deciding anything, and a consultation never commits you to surgery.

What should I bring to my consultation?

Bring your glasses and contact-lens details, a list of your medicines and allergies, any previous eye letters or test results, and a note of your symptoms and how they affect daily life. If you have diabetes, glaucoma or take blood thinners, bring those details too, as they can affect planning and aftercare.

What if I am not sure about surgery?

That is very common. Many patients attend to understand their options, get a second opinion, or confirm whether the timing is right. We will advise you either way and there is no pressure to proceed. You can monitor and return when you are ready.

What happens if my symptoms are sudden or severe?

Sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, new flashing lights or floaters, or a curtain-like shadow should be assessed urgently rather than waiting for a routine consultation. Please use our urgent eye advice guidance, or seek emergency care via NHS 111, A&E or 999 depending on severity.

Reviewed 30 May 2026 by the Eye Surgery Clinic consultant team. Consultant-led care at clinics across South England. Editorial information only — not a substitute for individual medical advice.

What to expect at your eye surgery consultation