Upper eyelid surgery and eyelid lump removal in Tonbridge
Hooded lids, chalazion, cysts and skin tags treated by Mr Pieter Gouws, consultant ophthalmologist — under local anaesthetic, on Tonbridge High Street. No GP referral needed.
Mr Pieter Gouws
A Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists with a Diploma in Dermatology, Mr Gouws is a consultant eye surgeon who has personally performed over 20,000 eye operations. He trained through fellowships in glaucoma (Toronto) and medical retina (Bristol), was clinical lead for ophthalmology at Conquest Hospital in Hastings, established East Sussex's diabetic eye-screening programme, and has published more than 25 papers in peer-reviewed journals. It's this surgical precision, combined with a dermatology qualification, that he brings to skin and eyelid work at Calm & Gentle Skin — where you're assessed and treated by the same consultant from start to finish. Away from the clinic, he is a founding director of the Andean Medical Mission, a charity restoring sight in remote regions of the Bolivian Amazon.
Eyelids treated by an eye surgeon
Hooded or heavy upper lids
If loose skin on the upper lid makes you look tired, or rests on the lashes, upper-lid blepharoplasty can open the eye. Surgery is under local anaesthetic. The NHS usually funds this only when vision is blocked.
Lumps, cysts and tags on the eyelid
Chalazion, styes, papillomas, xanthelasma and skin tags around the eye are removed by an eye surgeon — not a general aesthetic clinic.
Upper-lid blepharoplasty, step by step
You see the consultant who operates. There is no hand-off from a nurse or aesthetician to a surgeon you have not met.
The operation takes about an hour under local anaesthetic, and you go home the same day. Bruising and swelling usually settle over one to two weeks, and many people return to desk work after five to seven days. You will be given aftercare in writing.
£2,850 is one fee — consultation, surgery, dressings, and reviews at one week and six weeks. There is no separate private-hospital bill.
We do not perform lower-lid blepharoplasty or facelifts here. If that is the better plan for you, we will say so and point you to a plastic-surgery clinic.
Assessment with Mr Gouws
A proper examination and honest advice on whether treatment will help.
Plan and confirmed fee
You know exactly what is involved and what it costs before going ahead.
Surgery under local anaesthetic
Carried out by the same consultant, as a day case on Tonbridge High Street.
Review and aftercare
Written aftercare, with reviews at one week and six weeks.
Clear pricing, agreed beforehand
| Treatment | Fee |
|---|---|
| Consultation | £75, deducted from treatment if you go ahead |
| Upper-lid blepharoplasty | £2,850 all-in |
| Eyelid lump, cyst, chalazion or skin tag | From £150 |
Your exact fee is confirmed before you proceed.
Eyelid & eye-surface conditions
Upper-lid blepharoplasty
Removing hooded or heavy upper lids — functional and cosmetic — for a fresher, more open eye.
Lid lumps & cysts
Chalazion, styes, cysts, papillomas and skin tags on and around the eyelid, removed by an eye surgeon.
Lid corrections
Entropion and ectropion (in-turning and out-turning lids) surgically corrected.
Xanthelasma
Removal of yellow cholesterol deposits around the eyes.
Pterygium
Treatment of sun-related growths on the surface of the eye.
Blepharitis & dry eye
Assessment and treatment of blepharitis and troublesome dry eye.
Eyelid treatments — your questions answered
What eyelid conditions do you treat?
Lumps and cysts on the eyelid (chalazion), styes, papillomas and skin tags, xanthelasma (cholesterol deposits), drooping or turned lids (entropion and ectropion), pterygium on the eye surface, and blepharitis and dry eye. Both functional and cosmetic upper-lid blepharoplasty are offered.
How much does upper-lid blepharoplasty cost?
Upper-lid blepharoplasty is £2,850 all-in — consultation, the operation, dressings and reviews at one week and six weeks, with no separate hospital fee. Smaller eyelid lesions such as cysts, chalazia and skin tags start from £150. The consultation is £75, deducted from your treatment if you go ahead.
How long until I look normal after upper-lid surgery?
Expect bruising and swelling for one to two weeks. Many people feel comfortable at work after five to seven days, with final settling a little longer. Mr Gouws will go through aftercare with you before the procedure.
What does the £2,850 include?
Consultation, the operation under local anaesthetic, dressings, and reviews at one week and six weeks. There is no extra hospital fee.
Do you do lower-lid blepharoplasty?
No. This clinic treats upper lids, eyelid lumps and lid position problems (entropion and ectropion). Lower lids and facelifts are better done in a plastic-surgery setting, and we will say so if that is what you need.
Is my eyelid procedure done by an eye specialist?
Yes. Mr Gouws is a consultant ophthalmologist (FRCOphth) — an eye surgeon — so eyelid and eye-surface work is very much his specialty, unlike a general aesthetic clinic.
Can I use private medical insurance?
Functional work such as entropion, ectropion or a troublesome chalazion is sometimes covered. Cosmetic upper-lid surgery usually is not. Check with your insurer before you book.
What if a lump looks suspicious?
It is assessed properly. Where needed we send tissue for histology. Anything concerning is directed into the appropriate NHS pathway, and your GP receives a letter.
Do I need a GP referral?
No — you can book directly. If your GP has suggested a private option because of NHS waiting times, we're happy to liaise with them.
Which areas do you cover?
Our clinic is on Tonbridge High Street, serving Tonbridge, Hildenborough, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Southborough and the surrounding west Kent villages.
Part of the Calm & Gentle Skin Clinic — see also mole & skin-tag removal and laser skin & thread veins.
Ready to talk about your eyelids?
Book a consultation with Mr Pieter Gouws at Hanover House, 203 High Street, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1BW — a short walk from Tonbridge station.
