Concierge ophthalmology · London
Private eye examination in London, performed by a consultant ophthalmologist.
A proper eye examination goes far beyond a glasses check — OCT of the macula and optic nerve, IOP measurement, visual fields, and a dilated retinal exam by a consultant ophthalmologist.
Why patients choose us
- 01
The right test, not just a glasses check
We match your appointment to your concern — OCT, visual fields, dilated retinal exam or consultant review as your history demands.
- 02
Seen by a consultant ophthalmologist
A GMC-registered consultant or specialist optometrist examines your eyes and signs off the report.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private eye examination costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
Advanced eye exam with OCT: £150-£300; full glaucoma work-up £300-£600.
| Scan type | Indicative range | Typical duration | Report turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced eye exam + OCT | £150–£300 | 45–60 min | Same visit |
| Consultant ophthalmology assessment | £250–£500 | 45–60 min | Same visit |
| Diabetic eye screening | £150–£300 | 30–45 min | Same visit |
| Glaucoma work-up (OCT + visual fields) | £300–£600 | 60–90 min | Same visit |
| Macular OCT + fundus photography | £180–£350 | 30–45 min | Same visit |
| Pre-op assessment (cataract or refractive) | £250–£500 | 60–90 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, whether visual fields and dilation are included, and whether a full consultant ophthalmology assessment is booked. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
Most sight-threatening eye disease is silent.
Glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy can cause permanent vision loss long before you notice a symptom. A proper eye examination — not just a glasses check — is the one thing that catches them early.
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Glaucoma in the family?
First-degree relatives raise your risk substantially — OCT and visual fields find it early.
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Diabetic?
Retinopathy is the leading cause of preventable sight loss in working-age adults — screen properly.
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New floaters or flashes?
A sudden shower of floaters needs a dilated retinal exam to exclude retinal tear.
The journey
From enquiry to report — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to explained result — often within three working days.
Phase 1 · Before your visit
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
~45-90 minutes at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us why you need it
A short, confidential form. Blurred vision, floaters, family history of glaucoma, diabetes, headaches, referral or insurer if you have them.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: which tests you need, which clinic, indicative price. If a high-street optometrist would do, we say so.
- 03
Before
We arrange the appointment
Often same or next day, including evenings and Saturdays. Insurer pre-authorisation handled.
- 04
On the day
Arrival and preparation
Bring current glasses, contact lenses (out for 24h before some tests), and any prior reports. Dilating drops may be used.
- 05
On the day
The examination
Vision, refraction, intraocular pressure, OCT of macula and optic nerve, visual fields and a dilated retinal exam as indicated.
- 06
On the day
Straight home
Vision may be blurred for 4-6 hours if drops were used — arrange transport home. Otherwise back to normal.
- 07
After
Report and next steps
Consultant report with your prescription, IOP, OCT and visual-field findings, and clear next-step interval. We route it to your GP or specialist.
Typical end-to-end: 2-3 days. Urgent cases: same day.
What it shows
What a proper eye examination can actually tell you.
Ophthalmic testing answers a specific set of questions — these are the ones we are asked most.
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Refractive error
Accurate glasses and contact-lens prescription — myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia.
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Glaucoma risk
Intraocular pressure, optic-nerve OCT and visual fields to detect and monitor glaucoma.
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Macular degeneration
OCT of the macula picks up early AMD long before vision changes are obvious.
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Diabetic retinopathy
Screening for the retinal changes that come with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
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Dry eye disease
Tear-film assessment and meibomian-gland evaluation for chronic dryness or irritation.
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Sudden floaters or flashes
Urgent dilated retinal exam to exclude retinal tear or detachment.
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Red flags
Sudden vision loss, severe eye pain or a curtain across vision — 999 or A&E, not us.
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General health screen
A retinal exam often picks up systemic disease — hypertension, diabetes, raised intracranial pressure.
Scan types
Not all eye tests are the same.
What each option on your appointment is actually for.
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Comprehensive eye exam
Vision, refraction, ocular motility and slit-lamp examination — the foundation of every visit.
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OCT (macula + optic nerve)
A high-resolution cross-section of the retina — the modern standard for macular and glaucoma care.
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Visual field test (Humphrey)
The automated field test used for glaucoma monitoring and neuro-ophthalmic assessment.
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Fundus photography
A wide-field colour photograph of the retina — a baseline you can compare year on year.
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Intraocular pressure (Goldmann tonometry)
The gold-standard measurement of eye pressure, central to glaucoma diagnosis.
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Diabetic eye screening protocol
A structured retinal assessment for anyone with diabetes, done properly with dilation.
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Glaucoma work-up (OCT + fields + IOP + gonioscopy)
The full battery to diagnose, stage and monitor glaucoma in one consultant-led visit.
