Focus is a well renowned, prestigious specialist laser eye clinic based in the London Harley Street medical enclave. It has a reputation for treating celebrities, and claims to have a 99.7% success rate (excluding very high prescriptions).
What makes it different? This is a consultant led clinic, meaning UK-trained eye surgeons combine their advanced surgical skills with the specially selected laser systems that are 100% committed to achieving 20/20 vision.
Is there anything to look out for? Yes, check what you are comfortable paying. Focus is one of the pricier options for vision correction, and the success rate barely differs from clinics that charge half the price.
1. Focus Eye Surgery Treatments
Focus has often led the way in terms of technology advancement over the years. It was the first clinic to correct reading vision using Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) radio waves, which uses radio waves rather than lasers to reshape the eye surface (cornea). The chief surgeon, Mr David Allamby, has performed more CK procedures than any other surgeon in the world.
Mr Allamby is also the first surgeon in the U.K to pioneer and perform the first Z-Lasik Blended Vision (another treatment for reading glasses). He remains at the forefront of specialist surgeons for presbyopia in the UK, and has provided surgical training to visiting surgeons worldwide.
So what’s on offer? The standard procedures at Focus include: Z-LASIK, LASEK and PRK (all with Wavefront technology). The clinic additionally specialises in these popular lens replacement surgeries: refractive lens exchange (RLE), implantable collamer lens (ICL), cataract surgery.
2. Focus Costs
Focus is one of the most expensive places in the UK for laser eye and lens replacement surgery, along with its friends on Harley Street: the London Vision Clinic and Moorfields Private (just around the corner).
Nearly 200 patients told us they paid on average £6,200 for laser eye surgery and £6,700 for lens replacement surgery at Focus. These prices are among the highest out there, and around double what you can pay elsewhere in the UK.
Laser eye surgery costs (both eyes):
- LASIK cost: £6,500
- LASIK specialist cost: £6,000
- LASIK blended vision: £5,400
Lens and cataract surgery costs (both eyes):
- Refractive lens exchange cost: £6,500
- Cataract surgery cost: £6,500 (standard lens) – £7,500 (premium lens)
- ICL surgery cost: £7,500
Then there’s the VIP Package for £12,000, all in. Focus doesn’t reveal what’s involved in this eye-watering price tag, so we’ll go out on a limb and say you may not find great value for money here.
Are there any hidden costs?
You’ll be please to learn that the quotes above are fixed prices, meaning you should avoid some nasty surprises. These costs include a generous 10-year guarantee, and initial consultations are free.
Interest-free finance options are also available, from £179.17 per eye per month, with a £500 deposit. Other clinics, however, offer monthly payment plans for around a quarter of the price.
So is it worth paying more?
Well, it may be if you are looking for: the most up-to-date ophthalmic tech, some of the UK’s most experienced surgeons, and being treated like a king in general. Plus, all procedures use Wavefront technology as standard: a slightly pricier add-on that improves the accuracy of the laser by measuring the eye’s exact measurements.
But don’t feel pressured into paying more than you feel comfortable with. Laser eye surgery is considered a safe procedure, with over 95% of people being satisfied or very satisfied with results, according to NICE. Optical Express, for example, is so confident of achieving 20/20 vision, it has a moneyback offer if you don’t. And prices there are half what they are at Focus Clinics on average.
3. Focus Review: The Verdict
FOCUS Clinics features as one of the best places for laser eye surgery in the UK. Plus, with friendly staff and a “Good” CQC rating, it also makes its way onto the list of the 10 best laser eye surgery clinics in London.
But is it right for you? Focus Clinics does offer plenty of excellent perks for the higher price tags: cutting-edge lasers, pioneering eye surgeons, and hard-to-fault customer service. That said, your money will also fund perks no one really needs: things like the prime Harley Street location, spa-like rooms, and VIP treatment.
Anyone looking to bag a bargain eye surgery should keep looking. Well-reviewed high street clinics such as Optical Express, Ultralase and Optimax might be a better fit if that’s the case.
☝ Ask the eye experts: To see if there is a better rated laser eye surgery provider near you, just click here to use our simple quote tool, and get a tailored quote from a clinic you can trust.
