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
Malcolm Dixon
I have been looking at laser surgery for couple of years, and when I had my consultation with Mr Pillai 6 months ago, I was advised that due to my prescription I was not suitable for Laser Surgery. My prescription is -16 in both eyes, but he advised me that the Implantable Contact Lens will get rid of all my prescription, and will have a good vision without glasses. I waited for 6 months for the service to be organized at Advance VisionCare, and I am very happy I did so, as I was operated by one of the leading professors in Europe. One week after the surgery in both eyes my vision is close to 20/20. It is difficult to explain how thrilled I am to be able to drive a car without my glasses. I used to struggle, and it was very difficult and expensive to get glasses or contact lenses for my prescription. I think this new technology of ICL is god sent – it really works for people like me, with high prescription, who can not have Laser treatment. Thank You!
Jeminee Soni
I was looking at Laser Refractive Surgery to get rid of my glasses for the last 1 or 2 years. I wanted to go and travel around the world, but the glasses and contact lens become an unwanted baggage. When I went for consultation at Advance VisionCare, Mr Pillai explained to me that I was not suitable for laser surgery, because my cornea was thin, and my prescription was -7 in both eyes with astigmatism. I was offered alternative method of getting rid of glasses - by putting implantable contact lens in my eye. Initially I hesitated, but I was given the full explanation of the side effects of the procedure, and I was convinced that it will be done by one of the best, and internationally well known professors in Europe. Therefore, I agreed for this procedure to be done by Advance VisionCare. It is now 2 weeks since the procedure has been done in my both eyes, and I have 20/20 vision in each eye!! I am very pleased with the results, and the fact that I chose Advance VisionCare - as they have very good reputation. They not only offer Laser Refractive surgery, but they offer the full range of different procedures to get rid of glasses, for people who are not suitable for Laser. Now I am ready to go around the world for a year, and Advance VisionCare arranged for me to see various consultants in different parts of the world, if I have any problems. That puts my mind at rest. Thanks again to Advance VisionCare and their staff, for this amazing experience.
Jane Bradshaw
Information provided was clear and detailed and care was taken during the consultation to explain everything and answer my questions. The procedure was quick and painless. Only one week after surgery so hard to tell how good my sight will be long-term, but I am managing fine without glasses or lenses. It's great not to have to fiddle around with lens solutions at the end of the day.
Laura Charlton
Unusually for me, I was not worried or concerned on the treatment day and I can only put this down to my complete confidence and trust in Mr Pillai and his team. Everything went very smoothly and my vision improved immediately. I am thrilled with the results so so far. Thank you!!
Darren Weir
Everything was better than I expected. I had anything coming close to my eye - couldn't even wear contact lens. The staff and surgeon made me very relaxed and talked through every stage. If you are squeamish like me - LASIK is fine - JUST DO IT!!
Jennifer Convey
Mr Pillai is obviously very busy, but never makes you feel rushed. He puts you at ease, and gives you confidence to trust him. All the staff are very helpful, even when I returned home and unfortunately had a reaction to my artificial tears. They kept in touch to find out how I was doing, and were very courteous. Even though my outcome is not monovision as was expected, I am still very happy and hopeful that my right eye will improve further. Thank you, Mr Pillai for my new vision.
Christine Lunt
I have been very pleased with all elements of the process, and would recommend the process with yourselves. Thank You.
Daniel Bull
After months of research into the treatment I was recommended to AVC, and the professional work of Mr Pillai and his staff. From the first phonecall I was made at ease, and this continued to date (6 weeks). At present I have 20/20 vision in both eyes, and hardly any dryness. It would be without hesitation that I would recommend Mr Pillai and his staff for such an important treatment procedure. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at AVC for all the care and attention I received.
Mrs Kim Frewin Clarke
The treatment I received from AVC was excellent. Everyone was helpful and caring and made me feel at ease. As I travelled from Kent, I was also offered a hotel for the surgery night . My sight was fantastic, I now have more than 20/20 vision and I have had no problems since the procedure - I would recommend AVC to everyone - it has changed my life - Thank You.
Patricia Redmond
To have laser on my eyes was a very big thing to do, but I felt comfident and assured and was in the best place!!
