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
Susan Goss
I was put at ease from the first moment. It was good to meet Mr Pillai at the consultation and to see where the surgery would take place. Very impressive in all aspects; before, during and after. I have already recommended them to friends and relatives.
MRS PAULA HOLGATE
I was made to feel so welcome and important by each and every member of staff involved in my ''NEW EYES'' surgery before and after-care. I cannot stress enough how wonderful everyone, looked after me at the clinic and surgery, especially with such a delicate, life-changing procedure. Thank you very much. I wish you all so much happiness for the brilliance you give to other people's lives. You are all so god-given gifted. Again thank you. I am so happy, thanks to you all. God bless you all.
MRS DIANA SMITH
Everyone was extremely helpful before, during and after treatment. It’s brilliant not having to wear glasses or contact lenses everyday.
Pippa Murphy
I had been thinking about having my eyes laser-treated for several years but had been too scared to do it. Advance VisionCare was recommended to me through a fellow tennis player and within 24 hours I had booked the Initial Consultation. On the day of the treatment I was extremely nervous but everybody was very kind and helped me relax. Although the process is not enjoyable, it does not hurt and every step is explained so you know what to expect. I am very pleased I have had it done.
Yulia Silina
I wanted to be able to see without glasses for many years and not be dependent on contacts and eye drops. But I was scared. As it turned out, all Lasik was, was looking at blurry fairy lights for 52 seconds and the job was done. No pain, no mistakes, no worries whatsoever. Everyone was so calm and confident. My only regret is that I hadn’t made my decision earlier. I can see better than most people I know now and it feels good.
Tim Gray
I found the whole experience very good, having researched the options available and having seen 2 other clinics, it was Mr Pillai reputation that was the deciding factor. He’s got a very a authoritative and reassuring manner and is obviously at the top of his field in laser eye surgery. I, along with countless other, have I’m sure considered the laser eye surgery however I have always been sceptical about it as I have a friend who is an optician and has made me aware that these types of procedures don’t always work out as hoped. I found the whole experience very comfortable, the staff was very knowledgeable, the initial eye test consultation was thorough and I was happy there was a fee involved. This gave the impression that it was not a ‘get rich quick scheme’, whereby they just load it into your overall treatment charge. Regarding the actual procedure, I was pleasantly surprised at how painless it all was. I genuinely think going to the dentist is more uncomfortable. I was given a ‘magic valium tablet’ and my wife accompanied me to the treatment room. The whole procedure probably took about 30 minutes in total and apart from a little discomfort when the eye clamps were put on, it’s nothing really. Being talked through every stage by Mr Pillai helped a lot too. Obviously as a result of the procedure that you go for I have to admit for me it has been far better than anticipated. Wearing glasses full time had started to become a bit of a burden in my life. I was at a computer all day and it had just stretched for just computer work, to all day usage. The deciding factor for me was when my glasses became the first thing I put on in the morning and the last thing I took off at night. I’ve been for 2 eye tests, up to now and have been amazed by the results. I don’t even have to wear glasses during the day although this may change as I get older. I can only speak from personal experience, but for me it has genuinely been life changing. I still at times push the glasses up the bridge of my nose and overall it’s just made my life a lot easier. If you’re considering having it done, I don’t think you will find better than Mr Pillai. Tim Gray
Peter Bridge
Like most people I talk to I was concerned at the thought of having my eyes operated on. However I needn’t have worried – the reassurance by Advance Visioncare people all the way thought the process and the expertise of the surgeon made it a happy experience. I have already lowered my golf handicap by a couple of strokes after two weeks. The freedom of not having to wear glasses is amazing! Thanks to you all.
Adrian Witter
Firstly it must be said that there is no better laser clinic. The level of service is unrivalled and is backed up by the highest levels of professionalism. From my first consultation and meeting the staff, the experience was nothing but pleasurable. Staff understand the major decision you are making and are very open and approachable, constantly looking out for your own specific needs. They even managed to calm my extremely frantic mother, which in itself is a MASSIVE achievement. I received the latest technology in my surgery and the results are amazing. Having worn glasses/lenses for over half my young life (22) I was used to and fed up of life behind a lense. Now I’m FREE! Going away on holiday where ill actually be able to go to the beach, scuba dive etc. Without being restricted. Mr Pillai and his team have given me a new life. So to sum it up -Unrivalled service which sets AVC apart -Latest Technology has given me optimum results (from L/R -3.75/-4.25 to 20/20... and getting better!) -Great people in the team, all the way through You’ll never make a better decision.
MRS SUSAN BYSZEWSKI
The equipment used to measure my eyes was state of the art so gave one confidence, especially taking multiple readings. All the staff were very friendly and ind. During and after surgery I had excellent care and I felt like I had the VIP treatment. I was never in any pain and enjoyed being able to see from the moment I came out of the operating room. It felt quite miraculous being able to see without glasses or contact lenses, having been very short sighted. I never wanted to wear reading glasses, and now I know I will never need them with my multifocal IOL’s. The surgeon was wonderful throughout too, I enjoyed talking to him.
Caroline Hobson
All the staff were extremely friendly and made you feel av ease. I would and have recommended Advance VisionCare to friends and colleagues.