Surgeons
Focus Clinics Reviews
Bette Boyden
On entering the clinic for the first time one is filled with a sense of confidence in its professionalism. The staff are without exception highly competent and welcoming and do their best to make one feel relaxed. Bette Boyden
Margaret Sceats
I read the article in the Daily Mail explaining about this new procedure for correcting the deterioration in eyesight resulting from ageing and was intruiged to know more. I went along to the clinic in Devonshire Place, London where an extremely thorough analysis was done to determine whether the treatment was appropriate for me. As I have a muscle imbalance in my eyes there was some doubt, so I was offered the opportunity to simulate the effect of the operation by wearing contact lenses for a few days to see what it would be like. It was a great improvement, so having read all the literature provided very carefully and weighing up the risks and costs I went ahead in May. I had both eyes treated simultaneously and was delighted to find the procedure completely painless and in fact quite comfortable. About an hour later some discomfort kicked in - my eyes felt rather scratchy and tired and this lasted for a couple of days. I noticed a huge improvement in my sight very quickly, but after a couple of months during a check up, Mr Allamby suggested we do some top up treatment to enhance the results even further. I now enjoy perfect vision and am absolutely thrilled with the results. Every visit to the clinic has been a pleasure and the standard of care, support and professionalism provided could not have been better.
Isobel Bradley
When I read an article in the Daily Mail in January 2003 headed 'Radio Wave Cure does Away with Reading Glasses' I decided this was the treatment for me. I have been wearing reading glasses now for a few years and had got really fed up with putting my glasses on and off to check prices, sell by dates, read the paper etc. Having had my precheck for suitability I had Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) carried out on 2 May 2003 by Dr Allamby at the London Vision Clinic at 8 Devonshire Place, London. Having met with Dr Allamby I was confident I was doing the right thing despite well-meaning relatives trying to put me off. Dr Allamby has a calm manner and exudes confidence in his procedure with safety being paramount The actual procedure took no more than 5 minutes and was completely pain free and that evening felt as if I had had some particularly nasty shampoo in my eye. I was able to shop at M&S and prepare our evening meal. When I woke up on Saturday morning I could read the newspaper (small print also) perfectly well without my glasses. My eye felt as though there was a slight film over it - again absolutely no pain or discomfort. I love the freedom of not having to worry about whether I have my glasses with me and one colleague actually said I looked younger! I would have no hesitation in recommending Dr Allamby and his clinic to anyone for CK and if you wish to chat to me personally please ask the clinic to let you have my telephone number.
Rosey McKenzie
Don't be put off by the fact that there are few comments on this site. I am a veterinary surgeon and have had bilateral LASEK performed by Mr.Allamby and am delighted with the results. I had one eye done at a time, being a cautious soul! I am just recovering from the second eye operation which I had done 8 days ago and have 20/15 vision overall! (The vision takes some time to settle down after this operation). I did my research well and attended 2 clinics to investigate their treatment approach, criteria, style etc., and feel very happy with the choice that I made. The initial consultation with him lasted over an hour, and he answered all my questions thoroughly. I am positive that he has patient safety as his number one priority...this was my main concern also. He recommended LASEK as the safest option for me as I do a lot of sports, whereas at the other clinic I was not offered any choice...they wanted to do LASIK regardless of my lifestyle and the risks of future damage to the 'flap'. The procedure itself is painless and slighlty psychadelic! I was uncomfortable for 3 days afterwards, but could carry on as normal-go out running, watch TV etc. I had no problems sleeping at all. My eyesight was -4.00 in the right eye and -3.75 in the left, and now I am virtually zero. I am happy to be asked about the procedure or Mr.Allamby and I spoke to a recent patient myself before taking the plunge. I would recommend this to others contemplating LASEK. My e mail is mckenzie.kemsley@virgin.net . I still cannot believe that there are no lenses in my eyes as the eyesight is FANTASTIC!!! it is like a miracle-I can see perfectly after 20 years of glasses/contact lenses. Many thanks to Mr.Allamby at Visualase in Bolton, which is where the operation is done.
