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
Gemma Garvey
Very professional and efficient service given. Thoroughly clean in all rooms, especially surgery room, very helpful and friendly staff.
Sheila Concarr
I was really nervous having my treatment done, but was more worried about how sore my eyes would be in the days afterwards. But the treatment itself was very quick and apart from being slightly dry i felt absolutely fine afterwards. It has been about 10 days now and I can see everything, it’s amazing no more glasses or contacts. I would recommend this treatment to anyone and I am very glad I got it done at Advance VisionCare as they were very friendly and professional, special thanks to Pawel for his help before and during treatment.
DAVID CRONSHAW
The service provided right from the start was excellent. The team are highly professional and courteous. I had lenses implanted – and I am very pleased with the results – it is quite amazing. The Actual operation itself is very straight forward and for me, the impact was immediate. Advance Visioncare are very professional and easy to deal with. You as a patient – and your eyes come first. I have no hesitation in recommending them. DAVID CRONSHAW
ALVARO ZARZUELO
I had my surgery last March/09 with Advance Visioncare and I want to thank and recommend this exceptional clinic for the professionalism they have shown and the care towards patients. I did a very through research over the internet and phone before deciding where to have my surgery. Advance Visioncare conditions were unbeatable, prices are not low but more than reasonable, the staff is outstanding, the care and attention is extremely high, any questions or requirements are promptly answered. Advance Visioncare has provided me with all support before, during and after the procedure. During my first assessment Dr. Pillai was very honest letting me know I was not a good candidate for the Laser Surgery due to thin cornea and shown me all the options available for my condition. I knew about ICL (Implantable Contact Lens) and the success of the procedure and Advance Visioncare provided me with loads of documentation related to ICL. The surgery was painless and in the clinic the treatment was excellent. Nurses were very caring, pleasant and always making sure you are being comfortable and relaxed. After the treatment Advance Visioncare provided me with all necessary medicines eye drops and information to follow a quick, easy after surgery recovery. The results of the operation are noticeable right after the surgery and so the satisfaction and excitement. The recovery is quick and this does not impede you to follow a normal life, some minor restrictions are necessary like not doing contact or extreme sports and trying not to get your eyes wet for a week. I spent more than 10 years wearing glasses and another 15 wearing contact lenses, such a relief of getting rid of all . I wish I had it done this many years ago. There is no excuse for anyone to do it now, affordable, secure and if one follows Advance Visioncare instructions all is good, at least if was for me. Alvaro Zarzuelo
Amanda Wade
I found the whole experience very professional, the staff very helpful in particular the male nurse who briefed me just before the treatment put me totally at ease.
Mrs J M Oliver
The service, treatment and communication provided by Mr Pillai and his staff was excellent, and considerate and professional in all respects the prospects of eye surgery is frightening and the staff did everything possible to put me at ease, carefully answering my questions and preparing me psychologically and mentally for my multi focal lenses implants. Needless to say I am highly delighted with the results.
Donna Neil
Everyone worked as a team, they were all professional, friendly and reassuring it gave me a lot of confidence I felt I was in the best place possible and in the most capable hands, which is important when it comes to your eyes. I would and intend to recommend this clinic to all my friends who wear glasses. The procedure was painless and I had no discomfort during or after. Words cannot describe how happy I am not having to wear glasses or lens.
DIANA BATEMAN
My right eye was +11.25 and the left eye +10.25 with reading of +2.25. The treatment has been a life changing for me. Having worn high prescription glasses all my life. Even being limited to style of frames due to thick, heavy lenses. It is a miracle, being born again with eyesight that I never dreamed that I would have. It is for me like seeing for the first time. The clarity and definition of image is fantastic. I cannot thank the Advance VisionCare team enough. Every member of the team is truly a credit to Mr Pillai.
RITA ABBIE
I researched this procedure on the internet very thoroughly as I was extremely nervous. Once I decided this was for me –everything went ahead so smoothly. All staff at Advance VisionCare and at Colindale was so professional and considerate. Thanks to Advance VisionCare I now have perfect sigh both for distance and for reading. Never before in my life have I had such vision, and I have nothing but respect and gratitude for all the staff.
Sarah Mulligan
Was very impressed how calm i was made to feel on the day of the treatment. Everything was well explained. Was reassured by the phone call later in the day after treatment. Everyone made me feel I was important – not just another case.
