Eye Care

Some patients may be entitled to free NHS sight tests (dependent on age, receipt of certain benefits, and potential conditions such as glaucoma), but most people will have to pay. 

You can also choose to have an OCT (Optical Coherence Tomograph) scan as part of your eye examination, this may involve an additional fee even if you are entitled to a free NHS eye test.

OCT scans are sometimes offered privately for patients at risk of eye disease to provide detailed images of the retina, even if you are entitled to a free NHS eye test.

Eyesight tests are quite inexpensive and yet optometrists or ophthalmic opticians are highly trained, routinely screening patients for a number of possible health problems when undertaking tests. They are also able to correct a very wide range of eye conditions with spectacles or contact lenses. 

Lightweight plastic lenses have largely done away with thick unsightly glass lenses, and frames now often carry the names of leading fashion designers. Contact lens wearers, meanwhile, can now opt for soft lenses or disposable lenses for a very wide range of prescriptions. Lenses can even be bi-focal.  

An alternative to wearing glasses and contact lenses is laser eye surgery, a painless procedure that takes only a very short time to perform. Although not suitable for everyone, laser eye surgery can correct common refractive errors such as myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness), and astigmatism, improving vision without glasses or contact lenses. There are several different types of laser eye surgery and fees can vary, although generally the procedures are becoming less expensive as they become more popular. 

In some circumstances, where staff use computer screens as part of their regular work, their employer will meet the cost of routine eye tests, although not the cost of spectacles or lenses. 

Eye Surgery

Eye surgery, also known as ocular surgery, is surgery performed on the eye, typically by an ophthalmologist. Typical surgeries include: 

• Cataract surgery
• Glaucoma surgery
• Refractive surgery
• Corneal transplant
• Vertoretinal surgery
• Eye muscle surgery
• Oculoplastic surgery 

Why should I consider eye surgery in a Private Clinic/ Hospital if I can get it for free in an NHS facility?

One of the benefits of choosing a private clinic/hospital over the NHS is due to the reduced waiting times. You can also choose the consultant to perform your eye surgery. 

In many NHS facilities, the surgeon who makes your diagnosis may not perform your surgery, depending on operating schedules and staff availability. 

Leading private eye clinics and hospitals often offer the latest advanced lenses, including premium intraocular lenses, which may not be available through the NHS. 

Private clinics/Hospitals are equipped with the latest computerised and technologically advanced equipment. This is of importance when it comes to precise diagnosis, determining the best treatment and most suitable outcome for your particular eye condition. 

Laser eye surgery is rarely offered on the NHS and is generally reserved for medical conditions that could cause sight loss. It is not provided for routine correction of refractive errors that can be treated with glasses or contact lenses.