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
al kirk
great clinic
Naim Malek
All aspects of my treatment were first class. Mr Pillai is first class refractive surgeon in UK. Even with my very poor eyes. He assured me all the way that my eyes would improve. I am very pleased and grateful to Mr Pillai and his excellent team. They have well organised integrated system. Many thanks to all the team involved.
Lindsay Ferry
I first had laser treatment at Optimax in September 2002. Like most people I was swayed by the price more than anything. They seemed to be the most well known at the time. The day after I received my treatment I could barely see three feet in front of me and was quite a lot of discomfort. I returned to the clinic for my check-up but rather than being re-assured that everything was alright I found the surgeon rather bewildered by my condition. I continued to visit Optimax for several weeks after this. I at no time was I offered any real explanation for my poor vision despite pressing for one. My sight did gradually improve until about three months after it began to deteriorate to the extent that I bought a new pair of glasses. Not what I expected at all!! This went on for a year when finally the surgeon decided to refer me to the clinic’s director for a second opinion. This referral never happened and I never heard from optimax again! At no time was I offered re-treatment and quite frankly I wouldn’t have expected either. A friend of mine was considering laser treatment and put me in touch with a local optician, who after a very thorough examination referred me to Advance Vision Care in Harley Street, London. I was naturally apprehensive about my first visit to Harley Street, however any doubts and fears were soon dismissed. I explained to Mr Pillai (the Medical Director) what had happened to me over the previous year and he in turn explained that I had epithelial in growth and that he could treat me. It was such a relief to know that someone understood what had happened to me! I received my treatment in three stages so I know that the personal service I received on my first visit was not a one off. Mr Pillai and his team always know whom I am when I walk through the door-there is never any waiting around and the whole experience is very relaxed as well as extremely professional. I am extremely pleased to say that I no longer wear glasses and I have near perfect vision. Fantastic!! I often get asked for my opinion about laser surgery and I always respond the same. There are a lot of surgeons and there who are capable of performing the basic surgery, however you need to feel comfortable that if something does go wrong that the surgeon is actually capable of correcting it! I suspect many of them aren’t!! I really can’t thank Mr Pillai enough.
Karen wright
I cannot fault the service, which I received from Advance Vision Care, before, during and after the operation. I was amazed that I suffered so few side effects from the treatment, just slight discomfort immediately after the operation+dry eyes for a couple of months, which the artificial tears dealt with. I had no problems with night vision, or a lot of flucutation in vision. In fact I have had excellent vision from the day after the operation. I would recommend Advance Vision Care to anyone contemplating laser eye treatment.
Robert Marcus
The engaging Dr. Pillai is a scientific magician. True, I was relieved of a substantial sum, but in return I’m now seeing (at 43 years of age) better than I was at 14 years old! From minus 9 to zero in five weeks is fantastic for me. And I should add that a small problem with one eye, immediately after the operation, was quickly rectified, even though Dr. Pillai had to see me on a Sunday to be sure all was well. All in all, excellent service produced a great outcome for me.
Fiona Braid
After one year, the treatment is still fantastic, my eyesight is perfect and I have had no side effects or deterioration. I would recommend the procedure to anyone and I often do!! Best thing I ever did.
Kay Grout
I have absolutely no negative comments or experiences to tell of what so ever. I am happy I chose the best Clinic I could have and I have told everyone I know this as well. I was made to feel special from the moment I entered the building, to the moment I left.
Nikki Hill
Very professional, friendly staff. My sister came with me for the operation and was made to feel very welcome. Clinic was very helpful in providing background information on the procedure and the surgeon (I checked details myself with the General Medical Council) so I had total confidence at all stages of the procedure.
mark heaton jones
Well-informed during consultation. Thoroughly at ease during painless surgery. Excellent after-care. Would recommend treatment to all these who will listen!
David Lucke
Its been 8 weeks since I had the op done. I was 7 and 7.25 diopters shortsighted, with a slight astigmatism. I had a consulation at Advance VisionCare after initially trying Boots and Ultralase, neither of whom impressed me very much. Ultralase's wavefront measurement calculated my vision to be a diopter worse than it was, and Boots refused to treat me because my pupils were so wide, and then casually mentioned that they didn't have wavefront at that clinic anyway, I'd have to go all the way out to Bluewater for that. In contrast, Advance VisionCare seriously impressed me with their pressionalism and dedication to getting absolutely perfect results - if Ultralase got a dodgy result they shrugged their shoulders and carried on, eventually deciding just not to do the Wavefront at all. The people at Advance VisionCare threw out and repeated anything that they weren't happy with until they had a set of perfect results. It was this attention to detail that got me, as well as the amount of stuff they explained, examining the wavefront disagrams, explaining what the thickness of my corneas meant, how much the laser would remove, and how that was affected by my pupil size, and so on. I had the op. It went well (though my very strong blink reflex made things tricky). Immediately after the op, Dr Pillai tested my eyes, and despite the post-op wateriness and general unclearness, I was already better than driving standard. I tested that less than 48 hours later, with a 6 hour round trip drive to the Welsh border and back. Everything went fine. Now I'm +.25 and -.25, and very happy indeed. I'm working in front of a high resolution computer screen full time without glasses, and don't expect to need them. The only problems have been the expected side-effects: glare, which hasn't been bad enough to interfere with night drinving since the first week or so, and which appears to be getting better (though so slowly its difficult to judge); and dry eyes, which I have been controlling with drops. The first set of drops worked, but only for an hour or so if I was using computers, so Dr Pillai switched me on to gel based equivalent, which have been much better, and which I really can use just 3-4 times a day (or once a day if I'm not using computers). What else can I say? I'm very happy I got the surgery, very happy I got it done at Advance VisionCare, and would happily recommend it to anyone.
keiron roche
My vision which was-6.00-6ts is now 20/20 and I have suffered no reaction to the treatments. I would recommend Advance Vision Care to anyone considering having eye treatment. The service and care from start to finish has been excellent.
