1. Review of Advanced Vision Care
Advanced Vision Care (AVC) is an independent surgeon-led clinic founded in 2003 by Mr Pillai on Harley Street, London. With no affiliation with any manufacturers, you should be able to count on treatment that’s best suited to your needs.
AVC’s Medical Director and lead surgeon, Mr Pillai, has nearly three decades of ophthalmic experience and is one of the few surgeons to have fellowships for both refractive laser surgery and cornea treatment. Patients even enjoy the benefit of speaking to Mr Pillai during the initial consultation, and can look forward to a stress-free aftercare plan, including any retreatment if necessary.
What makes AVC different? This clinic prides itself on being able to treat any eye prescription using a wide mix of treatments, meaning it may just be able to help you, even if other clinics have turned your down. Its patients also give this clinic the thumbs up, leaving hundreds of positive reviews on our site over the years.
- AVC tailors treatments to its customers’ specific visual needs.
- You can receive eye care from a small team of eye experts, each with 25 years of experience.
- Laser and non-laser treatments sit under one roof, for customer convenience.
Is there anything else I should know? As you’d expect, cutting-edge eye surgery on Harley Street comes at a price, and this time it’s higher on average than you’ll find at some of the other top-rated eye clinics dotted around the UK. And unless you happen to live in central London, there may not be a clinic near you.
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2. Treatments
Advanced Vision Care specialises in laser as well as non-laser vision correction treatments, including all the usual suspects: LASIK, LASEK, implantable contact lenses (ICL surgery), lens replacement surgery, cataract surgery and keratoconus treatment.
- Advanced Wavefront LASIK / LASEK – Highly accurate laser surgery for those with thin eye surfaces or active lifestyles.
- Phototherapeutic Keratectomy (PTK) – Therapy for treating long-term eye conditions.
- Implantable Contact Lens (EVO Visian ICL) – Suitable for patients with complex eye prescriptions, thin corneas or dry eyes.
- Lens Replacement (Refractive Lens Exchange) – Eye surgery for those over 40 with a reading prescription.
- Cataract Surgery – Removes cloudy lenses, and replaces them with artificial clear ones.
- Corneal Implants – Reshape irregular eye shapes to make contact lenses more comfortable.
As is standard with eye surgery clinics, all AVC treatments come with a 12 month aftercare package, which includes: regular check-ups, 24-hour eye expert support line, and post-op medication for the first month.
In the unlikely event that you require eye surgery enhancement, any laser fine tuning or YAG laser capsule thickening removal (following cataract treatment) is available at no extra cost.
3. Technology
Advanced Vision Care was the first clinic in the UK to house the complete Alcon Refractive Suite, which it claims is the safest non-laser technology in the country. It creates a personalised treatment plan that starts with a Verion Image Guided system in your first consultation, and continues throughout the surgery with devices that ensure superior visualisation.
The laser eye surgery treatment is also advanced. The femtosecond Intralase 5F Laser works blade-free by using pulses of harmless light to create a corneal flap, and the Bausch Teneo 317 Excimer Laser takes just 3 to 5 seconds to correct your vision.
What’s more, the highly accurate Advanced Wavefront technology is included in all laser treatments as standard, and an Eye Tracking System tracks eye movements, so you don’t need to worry about blinking during the procedure.
4. Advanced Vision Care Prices
AVC has some of the most reasonable payment options out there. It’s not the cheapest – high street clinics such as Optical Express and Ultralase take the crown for cost – but the free consultation, fixed prices, and flexible interest free finances all help their treatments work around you.
Is it worth paying more? Of course, that’s for you to decide. But to give you an idea of the prices, laser eye surgery at AVC costs £2,100 (per eye), compared to well-reviewed alternatives such as Optical Express and AccuVision which come in at around half that on average.
| Eye Surgery Procedure | Price (per eye) | Finance Options (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Wavefront LASIK | £2,100 | £66.67 (24 months, 0% APR) |
| Phototherapeutic Keratectomy (PTK) | £2,100 | £66.67 (24 months, 0% APR) |
| ICL Surgery (Simple Lens) | £3,450 – £3,750 | £122.22 – £138.89 (18 months, 0% APR) |
| ICL Surgery (Specialist Lens) | £4,150 | £161.11 (18 months, 0% APR) |
| Monofocal lens surgery | £3,150 – £3,450 | £105.56 – 122.22 (18 months, 0% APR) |
| Multifocal lens surgery | £3,750 – £4,050 | £138.89 – £155.56 (18 months, 0% APR) |
| Keratoconus Treatment | £2,150 – £2,450 | £91.67 – £108.33 (18 months, 0% APR) |
Are there finance options?
Yes, AVC has partnered with Hitachi Finance to offer flexible payment plans, meaning you can pay the full cost of eye surgery in bite-size monthly installments.
For example, you could pay for laser eye surgery in chunks of £66.67 a month for two years interest free, or £33.59 for 60 months at 9.9% APR. That’s generous – most clinics require 11% APR, and only the first year at 0% interest.
Does medical insurance cover the surgery costs at AVC?
Yes, AVC is an accredited provider of ophthalmic surgery for many of the UK’s leading insurance companies, including:
- Allianz
- AVIVA
- AXA PPP
- BUPA and BUPA International
- Cigna
- Simply Health
As always, you’ll need to confirm how you would like to pay before booking your surgery, both with your chosen clinic and your medical insurer.
Read more: Laser eye surgery costs explained
5. AVC Review: The Verdict
Advanced Vision Care consistently receives a five-star rating from hundreds of patients, which is why this clinic makes it to our list of the best laser eye surgery clinics in the UK.
With in-depth consultations providing an honest assessment of whether eye surgery is right for you, Advanced Vision Care also takes the prize for being one of the top places for laser eye surgery in London.
