Before your appointment
For an NHS appointment you will usually have been referred by your GP or optometrist; for a private appointment you can often book directly. It helps to bring a list of your current medicines, any blood-thinning tablets in particular, and the details of relevant medical conditions. If your concern is about appearance or a change over time, old photographs of yourself can be genuinely useful in showing how things have altered.
It is also worth jotting down what bothers you most and what you are hoping for, because a clear sense of your goals helps the consultation focus on what matters to you.
The consultation itself
The appointment begins with a conversation about your symptoms and history: what you have noticed, how long it has been going on, and how it affects you. I will then examine the eyelids and the eye, often checking your vision and how the lids move, and taking measurements of the lid height and position, which are recorded in millimetres because small differences matter. Clinical photographs are usually taken; they are a standard part of assessing eyelid problems and planning any treatment.
Where the question is whether heavy skin or a drooping lid is affecting your vision, a visual field test may be arranged, as this is the objective evidence used to decide whether surgery would be considered functional rather than cosmetic.
Discussing your options
Once the assessment is complete, we discuss what is going on in plain terms and what can be done about it. For many eyelid problems there is more than one option, and part of the consultation is weighing them honestly, including the choice between leaving something alone, a non-surgical approach, and surgery. If an operation is appropriate, this is when the likely benefit, the recovery, and the genuine risks are explained, and whether it would be funded or carried out privately. You can read more about that distinction on the cosmetic or funded page.
What happens next
You should leave the appointment understanding what your problem is, what your options are, and what the next step would be, whether that is a treatment, being placed on a waiting list for surgery, a further test, or simply reassurance that nothing needs doing. For private care you will also be clear on the costs involved before committing to anything. There is rarely any pressure to decide on the day, and for surgery it is normal and sensible to go away and think it over.
If you would like to discuss an eyelid concern in person, you can find details of my private clinic in the North East through the clinic link below.
Considering an eyelid or oculoplastic consultation in the North East?
Visit my private clinic →Common questions
Do I need a referral to be seen?
For NHS care you would usually be referred by your GP or optometrist. For private care you can often arrange an appointment directly without a referral, though bringing any relevant letters or test results is helpful.
Will my eyes be examined?
Yes. A full eyelid assessment includes examining the lids and the eye, checking your vision and lid movement, and measuring the lid position. It is thorough but comfortable.
Are photographs taken?
Usually, yes. Clinical photographs are a normal part of assessing and planning eyelid treatment, and they help track any change over time. They are handled as part of your confidential medical record.
Will I get a decision on the day?
You will normally leave understanding your diagnosis, your options, and the next step. For surgery there is rarely pressure to decide immediately; it is normal to take time to consider it, and a further test such as a visual field is sometimes needed first.
What does a private eyelid consultation cost?
Fees vary by clinic and what is involved, so it is best to check the current cost with the clinic when you book. You should always be clear on any costs before agreeing to treatment.
This page is for general educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. If you are concerned about your eyes or eyelids, please seek assessment from a qualified specialist. Last reviewed May 2026 by Chris Matthews, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Oculoplastic Surgeon.
