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
Shaun Maddock
Ever since I was about 8 I have worn glasses. I now have the ability to see without them and I can’t get over what I was missing out on. People take their vision for granted, but all I can say is thank you all at AVC for giving me what most people already have. I am so happy with all at AVC. Thank you for my sight.
John Hands
My research for treatments to dispense with contact lenses and spectacles for distance and intermediate (computer) vision included consultations at three other clinics. One asked for a deposit for its full treatment prior to the initial consultation; its optometrist recommended LASIK and said I could only see the surgeon the day before the procedure and she, not he, would answer any of my questions. The second was helpful but no surgeon was present and the patient co-ordinator wasn’t able to answer my questions; it advised a particular make of lens to replace my natural lenses. At the third, very busy clinic, I didn’t have all the tests promised. The surgeon advised another make of replacement lens, but before I could finish asking questions he said my time was up and he had to see the next patient. I subsequently discovered each clinic had a financial interest in the treatment it recommended, by way of a contract with the manufacturer of the LASIK equipment or else the replacement lenses. My experience at AVC couldn’t have been more different. I was given the full range of tests in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. The surgeon, Mr Pillai, explained the results, advised why LASIK was unsuitable for me, and discussed the advantages and disadvantages for my particular requirements of the different types of replacement lenses from different manufacturers, in none of which did AVC have a financial interest. AVC used specialist surgeons for lens replacement treatment. Subsequently I asked several detailed questions by email, all of which were answered promptly. I wasn’t sure which prescription of lens would be better for my less dominant eye, and so Mr Pillai bought two so that we could choose after I’d experienced the replacement lens in my dominant eye. The standard of patient care by surgeon, nurses, optometrists, and all the AVC staff for the procedures and afterwards was top class. The outcome has exceeded my expectations. My long distance vision now is excellent, not only in daytime but also in night time conditions with none of the side effects associated with other types of replacement lens. I can now read not only 8-point text on a computer screen for sustained periods (~2 hours) without any spectacles, but in good light I can also read 8-point on paper at a normal reading distance. I don’t give praise lightly, but I wholeheartedly recommend AVC to anyone wanting a personal, tailor-made service for improving his or her vision. And the bonus? AVC was less expensive than the others!
Denise Percy
My first inquiry to AVC was very tentative, but the reassuring and informative manner in which I was dealt with meant that I was comfortable enough to move on from that. At each subsequent stage – consultation, discussion of options, decision to proceed, preparation beforehand and actual operations, I was treated as someone very important and special to all AVC staff. The bespoke treatment certainly lived up to its name. Another vital aspect of the service is that at no stage did I feel under pressure to make any decision outside my comfort zone. I cannot describe what a difference CLE has made to me – yes life was good with specs, but now it is so much better!
Jane Patrick
I would definitely recommend AVC to friends with similar eye sight. The Clear Lens Exchange procedure has definitely been life changing for me. Although it is a big decision to opt for surgery, the staff at AVC were all extremely helpful and supportive throughout. Thank you.
Julie Lawrence
I cannot praise enough the level of service and care received from the staff at both Harley Street and Colindale. The amazing results are life changing for me, and although I was extremely nervous at both appointments, I would do it again! There are not enough words to describe the feeling of waking up and being able to see without reaching for my specs! I have no ideas on how to improve on an excellent professional service.
Ryan Smith
From start (initial consultation) to surgery right through to aftercare, I felt completely comfortable, relaxed and confident with the whole clinical team at AVC. Even with the aftercare being done by my Optician. I am so glad and happy I went through with my treatment and 6 weeks on it has made such a life changing difference to me. I could not fault anything, only compliment and praise.
Dr Sarah Frearson
I am thrilled – my eyesight is better than it has ever been, even with glasses. All the staff at AVC are/were friendly, approachable and professional. I was extremely impressed with every aspect of the treatment – including the aftercare. Thank you.
Ian Reed
From start to finish I can’t fault the service I have received. Before coming to AVC, I had had previous consultations with both Optimax and Vision Express and neither came close to the level of care and attention to detail as AVC. I put off having treatment for five years as I wasn’t happy with the way I was treated by the other companies. After my treatment I really couldn’t be happier. Best thing I’ve ever done.
Caroline Van Rekum
Deciding on CLE surgery is a serious procedure and it was very important for me to feel I was in good hands from the very start. From the first telephone enquiries up until surgery and post-surgery, I really could not find fault with the services provided by AVC (compared to the somewhat patronising attitude of the practitioners in my own country of residence!). The staff are always polite and concerned and also very patient in answering any questions you may have. The operation itself is surprisingly rapid, the only uncomfortable aspect being the very bright op light. Any other feelings of discomfort were soon banished by Pawel and his choccy-bikkies!
Daniel Smith
Great experience. I was very nervous but it was over with very quickly. Staff very professional and put you at ease. I am now glasses free and would recommend Advanced Vision Care to anyone. You can’t take a risk with your eyes so you go to the best. Advanced Vision Care was recommended to me by my mother who had her eyes done about 3 and a half years ago and has always said it was the best thing she ever had done.
