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
Steven Johnson
I found the whole laser eye treatment excellent. Mr Pillai and his team made me feel totally relaxed and at ease from my first consultation, through the operation and aftercare. I can confidently recommend anyone who is thinking of having laser eye treatment to contact Mr Pillai and his team at Advance VisionCare where they will find the services second to none in this friendly efficient eye clinic. My only regret is that I did not have laser treatment sooner.
Tony Howard
Many thanks to Mr Pillai and your excellent team for the outstanding way you handled my recent Cataract Surgery. Many thanks also to your outstanding surgeon Prof. Filpec on the very professional way he carried out my surgery. I would have no hesitation on highly recommending everyone on your team. Again many thanks, Tony Howard.
Reuben Abda
The overall service provided by Advance VisionCare was very friendly and professional. I felt very comfortable in the presence of Mr Pillai. All questions that I asked were answered satisfactory. Although I believe the service was quite expensive, overall I think it was a worthwhile investment. Thank you Mr Pillai for your professionalism. Thank you Lela for your help and kindness. Thank you to the Brazilian male nurse who was very helpful & caring. Thank you Saule for taking my money ?
Cathrine Pollard
I am so pleased I had my eyes lasered, wish I’d done it ages ago. Mr Pillai and his staff were very reassuring, friendly and supportive. Also Philip Bradley with my after-care has been wonderful. No more glasses, no more contact lens.
Eric Day
I felt reassured from the first appointment. CK process is quick and painless and the after affects are minimal, but the results are very good I would recommend this treatment to anyone. At Advance VisionCare the staff are friendly and efficient, a very good service
Wayne Roworth
I fully recommend Advance VisionCare. I’m extremely pleased with the high level of expertise and service. My treatment has been nothing but a pleasure and my eyesight is excellent.
Marie Rhys-Williams
I went to other centres for quotes. This is the only clinic I went to where I meet the Surgeon, who also checked my eyes. The other places I went to said I needed to have both eyes treated and I would not meet the Surgeon until the day of the procedure. Mr Pillai needed to do only one eye and if wasn’t pleased then I could go back. He made me feel totally at ease before and during the procedure. I had immense trust as soon as he said that I only needed to have one eye treated.
Anita Smith
Mr Pillai was recommend to me and I would have no hesitation in doing the same to any person wishing to have the freedom to live life to the full without the burden of spectacles. Staff are great and I was confident of a great result and free of nerves on the day of treatment. I have previously been to another clinic but was told that I would have to continue to wear glasses, thank goodness that I had a second opinion.
Jessie Hosti
RE -7.75/-1.25 4 LE -6.5/-1.5 178 Like everyone else, I was interested in refractive Laser surgery; therefore I went to a few clinics. A well known clinic offered me Laser Surgery after an initial consultation of 45 mins but I was not satisfied with the service I received. I then went to Advance VisionCare on a colleague's recommendation. After several hours of extensive eye tests I was told that I was not suitable for Laser treatment due to - my relatively high prescription, large pupil size, and my cornea was on the thinner side. Mr Pillai offered me to undergo Implantable Contact Lens Procedure instead. I was rather disappointed and confused but Mr Pillai explained to me in great detail using the results of the eye tests why ICL is the appropriate treatment for me rather than laser surgery. After this I felt much happier with the decision. I was given enough information and time to reflect upon the research on the Implantable Contact Lens procedure and the opportunity to ask lots of questions. I cannot explain how happy I am to have made this decision, in spite of the scepticism and negative feelings about this procedure initially. The surgeon Dr Helgason was friendly and extemely approachable. It was reassuring to know that himself has had the Implantable Contact Lenses implanted in his own eyes. I had my surgery in January, and 6 weeks postoperatively I have 6/6 vision in my both eyes. They are both 100% sight, and I have 20/20 vision. I am really thankful to Advance VisionCare - Mr Pillai and the clinical team. My advice to everyone is - don't be afraid of other procedures if you are not suitable for Laser surgery and please take time to consult more than one clinic. And I feel rather fortunate that I came to Advance VisionCare - who knows what would have happened if I had gone for laser treatment (that was dangerous for me to have).
Mags Thompson
My prescription was +8 in both eyes with moderate astigmatism. I have been looking for laser surgery desperately to get rid of my glasses, as I enjoy riding my bike, and other outdoor sports. The last couple of years, my research show that I was not suitable for laser surgery, and there were no other alternatives given to me by other clinics. When I visited Advance VisionCare, I was disappointed to learn that I was not suitable for Laser Surgery, because of my high prescription. But instead, they offered me a clear lens extraction, or lens exchange to correct my prescription. This is similar to cataract operation, but I learned it will correct my prescription, and I won’t need to wear any glasses. I was thrilled about the prospect; therefore I went for the surgery, and I was treated by one of the very well known surgeons in Europe. Then I learned that I was left a little bit long sighted in both eyes, and I had to wear soft contact lenses in both eyes. Mr Pillai assured me, that he will be able to fine tune with the laser treatment for both eyes, which I underwent last week. I am pleased to say that my vision is more than driving standard in each eye, and I come out to express my gratitude to surgeons of Advance VisionCare, and happiness. As I am a gym instructor, I am now able to do outdoor sports, ride my bike without any glasses for the first time in my life. Anybody who is not suitable for Laser Surgery – don’t give up hope - contact Advance VisionCare, and they will give you an alternative solution, like they did for me !!! Thank you Advance VisionCare team. Mags Thompson
