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
Nathalie Masoin
I have absolutely no complaints and no regrets. I visited another cheaper clinic before coming to Advance Vision Care and later found out they had misinformed me about my options and could have damaged my eyes. The staff and surgeon at Advance Vision Care are very supportive and patient, and I couldn’t want more from aftercare service. Things can go wrong anywhere, but I truly think that they are less likely to go wrong here than in cheaper clinics that try to get a lot of people through.
Nicola Roche
I just want to say thank you! The whole experience was excellent and the results are even better. The staff was lovely and supportive throughout everything, the accommodation was superb and I am so pleased to be free from glasses and contact lenses.
Samir Rna
I previously had -6.5 in both eyes and went in for the Wavefront LASEK as recommended by Mr Pillai due to my large pupil size. The worst part of the treatment was probably the bandage lens as it is slightly annoying, but there was no pain. 5 days after the treatment I was driving and seeing without the need for glasses or contacts and had excellent vision. Almost 6 months on and I have no complaints whatsoever and am very pleased with my choice. With thanks to Mr Pillai, Cassie and the rest of the staff at Advanced Vision Care.
Private
My eyes were both about 7.5 diopter before the surgery. Straight after surgery I became 20/40 driving standards and it has been getting better ever since. In was amazed at the results and feel it’s a miracle. For 18 years I have been short sighted but not anymore. I feel like a new person. The doctors/nurses were excellent. The surgery was painless, only a little discomforting, but no pain. I recommend and one short sighted to go for it at Advance VisionCare. They are highly professional and it’s more than worth every penny to see again. The surgery is priceless, truly. !!!!!
Donna Petford
The whole experience with Advance Visioncare has been excellent. I have been made to feel at ease, all of my questions have been answered patiently and professionally by Mr Pillai in person and over the phone. I was very anxious on the day of the surgery but I was made to feel both relaxed and confident with the proceedure. It was painless (if a little uncomfortable) and I have had -5.00 and -1.25 astigmatism in both eyes corrected to 98% vision which is truly amazing and still improving 2 weeks post op! It has changed my life - I wish I had been braver years ago.
Mariana Ion
All the staff from 77 Harley Street is doing a very good job. It has been one week since my laser treatment and believe me that I was waiting for this operation 10 years, because my sight lies high and many surgeons didn’t want to do the operation. But with the team support in Advance Vision Care I see clearly and the results are immediately. Thank you. It’s a miracle I see without my specs.
Gary Howman
The service has been excellent throughout. Mr Pillai is a very clever and pleasant man who assures every question you have is reassuring. His support team are also marvellous. If you are considering laser treatment, come here as they are the best.
Chris Farrow
Staff were friendly efficient knowledgeable. Made me feel confident that they would not just do the op. For the money and that if I wasn’t suitable they would have said so. During the treatment I was made to feel calm about the whole procedure. As the whole thing went without a hitch I am more than happy and very pleased I finally got round to having it done.
Richard Lorimer
The staff at Harley Street was outstanding, they were not only highly professional but also friendly and helpful in particular Cassie & Lela. Speaking to Dr Pillai during the consultation was also very reassuring and helped to put away any doubts. The only small complaint was not during during my first post op appointment I was kempt waiting for forty minutes and was seen between two operations. The impression was that Dr Pillai was very busy and did not have the time to see me. This was only a minor point and I was very happy overall with every aspect of care.
Victoria Lenney
I cannot fault the service in any way. It was excellent and very professional. You were made to feel that all the focus was on you, and only you. All the staff were lovely and really did put my mind at rest. The result of my treatment is truly amazing. I have just received my 2nd follow up consultation and have 98% corrected vision. I am delighted with the results-it was worth every penny I can now join the police force which was my ultimate aim. The service received was streets apart from the experience I had at Ultralase when I went there for a consultation-I was made to feel rushed and the waiting room was packed to the brim with other patients which put me off completely.
