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.
☝ Compare clinics: See if there are any other top-rated clinics near you, and use our simple tool to receive a personalised quote.
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
Carrie Cromwell
I was extremly nervouse about getting the surgery & Dr Pillai amde me feel at ease. I could not have dreamed of a better Dr to have performed the surgery! The staff was amazing as well ! The fact that Dr Pillai performed the eye surgery on his own daughter says it all ! He is confirdent and deservingly so ! Thank You
Paul Willmott
I have already written a testimonial about this clinic, but now its gotton better. In short I had Lasik 2.5 years ago; one eye came out good the other bad. A flap lift and enhancement still did not help too much. The clinic was taken over by the eye clinic, who did not seem to bothered about my complaint and declared my eye good. Optimax put the phone down on me, and Intralase did all the tests and told me to go away. I was unable to wear contacts and went back to glasses. Mr Pillai was the only Dr with the knowledge and expertise to take me on. Not only should you try to get the best surgeon and support team, but you also need the best equipment, and the Technolas 217 Bausch & Lomb is the best equipment. From experience Mr Pillai and his team are the best eye surgeons together in my opinion this is the best clinic in the country for LASIK. If you know me I do not hand out praise lightly. Another treatment helped me see nearly six lines better in the right eye. However I was still 0.5 dioptre short of a full picnic so last week we had the 4th op and the 6th flap. Yes four Zaps & Six flaps lifts. Show me another clinic in the country that would take that lot on. My bad eye is now better than my good eye; I could read better than 20/20 the day after. It has improved since then. I am not so tired and the trunks under my eyes have shrunk back to normal bags. Only trouble is, now I can see the dodgy picture on the rubbish old 32 inch Sony tele I bought two years ago, so it looks like a new 42 inch plasma jobby's on the cards. The car covered in tiny scratches, the guttering needs doing. This is going to cost me a fortune. If my eyes get any better I’m going to ask for my money back !!!!
Anil Keswani
Without the vital advise offered to me by Mr Pillai in my consultation eith him, I would not have undergone corrective eye surgery. He was honest enough to acknowledge that the laser procedures he performs might not offer the best result & that instead, having lens implants would be the best solutionfor myself. He was very kinf and decent enough to recommend an expert ICL practitioner, i without which i was not known how to proceed. I can not offer enough thanks to Mr Pillai and his team at Harley Street in helping me solve my eye problems. Really great !!!!
Janet Purse
I particulary enjoyed the one to one service received and also the aftercare that is offered to you. Everybody is good at putting you at ease due to the fact of the importance of the decision you have made or about to make. I wouldn't hesitate in making recommendations.
Susannah
I had Wavefront Lasek at AVC nearly 2 weeks ago. This was recommended due to my thin corneas and large pupils. Even with these complications (I was turned down by Boots in the past) Mr Pillai operated and after an initial few days of blurriness in both eyes the vision is now amazing. Having worn glasses from the age of 7 and finding contact lenses dried my eyes I am so pleased I have had it done. The whole team were wonderful and Mr Pillai very reassuring pre and post op. Thank you!
Matthew Waghorn
Very satisfied, A good all around professional & friendly service. Thank You.
Anna bangs
I looked at having laser treatment three years ago, but it was decided that, at the age of 20, i was still a bit too young and my eyes would probably still change. One of my friends had his eyes lasered 2 months ago with Advanced Vision Care, he was extatic about it. So, i decided to look into it too, as im off in 3 weeks to New Zealand i didnt know if it was possible in that time, but it was discussed and i was able to have the treatment. So, 2 weeks ago i toddled down to Harley Street to meet the team and had both my eyes lasered. Everyone was lovely and had loads of info for me about N.Z. They really made me fell completely at ease. Also my dad watched the who procedure on screen and was facinated. After one week my left eye was down to 0, no prescription, my right eye s still settling. Thanks to all at Advance Vision Care and Davis Opticians, youre stars!!
Bhaven Ondhia
I found the whole experience comforting, at no point was I nervous of my decision. Each & every member of staff put me at ease, giving clear explanations to all my Q'S. Mr Pillai & Cassie were expecially professional during all my consultation visits both pre & post op. I would recommend the clinic to evereyone & have done so already.
James Powell
After weeks of internet research I was most impressed with the feedback & reviews left by customers of Advance VisionCare. During my initial consultation it was the friendliness & professionalism of the staff made up my mind that I could trust AVC with my sight. Mr Pillai's honesty in telling me that the more expensive "Wavefront" technology would not be of any real benefit me was also greatly appreciated. At the end of my consultation I booked my surgery for the first available appointment, being a week later to the day. The surgery itself really was painless; the anasthetic drops applied to the eyes meant there was no feeling at all in the eye itself. The only slight discomfort was the pressure of the vacuum - I had read about it in numerous other reviews, but in reality it wasn't anywhere near as bad as I had been expecting - certainly not painful, just slightly uncomfortable. The surgeon and his assistant explained what was going on at every step during the surgery and my girlfriend watched the whole procedure from the adjoining room. At the check-up the following day, though my vision was slightly cloudy, I was reading to 20/20 standard. This cloudiness disappeared within about 2 days as did the slight sensitivity to bright lights. Today is a week later; I've just had my 1 week post-op check-up and have been told I have 20/40 vision! The world is crystal clear and I have never appreciated the scenary everywhere so much!! Thank you to everybody at AVC.
Claire Smith
I suffer from orthostatic tremor and had though this would cause problems because of had movement Mr Pillai overcome this at the time of the surgery and has achevied a very good result which at 6 weeks is still improving. All staff are helpful, kind & reasuring.