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Contact-lens fitting
Specialist fitting for soft, rigid, toric or multifocal lenses, including problem contact-lens wearers.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of clinics, we picked them.
Partners across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinic in our network.
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CQC-registered clinics with a current good or outstanding rating
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Consultants registered with the GMC, and optometrists with the GOC
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Modern OCT and visual-field equipment, kept in calibration
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Consistent equipment for repeat surveillance so results compare properly
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Onward referral pathway to retinal, glaucoma and oculoplastic specialists
Safety and eligibility
Painless, non-invasive — and safe in pregnancy.
Eye examinations are among the safest tests in medicine. The practical points are dilating drops, contact-lens timing, and knowing what counts as an emergency.
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Dilating drops blur vision
Vision is blurred for 4-6 hours after dilation — do not drive, arrange transport home.
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OCT and fundus photography
Painless and non-invasive. No injection, no radiation, no discomfort.
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Pregnancy
Eye examination is fine in pregnancy — we avoid unnecessary dilating drops where we can.
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Children
Under-16s need a paediatric-experienced eye clinic — we book you into the right one.
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Sudden vision loss
Sudden loss of vision, severe pain or a curtain across vision is an emergency — 999 or A&E.
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Contact lenses
Take contact lenses out for 24 hours before certain measurements — we tell you which.
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Diabetic patients
Bring your most recent HbA1c and any prior retinal photos or reports.
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Recent eye surgery
Recent cataract or refractive surgery affects some tests — tell us the operation date.
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New floaters or flashes
Sudden new floaters or flashes of light need same-day assessment to exclude retinal tear.
Reading your report
An eye-exam report looks technical. It isn’t.
Every eye examination report keeps to the same four parts, whatever tests were done.
A quiet reminder
An abnormal finding is a signal, not a sentence — most eye disease is treatable when caught early.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Your details and presenting symptoms
Your details, why you came in, and any relevant medical or ocular history.
- 02 Technique
Which tests were done
Vision, refraction, IOP, OCT, visual fields, and whether the retinal exam was dilated or undilated.
- 03 Findings
The numbers and images
Visual acuity, refraction, intraocular pressure, OCT, visual field and disc appearance at each eye.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
Glasses prescription, glaucoma risk category, retinal findings and next-step interval — read this first.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about private eye examinations.
Quick answers on cost, referrals, glaucoma, diabetic screening, floaters and children.
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What does a proper private eye examination include?
Vision and refraction, intraocular pressure, OCT of the macula and optic nerve, visual fields where indicated, and a dilated retinal examination by a consultant ophthalmologist or specialist optometrist. It goes far beyond a glasses check.
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How much does a private eye examination in London cost?
An advanced eye exam with OCT is typically £150-£300. A full consultant ophthalmology assessment is £250-£500, and a glaucoma work-up with OCT and visual fields is £300-£600. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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Do I need a referral?
Most clinics accept self-referral for eye examinations, including OCT and glaucoma work-ups. If a consultant sub-specialist opinion would help — retinal, glaucoma, oculoplastics — we arrange that too.
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How often should adults have an eye examination?
Every two years is a reasonable baseline for adults with no symptoms and no risk factors. Annually if you are over 60, have diabetes, glaucoma in the family, or a high refractive error. Sooner if anything changes.
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High-street optometrists versus consultant ophthalmology — what is the difference?
A high-street optometrist is excellent for a glasses check and general screening. A consultant ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats eye disease — indicated when you have symptoms, glaucoma risk, diabetes or a family history that matters.
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How is glaucoma tested for?
Intraocular pressure with Goldmann tonometry, an OCT of the optic nerve to look for thinning of the nerve-fibre layer, and a Humphrey visual field test. These three together are the modern standard for detecting and monitoring glaucoma.
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I get NHS diabetic eye screening — do I still need this privately?
NHS screening is a photograph-based programme designed to catch sight-threatening retinopathy. A private diabetic eye screening adds a full consultant exam, OCT of the macula and a slit-lamp view — useful if you have advanced diabetes, macular changes, or want reassurance beyond the photograph.
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Floaters and flashes — when should I worry?
A sudden shower of new floaters, flashes of light, or a curtain or shadow across your vision needs a dilated retinal exam within 24 hours to exclude a retinal tear or detachment. Long-standing floaters that have not changed are almost always harmless.
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Is a private eye examination covered by insurance?
Many policies cover a consultant ophthalmology assessment when there is a medical reason — glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, sudden symptoms. Routine glasses checks are usually not covered. We confirm cover with your insurer before booking.
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How young can children have an eye exam?
Children can have a full eye examination from any age in the right hands — we book paediatric ophthalmology clinics that are set up for infants and children. Every child should have their vision checked before starting school.
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