☝ Is Advanced Vision Care for you? To see if there is a better reviewed laser eye surgery clinic near you, just hit here to use our simple quote tool, and get a tailored quote from a clinic you can trust.
Surgeons
Advanced Vision Care Reviews
al kirk
great clinic
Lucy Macdiarmid
I decided to have the treatment because I had such bad vision (left -10 and right -9). I hated having to rely on glasses/contact lenses to get by. My whole experience with AVC was excellent! From making the first appointment, I was kept informed every step of the way. I cannot believe what a change it has made, as I said, my eyes were so bad before and now I can see without glasses or contact lenses – IT’S AMAZING! I have NO regrets and although I was very nervous, I was made to feel at ease throughout! Everyone was understanding. I can now see from the minute I open my eyes in the morning – THANK YOU!
Deborah Handford
I decided to have the treatment as my lifestyle is quite active, and I was back in the UK. My experience with Advanced Vision Care was fantastic. I never felt like it was just a ‘sale’. I was very informed all through the process from booking my appointment, through my treatment and at subsequent visits. My life has changed after treatment and my peripheral vision 24/7 is still amazing me! What can I say; so many people take this standard of vision for granted. I just say thank you!
Elliott Smith
I decided to have the treatment as my glasses always seemed to get in the way and putting in and taking out contacts got tiresome. The experience with Advanced Vision Care was amazing! Every member of staff was very friendly and welcoming. My life has changed after the treatment as I am now able to wake up and do whatever I need to do without finding my glasses first. I am so happy with the results and will send anyone I know here!
Edward Jackson
I was very pleased that all the risks were clearly explained to me. This made me feel more reassured that I had come to the right place. All levels of care and service were superb, thank you. My only regret is that I didn’t do this years ago!
Margaret Scot
I found the whole experience very re-assuring and good. I contacted the clinic following an article in the Daily Mail about ‘Clear Lens Implants’ and was very surprised at my consultation to be told I was suitable for laser. Although this gave me the option to get the treatment nearer home I already had confidence in Mr Pillai and his team and wanted to have the procedure in London.
Elizabeth Coleby
Having worn contact lenses for over 25 years my eyes suddenly became intolerant to gas permeable lenses. My optician suggested I change to soft lenses, whilst these were more comfortable my vision was not good enough and I still had problems with them. My sister in law had her laser eye treatment at Advanced Vision Care and suggested I went to see them for a consultation. Laser eye treatment was not an option for me as my prescription was -11; it was recommended that I have the clear lens exchange operation. I was apprehensive to go through 2 operations, but they have been life changing. Advanced Vision Care were fantastic right the way through. Everything is explained so you know exactly what to expect. It is wonderful to never have to wear contact lenses again. My distance vision is better than it has ever been. I have now done much more swimming than I have ever done as I can see in the water. I do have to wear reading glasses but this is a small price to pay as I now have much better vision than I have ever had.
Mr Frederick Mottram
My prescription was +8.00 with -7.00 astigmatism in Left eye and +4.00 with -1.00 astigmatism in RIght eye.
I can drive and see a distance without glasses.
I certainly wouldn’t hesitate in recommendation AVC fantastic team.
Aaron Mason
I decided to have treatment as an investment to myself and to also remove the tiresome contact lenses/ opticians appointments. My experience with Advanced Vision first class was very quiet and calm with a very professional atmosphere, I found the staff super friendly staff everything explained and numerous opportunities to ask questions if any doubt was present. The treatment has changed my life in just one week I have vision better than 20:20 and I couldn’t have asked for more. I would definitely need more referral vouchers as I would like to advise my family and friends.
Karim Matloub
To say the least you could say my eyesight was dire with a prescription of -18 in my right eye and -12.75 in my left. I never thought surgery would be available for someone of my prescription and had long accepted a lifetime of glasses, contact lenses and contact lens solution. This was until I met a former patient by chance who told me of AVC and the service they could provide. I have to when first hearing of such a treatment I was a bit sceptical the phrase “to good to be true” came to mind. However I decided to take a chance and exchange details with this former AVC patient. I phoned the AVC clinic and booked a “FREE” consultation trying my best not to build my hopes up. When I first visited AVC I was firstly struck by the level of hospitality I received being nothing short of first class. I wasn’t just treated like a mere patient/customer; I was treated like a human being. Both eyes were checked thoroughly before and treatment was recommended and it was clear that each member of staff knew what they were doing. In the end it was deemed possible for me to receive ICL surgery. The surgery itself was top class with the procedure being surprisingly quick. All throughout the surgery I was welcomed to a warm and caring atmosphere and I was left feeling utterly spoilt and satisfied with the service. Finally I can say that I no longer have to depend on glasses or contact lenses with me currently having no prescription in my left eye and my right being significantly improved. The service AVC has provided me has been nothing short of a miracle and I will be forever thankful for what they given me. I recommend that anyone not sure on whether to go through with eye surgery with AVC to do it, you wont regret it.
SUE BENNETT
I have been wearing glasses for 20 years and soft contact lenses. Over the past few years I have suffered eye problems due to prolonged use of contact lenses and dry eyes. This has been a pain as I do a lot of active sports which are difficult to do wearing glasses. I first thought about laser surgery 5 years ago and visited a few clinics for advise. I felt like a number and asked to meet the surgeons but this wasn't possible. After getting an ulcer in my eye I then visited my local consultant ophthalmic surgeon who recommended me to Mr Pilla and his team. The service was excellent and I felt at ease and trusted them. I was very nervous on the day of the surgery but I can honestly say that I felt no pain or discomfort and in less than 24hours I had 20/20 vision. My confidence has increased and I feel like a new person! Thank you so much and I just wish I had come to AVC years ago! Best wishes Sue
