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
Ibrahim Khan
I DECIDED TO GO FOR TREATMENT AS I HAD BEEN WEARING GLASSESS SINCE CHILDHOOD. I HAD BEEN THINKING OF HAVING TREATMENT FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS. I KNEW I WAS NOT SUITABLE FOR LASER SO WAS JUST WAITING UNTIL THE RIGHT PROCEDURE CAME ALONG. MY EXPERIENCE WITH ADVANCED VISION CARE WAS EXCELLENT. THE CARE PROVIDED WAS VERY GOOD FROM THE VERY START. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE THOROUGH CONSULTATION AND THE TREATMENT ITSLEF WAS PAINLESS AND VERY QUICK. HAVING THE TREATMENT HAS CHANGED EVERYTHING. I CAN NOW DO A LOT MORE SPORTS. I CAN ENJOY MY LIFE A LOT BETTER I AM VERY HAPPY. FOR PEOPLE WITH HIGH REFRACTIVE ERRORS AND ASTIGMATISUM PLUS AMBLYOPIA THERE IS A HOPE NOW. IMPLANTABLE CONTACT LENSES ARE AN OPTION WHICH IS SAFER AND REVERSIBLE. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO EVERYONE WITH THIS PROBLEM IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
David Turnbull
I HAD A LOT OF DIFFICULTY READING, DRIVING AND THE INCONVENENCE OF GLASSES. THE EXPERIENCE I HAD WITH AVC WAS PERFECT; THE STAFF ARE FRIENDLY AND PROFRESSIONAL. THE TREATMENT WAS VERY QUICK AND PAINLESS. MY LIFE HAS CHANGED AS I CAN NOW READ AND DRIVE WITHOUT GLASSES. ALSO I HAVE NO PROBLEMS NOW WITH MOTORCYCLING. I HAVE RECCOMMENDED AVC TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES.
Constance Black
I wished to be able to read without reading glasses. As Mr Pillai treated me 6 years ago for Laser treatment for distance I knew how pleased I would be with this further treatment. Having this treatment has achieved what I hoped for; I no longer have to carry glasses to read ~ Surgery was to one (left) eye only I would like to thank all the staff I have seen on my visits to Harley Street and also the great eye surgeons. I would also like to thank Mr Timpson at Centre Vision in Northampton for his care.
Nikki Cockerill
After wearing glasses for 20 years, the time had come to get rid of them!Absolutely first rate! No matter how many questions I asked or the number of times I called, nothing was too much trouble. I can’t fault AVC on anything at all! In short, I can’t believe I didn’t do this sooner. My life has been utterly transformed and it’s only been a month! Everyone was helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. I have loved every second of my time with AVc. The only suggestion I have is swapping the Snow-Tears with preservative free ones- especially for those of us who fly frequently.
Elodie Plasse
I should have done it 10 years ago! The service was excellent. (Still brilliant!) The people are friendly, honest and I trusted everyone within each step; before, during and after the treatment. It was an amazing experience. You do not need to worry. You can ask as many questions as you want and you are able to call whenever. People are here for you! I’m French and I’m really happy I’ve done it in the UK. Just do it!! Your life will be so different!
Paul Brumpton
IT WAS SOMETHING I HAD BEEN THINKING ABOUT FOR A WHILE AND I DECIDED TO COME TO AVC FOR A CONSULTATION TO SEE IF I WAS SUITABLE. GENERALLY IT WAS A VERY GOOD EXPERIENCE. I WAS QUITE NERVIOUS ABOUT POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS BUT MY QUERIES WERE DEALT WITH IN A VERY PROFFESIONAL WAY. THE LEVEL OD SERVICE WAS EXEMPLORY. THE AFTERCARE IS ALSO VERY GOOD. THIS REALLY IS A REMARKABLE AND “LIFE CHANGING” EXPERIENCE TO BE FREED FROM GLASSES AND CONTACT LENSES
George Budden
I WAS VERY PLEASED AT THE PERSONAL SERVICE I RECEIVED AS AN INDAVIDUAL – NOT A NUMBER ON A PRODUCTION LINE. MR PILLAI WAS ALSO VERY CLEAR AS TO THE RELATIVE RISKS AND HOW THEY WOULD BE MANAGED – WHICH GAVE ME HUGE CONFIDENCE. LASTLY THE DETAILED EXPLANATION OF HOPW THE OPERATION IS CARRIED OUT ENABLED ME TO BE MORE RELAXED AND COMPOSED TGROUGHOUT THE PROCEEDURE - -WHICH OTHERWISE WOULD GHAVE BEEN QUITE WORRYING. I AM DELIGHTED WITH THE RESULT, EVEN AFTER JUST 3 WEEKS AND WOULD NOT HESITATE TO RECOMMEND MR PILLAI.
Beverley Ann Pennekett
I WAS VERY HAPPY WITH THE WHOLE PROCESS; FROM MY GENERAL ENQUIRY TO NEW VISION WAS ABOUT 6 WEEKS. FAR FASTER THAN I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED. ALSO MY INISIAL EXPECTATION WAS THAT I WOULD HAVE LASER SURGERY AND THEREFORE WOULD NEED TO WEAR SPECTACELS FOR CLOSE WORK. THE CLE HAVE GIVEN ME BOTH NEAR AND DISTANCE VISION, BOTH OF WHICH ARE EXALENT AND HAS FAR EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS.
Pauline Senior
OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS I HAVE SPOKEN TO VARIOUS COMPANIES WITH A VIEW TO HAVING EYE TREATMENT WHICH WOULD ALLOW ME TO BE FREE OF HAVING TO WEAR SPECTECLES. IN MY OPINION, THERE WAS NOT ONE COMPANY THAT COULD OFFER ME WHAT I WANTED; INSTEAD THEY WERE MORE INTERESTED IN MY CREDIT CARD RATHER THAN DISCUSSING MY TREATMENT THAT I WAS ENQUIRING ABOUT. HOWEVER WHEN I CONTACTED ADVANCE VISIONCARE THEY OPENED UP A WHOLE NEW WORLD, FOR I WAS THEIR PRIORITY AND I WAS PUT AT EASE IMMEDIATLEY. THEY WANTED TO KNOW WHAT THEY COULD DO FOR ME AND HOW COULD THEY FULFILL MY DREAMS BY NOT HAVING TO WEAR SPECS. DURING MY 3 HOUR ASSESSMENT, THE VARIOUS OPTIONS WERE DISCUSSED TO SUIT MY REQUIRMENTS. I DECIDED TO HAVE THE CLE PROCEDURE AND LIKE MAGIC I CAN SEE!!! WONDERFUL WHAT MORE CAN I SAY, EXCEPT WITHOUT THE CARE AND ATTENTION OF ALL OF THE STAFF AT ADVANCE VISIONCARE AND THE EXPERTISE OF MY SURGEON, MR HELGASON I WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN CONVINCED TO HAVE THE TREATMENT. I THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH.
Lawrence Wilson
Before Having the treatment I wore glasses. I decided to have Clear Lens Exchange and it is the best thing I have ever done. There was no pain what so ever. The Advance VisionCare team were very professional and made you feel at ease. I was used to wear varifocal glasses which I hated. Now I can read newspapers small print etc I wish I had the Clear lens exchange done years ago. I can highly recommend this simple procedure to anyone.
