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
Penelope Jane Baatz
What Can I say ! A faultness service from start to finish. Impeccable timekeeping-totally comprehensive explanations delivered in a friendly and non-threatening way by Cassie who gets 10 out 10 for putting me at ease both before and during surgery. Dr Pillai - you have changed my life - thank you so much for that. 20/20 vision-what more could I ask for? You are a star.
Daniel Graham
After a lot of homework and extensive research I decided to choose Advance VisionCare. I was very impressed by everyone I spoke to. From my initial contact with Lela, who explained everything I asked and was professional in booking appointments and sending me all the relevant information. Already I was sure I had made the right decision. Then when I arrived at the surgery I was met by Donna for my consultation, she was excellent in explaining what would happen and told me what to expect. After my preliminary tests I was introduced to Dr Pillai, who was one of the reasons I chose AVC. His CV was extremely impressive and the fact he does all the consultations and operations made me feel totally at ease. After a thorough appointment I was told I would be suitable for treatment and was booked in for Lasik Wavefront the following day. Once again Dr Pillai was on hand to reassure me and answer any last minute questions I had. Before the operation I was introduced to Cassie, Dr Pillai's assistant. She was superb in making sure I was calm and told me what was about to happen during treatment. This also helped settle me and I was very grateful for this. The surgery itself was painless, only a little discomfort from the speculum. More of a pressure sensation than actual pain. It certainly wasn't anywhere near as bad as I had expected. Mr Pillai and Cassie explained everything that was going on at every stop of the way and my wife watched the whole procedure from adjoining examination room. Soon it was all over and I was amazed how well I could see. Even then my vision was a huge improvement and as I looked around I marvelled the results. At the first check up the following day I was told that my vision was at driving standard, which was amazing considering that I was very short sighted. Since then it has just got better and better, my recovery has been quick & excellent too. I have not suffered from night time problems and my eyes rarely feel dry or tired. Eye laser surgery has been one of the best decisions of my life and like everyone else, my only regret is that I wish I had done it sooner. I was very impressed with the service from beginning to end and would recommend Advance VisionCare to everyone and have already done so already. Many thanks to Dr Pillai and the Advance VisionCare team.
Tina Henry
The staff were excellent and answered all qustions thoroughly. Theny made me feel cofident about having surgery.Mr Pillai and Cassie were great during the surgery, explaning what they were doing and making feel calmer although I was scared. Lela did not mind any questions, no matter how silly they may have been. Overall I would recommend this team to anyone having/thinking about laser eye surgery. I have never had any "business" treat me so well.
Denis Bassom
My operation was on the day of the London bombings. The staff were fantastic, carrying on working in difficult circumstances. My "new" eyes have made motorcycling much safer. I also think they are going to be worth half a second lap in my race car !
Marie Harris
The service & staff were excellent I couldn't have asked for anything more. The only thing I feel I was not prepared for was the pain for a few hours afterwards, when the anaesthtic drops wore off. It did only last for a couple of hours though and was a small price to pay. I have already recommended 3 freinds to them. Thanks.
Karen Blease
The services, advice and staff were excellent. I was made to feel at ease, all my questions were answered honestly. I was told step by step what would be happening & what to expect. After being turned down for treatment at 2 other clinics without being see by a surgeon it was pleasing to see Mr Pillai on my first visit. The service at Advance VisionCare to anyone who wishes to have their vision corrected. My prescription was +5.50 and now I need no glasses or lenses !
Claire Smith
I suffer from orthostatic tremor and had though this would cause problems because of had movement Mr Pillai overcome this at the time of the surgery and has achevied a very good result which at 6 weeks is still improving. All staff are helpful, kind & reasuring.
James Powell
After weeks of internet research I was most impressed with the feedback & reviews left by customers of Advance VisionCare. During my initial consultation it was the friendliness & professionalism of the staff made up my mind that I could trust AVC with my sight. Mr Pillai's honesty in telling me that the more expensive "Wavefront" technology would not be of any real benefit me was also greatly appreciated. At the end of my consultation I booked my surgery for the first available appointment, being a week later to the day. The surgery itself really was painless; the anasthetic drops applied to the eyes meant there was no feeling at all in the eye itself. The only slight discomfort was the pressure of the vacuum - I had read about it in numerous other reviews, but in reality it wasn't anywhere near as bad as I had been expecting - certainly not painful, just slightly uncomfortable. The surgeon and his assistant explained what was going on at every step during the surgery and my girlfriend watched the whole procedure from the adjoining room. At the check-up the following day, though my vision was slightly cloudy, I was reading to 20/20 standard. This cloudiness disappeared within about 2 days as did the slight sensitivity to bright lights. Today is a week later; I've just had my 1 week post-op check-up and have been told I have 20/40 vision! The world is crystal clear and I have never appreciated the scenary everywhere so much!! Thank you to everybody at AVC.
Bhaven Ondhia
I found the whole experience comforting, at no point was I nervous of my decision. Each & every member of staff put me at ease, giving clear explanations to all my Q'S. Mr Pillai & Cassie were expecially professional during all my consultation visits both pre & post op. I would recommend the clinic to evereyone & have done so already.
Anna bangs
I looked at having laser treatment three years ago, but it was decided that, at the age of 20, i was still a bit too young and my eyes would probably still change. One of my friends had his eyes lasered 2 months ago with Advanced Vision Care, he was extatic about it. So, i decided to look into it too, as im off in 3 weeks to New Zealand i didnt know if it was possible in that time, but it was discussed and i was able to have the treatment. So, 2 weeks ago i toddled down to Harley Street to meet the team and had both my eyes lasered. Everyone was lovely and had loads of info for me about N.Z. They really made me fell completely at ease. Also my dad watched the who procedure on screen and was facinated. After one week my left eye was down to 0, no prescription, my right eye s still settling. Thanks to all at Advance Vision Care and Davis Opticians, youre stars!!
