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
Marie Telford
I had worn glasses since I was 3 half with my prescription getting much stronger in recent years. So what could Advance VisionCare do for me? I was very nervous on arrival at this clinic but was put at ease by such a friendly welcome. At the consultation Mr Pillai was very thorough and answered all my questions with honesty and patience! He told me I was a candidate for laser treatment and could improve my vision to the extent of not needing glasses except for reading. The day of the operation went very smoothly, again everyone involved helped to put a very nervous lady at ease. Mr Pillai talked me through the whole procedure. No pain-just mild discomfort and all over within twenty minutes. The effect was almost instant within a couple of hours I was texting friends without glasses. 4 weeks on-Everything going well, just using drops daily to prevent eyes getting dry. Just being able to read labels and notices without searching for the glasses is great. Night vision for driving has improved too. At present I do not even need reading glasses however I purchased a pair over the counter +1.50 in strength just in case! Thank you Mr Pillai and all your wonderful staff, I would have no hesitation in recommending Advance VisionCare to nay of my family and friends.
PAUL SWABY
My prescription for my right eye was -8.00 with -2.25 astigmatism and left eye -9.75 with -1.50 astigmatism. My experience at all times with Advance VisionCare was excellent. The staffs are friendly, welcoming and professional. This made me feel at ease and confident with my procedure. I can’t praise them highly enough. Thank you very much!!!!
Maja Dabagh
This is the most important part that I was dying to fill in. A bit about my background: I am 22 years old, and a medical student. My vision was -8.50 in both eyes before. I knew no one who had the procedure and did my own research I went to Optical Express, Ultralase and wasn’t accepted by them as the thought my prescription was still changing due to my young age. Also found out cost £495.00 etc went up for higher prescriptions. Also because there are many Surgeons in those clinics it’s the fact that you don’t know who operates on you. Mr Pillai’s CV can be found easily and only he treats you. As a medical student I know there is a difference between Surgeons and some can be very unprofessional. I developed a complications- Haze in my eyes but I had extra surgerey (at no extra cost). I was worried obviously and procedure does come pain afterward but you can numb the pain. If you are a perfectionist and have worn glasses for more than 10 years I have low self esteem-Then go for it, you won’t regret it!!
Faiza Meroi
I have been thinking of having the treatment for the last two years, and finally decided to come for the consultation in January 09. I was so pleased with the thorough check up and the explanations I got from the clinic and decided to book for the treatment on that day! The treatment day was so quick and no pain at all; a bit of a blur and a feeling of a bit dry eyes; apart from that there was no problem at all (in fact I went to see a show in the night of the treatment !!) I have just had my 1 week check up; all is ok just a bit dry eyes; so I continue to use “sno drops” and “gel tears” just keep my eyes lubricated. It is the best thing ever!! Highly recommended to anybody!!
Deborah Beesley
My internet research stopped when I read Advance VisionCare website. The website gave me all the information I required at that time, the Surgeons qualifications, reputation, types of procedures and the success rate of surgeries. I live in Siberia so telephone communication was not always convenient. E-mail correspondence was made through Lela who, due to her efficacy and excellent telephone manner, gave me the confidence to book both my initial assessment and surgerey date (If accepted). The assessments were made efficiently and everything was explained clearly. The LASEK eye surgery went ahead (Having discussed the options), totally pain free and staff were sympathetic to my nervousness. Follow up checks done thoroughly and I am very pleased with the results.
Helen Charman
The service was excellent with a very caring attitude towards a very nervous patient! I felt confident about being able to ask for any additional information and support needed.
James Hayman
Totally painless and relaxed procedure from start to finish, I would defiantly not hesitate in recommending Advance VisionCare to anybody-My only disappointment is that I didn’t have treatment sooner!
T Hakki
So had that I had treatment done. My confidence has improved 100% per consultation, I waited to long to decided to have treatment done. I would defiantly recommend anyone who’s thinking about this. Just take the time out make a appointment for self satisfaction you will be very happy. Best choice I ever made.
M Hakki
The only thing I would like to say to other people who are considering laser care, stop thinking and make a appointment for treatment. I will recommend Advance VisionCare to everyone. I have been told for years my sight was so poor that I could not be treated, my eyes after laser treatment has improved so much (no more glasses)
Ronald Rdrigues
I have been wearing glasses for over 40 years and my prescription was getting pretty strong. I also suffered a little bit of blurred vision in one eye so CLE was suggested. The operation was fine and I was well looked after. The only problem was that there was a delay of a couple of hours each time. Like I said, the operation went well and it did not hurt any much more than giving blood. The nurses and surgeon were very nice and put me at case. Now I have very good long distance vision but due to my age so I now require reading glasses but I was told that would be the case at my initial consultation.
