Concierge ophthalmology · UK
Dry eye clinic, IPL, LipiFlow and consultant-led drops.
A structured private dry eye programme - meibomian gland imaging, thermal expression (LipiFlow), intense pulsed light (IPL) and prescription drops delivered by a consultant ophthalmologist.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A consultant ophthalmologist
A named consultant owns the plan - not an optometrist selling a machine.
- 02
A diagnosis, not a device
Meibomian imaging and tear film measurements first - treatment is chosen from that, not from what the clinic owns.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic or device maker. Impartial recommendation, no cost to you.
Indicative pricing
What dry eye clinic (ipl / lipiflow) and its alternatives cost.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
Full dry eye programme: £250–£1,500, depending on treatments chosen.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full dry eye programme (assessment + treatment) | £250–£1,500 | Multiple visits | Programme |
| IPL for dry eye (per session) | £400–£900 | 15–20 min | Same visit |
| Consultant dry eye assessment | £350–£550 | 60 min | Same visit |
| LipiFlow thermal pulsation (both eyes) | £150–£400 | 12 min/eye | Same visit |
| Meibography + tear film imaging | £200–£500 | 30 min | Same visit |
| Autologous serum drops (setup + 3 months) | £450–£900 | Setup | 1–2 weeks |
Prices vary by clinic, by which consultant does the case, and by whether preoperative investigations are included or billed separately. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
A diagnosis first - then a programme, not a machine.
Dry eye is a chronic disease with several patterns. The value of a real dry eye clinic is characterising your pattern before treatment - not putting every patient on the same conveyor of IPL.
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Imaging first
Meibography and tear film measurements to classify the disease before any treatment.
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Right treatment mix
IPL, LipiFlow, prescription drops and lid hygiene - chosen for you, not sold as a package.
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Consultant-led
A consultant ophthalmologist owns the plan across the whole programme.
The journey
From enquiry to recovery - what happens, in order.
One consultant from first message to six-month review, with a written self-care routine you keep for life.
Phase 1 · Before
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
Under a day at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Symptoms, contact lens use, screen hours, and what has already been tried.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: the right consultant, the likely programme (IPL, LipiFlow or drops), and an indicative price.
- 03
Before
We arrange the assessment
A 60-minute consultation with meibomian imaging and tear film testing, usually within a week.
- 04
On the day
Diagnosis and plan
The consultant walks you through the imaging, the diagnosis and the plan. Treatment often starts the same day.
- 05
On the day
First treatment
First IPL session (about 15 minutes) or LipiFlow procedure (12 minutes per eye) - no downtime, back to work the same hour.
- 06
After
Treatment programme
Usually four IPL sessions three weeks apart, plus LipiFlow if indicated. Prescription drops in parallel where needed.
- 07
After
Long-term plan
A written self-care routine, home imaging where useful, and reviews at three and six months.
End to end: Typical end-to-end: 3–4 months for the initial programme. Maintenance: 6–12 months.
When it helps
When dry eye clinic (ipl / lipiflow) is the right step.
The situations that fit dry eye clinic (ipl / lipiflow) - and the red flag that means an urgent assessment first, not a booking.
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Meibomian gland dysfunction
The most common cause of dry eye - oil glands in the eyelid margin blocked or atrophied.
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Ocular rosacea
Facial rosacea with lid inflammation and dry eye - IPL is a first-line answer.
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Contact lens intolerance
Contacts that used to be comfortable but now sting or blur through the day.
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Digital eye strain
Long screen sessions, reduced blink rate and evening burning that gets worse each week.
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Sjögren-related dry eye
Autoimmune dry eye needing prescription drops and, often, autologous serum.
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Post-LASIK dry eye
Dry eye that persists months after laser eye surgery - a specific pattern with specific answers.
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Demodex blepharitis
Lid margin mites - diagnosed on slit-lamp and treated with tea tree lid scrubs or newer prescription drops.
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Red flag: corneal ulcer
Severe pain, sudden vision drop, redness with discharge - needs same-day ophthalmology review, not a dry eye clinic.
Treatment options
A dry eye programme is a mix of tools.
What each treatment does - and how they fit together in a real programme.
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IPL (intense pulsed light)
Pulses of light applied to the periocular skin - reduces inflammation, closes abnormal blood vessels and warms the meibomian glands.
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LipiFlow
A device that gently warms and massages each eyelid for 12 minutes to unblock the meibomian glands.
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Prescription drops
Cyclosporine, lifitegrast or steroid drops to reduce ocular surface inflammation.
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Autologous serum drops
Drops made from your own blood serum - for severe or Sjögren-related dry eye.
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Lid hygiene
Warm compresses, lid scrubs, tea tree preparations for demodex - cornerstone home care.
