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
Janine Owen
This was the most important decision of my life so far and it was something I had considered for years. When I decided that I was going to go for it this years I started asking around and came across someone who had already been with Advance VisionCare. He had nothing but praise and said it was the best decision he had made and everything was excellent... I made the initial call to AVC and within 5-10 minutes it was booked, I mean everything consultation, hotel, surgery and all the after-care I did not have to do anything which was great. The staff were amazing, kept me well informed. The surgery was great “no pain” at all and I could see without my glasses instantly. Definitely the best decision and goal achieved-no glasses and lenses. Thank you.
Julie Calaghan
I had LASIK Wavefront carried out by Mr Pillai 18 months ago. I had my final post of check on Wednesday which I am pleased to say I still have 20/20 vision. It took me four years to pluck up the courage to have treatment and I can now honestly say it was the best thing I have ever done. It completely changed my life, I now have the confidence to play sports with my children without the fear that my glasses could come off or even worse getting them knocked off by my 4 year old (which happened on a number of occasions). Not only that I feel much more confident in myself. I would like to say a big thank you to advance visioncare for the treatment and the aftercare I received.
Tim Burrell
I was quite nervous about laser surgery, but meeting Mr Pillai I was put at ease immediately. I knew and felt that the whole service was going to be excellent. The personal approach of Advance VisionCare is what sold me, particularly the fact that Mr Pillai undertook the initial consultation. Every question after treatment was answered and I felt at all times that all staff were extremely competent and caring.
Vicky Jacobs
Excellent-all options and procedures were explained clearly. Every member of staff dealt with seemed highly competent.
Scott Cottingham
From the first time I spoke to someone at Advance VisionCare I knew I was going to be looked after. In the past I had been to other clinics but never gone ahead. I signed up with Advance VisionCare straight away. The treatment was less scary than I thought and within a few hours I was out with friends for a meal. I was able to drive within 48 hours. And within a week my vision is amazing. And getting better every day. Treated myself to a very expensive pair of sunglasses as well ? as someone who has worn glasses since a child I would say to anyone go for it.
Jessica Grinsted
Overall, excellent service and I am thrilled with the results-being able to wake up and see is a miracle I never thought I’d experience. Although it meant travelling to London from Newcastle, I am confident that after researching other surgeries I made the right choice with Advance VisionCare. Thank you !
PAM HERBERT
My last eye test in January 09 became a turning point. Nothing could be done to make vision in my right eye any better. My respond was, what am I going to do? Fortunately the lady optician at Supersavers in Uckfield knew about this place-Advance VisionCare. I cannot begin to explain how good this all feels. Everyone is delightful, I couldn’t have wished for better treatment. All my friends are very impressed-they said they didn’t realise I was so good-looking behind my “Spectacles” Thank you all so very-very much.
Brian Reddecliffe
Apologies for the delay in sending this, but i wanted to get to the stage where my eyes had completely settled following the operation. I thought the service provided was excellent right from my initial consultation at Eyesite, right through to my visits and operation at the clinic and the after-care with Eyesite. This is a major life changing operation and it is worrying with the possible consequences if things do not go well. However, I thought the consultation and treatment were excellent and certainly greatly helped in putting ones fears to rest. I would not hesitate to recommend this procedure and the clinic to anybody.
Fiona Hayward
I was highly impressed with the level of service, communication, care and after service that I have received through Advance VisionCare. I was particularly nervous and worried about the procedure but I wish I didn’t waste my energy worrying because it was pain free and straightforward. Mr Pillai is the ultimate professional and has complete control and confidence and this is why i wouldn’t recommend anyone else other than Advance VisionCare. Thank you all so very much for ensuring this whole experience has been a fantastic one. You listened carefully to my needs I as a patient I am extremely happy 4 weeks after my procedure.
Patricia Crowley
Prior to my ICL treatment, I had a prescription of Right eye -8.75 and Left eye -8.75. I had worn glasses For 32 years. Because of my high prescription I was unsuitable for Laser Eye Surgery and I undertook an extensive research into the STAAR ICL. In April I had the ICL procedure in both eyes with three weeks between my first and second eye. I has been amazing. My eyesight is now perfect. The procedure was painless. Advance VisionCare was very accommodating as I live in Ireland. The staffs were wonderful and very professional. I can honestly say that I feel like I was actually born with these new improved eyes. They feel so natural! I would recommend this procedure to anyone deemed suitable. It has been a life changing.