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Punctal plugs
Small plugs placed in the tear drainage puncta to keep more tears on the eye.
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Scleral contact lenses
Custom lenses that vault the cornea and hold a fluid reservoir - for severe surface disease.
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Consultation only
An honest discussion of whether treatment is needed at all - no obligation.
Our vetted network
A small panel of consultants, we picked them.
Consultant ophthalmologists across the UK with a subspecialty dry eye and ocular surface practice, and clinics with meibography, IPL and LipiFlow on site.
Selection criteria
How we choose every consultant in our network.
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Consultant ophthalmologists with a subspecialty dry eye or ocular surface practice
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Clinics with meibography, tear film osmolarity and MMP-9 testing on site
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Latest-generation IPL and LipiFlow platforms
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Prescription and autologous serum drop pathways available in-house
Safety and recovery
What to expect, honestly.
IPL and LipiFlow are outpatient with no downtime. The important things to plan are the programme length, the sun-and-tan considerations for IPL, and knowing that dry eye is a chronic condition.
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No downtime
Both IPL and LipiFlow are outpatient - back to work the same hour.
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IPL skin prep
Skin should be clear of tan and make-up. Eye shields are worn during IPL.
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Mild transient dryness
Some patients feel mildly drier for a day or two after LipiFlow before improvement begins.
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Effect takes weeks
Improvement is typically seen after two of four IPL sessions and continues over three to six months.
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Programme not one-off
Dry eye is a chronic condition - most patients need a maintenance IPL session every 6 to 12 months.
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Skin type suitability
Some IPL platforms are less safe on very dark skin. Modern devices with radiofrequency options cover more skin types.
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Prescription drop side effects
Cyclosporine and lifitegrast can sting for a few weeks before benefit is felt. This usually settles.
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Cost is ongoing
Dry eye is a chronic condition - programme cost includes maintenance, not a one-off cure.
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Red flags
Severe pain, sudden vision drop, red eye with discharge - call the clinic or A&E the same day.
Reading your procedure note
Your dry eye programme in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever consultant does the procedure, the note you receive keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Clinical language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the note before your review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Diagnosis and pattern
The primary diagnosis (evaporative, aqueous-deficient, mixed) and any specific features (rosacea, Sjögren, demodex).
- 02 Technique
Treatments used
IPL parameters, LipiFlow settings, drops prescribed and any adjunct treatments (punctal plugs, scleral lenses).
- 03 Findings
Imaging and tear film
Meibomian gland scores, tear film osmolarity, MMP-9 and Schirmer values.
- 04 Impression
Ongoing self-care and review
Read this first: the daily routine, the review schedule and what to escalate.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Some UK insurers cover consultant assessments and prescription drops for dry eye where a clinical need is documented. IPL and LipiFlow are almost always self-pay. We check your policy before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about dry eye clinic (ipl / lipiflow).
Quick answers on IPL, LipiFlow, pain, cost, insurance and how long the effect lasts.
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What is IPL for dry eye?
Intense pulsed light - brief flashes of light applied to the skin around the eye. It reduces inflammation, closes abnormal blood vessels around the lids and warms the meibomian glands. Typically four sessions three weeks apart, then maintenance every 6 to 12 months.
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What is LipiFlow?
A device that gently warms and massages each eyelid for 12 minutes to unblock the meibomian oil glands. Painless, outpatient, effect over the following weeks.
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Are IPL and LipiFlow painful?
IPL feels like a warm flick against the skin - most patients find it comfortable. LipiFlow feels like a warm massage. Neither procedure is painful and both are done without anaesthetic.
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How much does a private dry eye programme cost?
Full programmes range from about £250 for a targeted plan up to £1,500 for a full IPL, LipiFlow and prescription-drop programme. Individual IPL sessions are £400 to £900 and LipiFlow is £150 to £400.
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Is dry eye treatment covered by insurance?
Some UK insurers cover consultant assessments and prescription drops for dry eye where a clinical need is documented. IPL and LipiFlow are almost always self-pay. We check your policy before booking.
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How long does IPL for dry eye last?
Most patients notice improvement after two of four initial sessions, with the full effect at six months. Maintenance sessions every 6 to 12 months are typical - dry eye is a chronic condition.
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In practice, in the UK
Where a private dry eye programme sits in the UK pathway
Persistent burning, gritty, blurry or watering eyes that drops alone have not settled - a private programme means proper imaging and a consultant-led treatment plan.
A private dry eye programme means the named consultant owns the plan, imaging is done in-house, and treatment mixes IPL, LipiFlow and prescription drops in the order that suits you.
Everything runs to CQC, GMC and Royal College standards; the choice is about consultant fit and whether the programme genuinely targets your pattern of dry eye.