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
Charlotte Haldane
A friend at work convinced me to look into having the operation to correct my short sightedness. He recommended Moorfields but the cost was way in excess of what I paid as was the waiting time for an appointment. Having read the article on Focus Laser Vision in the Telegraph I decided to go for a consultation and an hour and a half later was under no doubt that I would definitely benefit from the operation. The consultation left me sufficiently confident that my nerves on the day were minimal. Dr. Mearza has an unbelievably reassuring manner and whilst it is rather alien to have someone take control of your eyes, the pain/ discomfort was purely psycological. Within 15 minutes it was all over and an hour later I was in a cab on my way home. Within hours my vision was perfect and 10 days on I can see a huge improvement from the side effects (mainly feeling tired and having slightly scratchy eyes). There is no doubt that life will be totally different from here on. I went for a run yesterday and found my balance greatly improved and it was lovely being able to see people on the other side of the room at a wedding the other day. Previously I came accross as arrogant / stand-offish purely due to the fact I couldn't see or recognise people until they were under my nose. If only I could have had this operation when I was at school, I might not have been the last person picked for team sports and I might have been able to catch the ball. My advice would be - don't deliberate!
Sandra Cook
If you want the very best - choose FOCUS Laser Vision. From my very first phone call to the clinic, I immediately felt confident enough to go ahead with surgery and throughout the entire process, I maintained that confidence in this marvellous company. The initial consultation is very professional and thorough. Everything is clearly explained step by step. All the members of staff are polite, friendly, helpful and welcoming.... a pleasure to visit. Dr David Allenby is amazing, an absolute genius and delightful to speak with. He is totally professional, yet easy to talk to and immediately made me feel at ease. He performed my surgery and I truely think he is the best in the Country. Choose FOCUS Laser Vision.... honestly you wont regret it.
Sheryl-Kay Patel
FOCUS is definitely a place that I recommend to have laser eye surgery. As a medical student with an interest in ophthalmology I wanted to ensure that I was completely happy with the place chosen, the staff were extremely friendly and provided me with adequate details that made me confident in my decision to carry through with the treatment. I was happy and felt more secure that there were lots of tests to ensure that the surgeon and the staff was provided with the maximum amount of information regarding my eye to carry out the procedure. The aftercare was amazing, with clear instructions of what to expect afterwards and how to use the drops provided, and prophylactic antibiotics were reassuring also. The staff at FOCUS were extremely reassuring and friendly. It has had a huge impact on my life, and even to some extend is beneficial to my migraines. It is definitely a place that I am recommending to anybody I know who is considering laser eye surgery. Thanks you all for everything and creating a pleasant experience. :)
B Patel
Outstanding customer service, evrything was explained cleraarly during all the processes. After care s very good. I have recommended the clininc to many of my friends and collegues who are thing of having the treatment done.
Rowena
It is now six weeks since I had my Blended Vision surgery at the Focus Clinic, Wimpole Street, undertaken by Mr Ali Mearza. At my one week check-up I had better than 20/20 vision. Both reading and distance vision is great. I did a lot of research into which Clinic I should go to before I settled on Focus. The first person I had contact with via email was Paula, she answered all my questions (of which there were many!) with complete honesty and objectivity and without any ‘hard sell’. I finally decided if nothing else, to attend the consultation at which time they undertook a complete medical history and thorough eye examination in order to assess my options – as I was interested in the Blended Vision (one eye for short and one eye for long distance), the ability to show me what the treatment would do for me, using contact lenses to replicate my vision post-surgery was invaluable. Having Laser surgery on my eyes terrified me, but I was determined to proceed as I now knew how good my vision could be, without glasses. On the day of the surgery I met with Mr Mearza; he was very patient and reassuring and talking to him before surgery helped me to relax. The surgery itself lasted approx 10 mins and apart from slight discomfort of having the eye clamped, it was painless – my biggest problem was having to use eye drops after surgery! The improvement to my close-up vision was evident before I had even left the building, with the distance vision taking a little longer to clear. I can truly say it was the best decision I have ever made, I have no regrets, and couldn’t be happier! I would recommend anyone considering Laser surgery, to go to Focus. A big thank you to all at Focus, their kindness and professionalism was outstanding.
julie Smickler
I had my laser eye surgery two weeks ago and my vision is better then 20/20. this is by far the best thing that i have ever done and would recommend the Focus clinic to everyone. i have never been so nervous then on the day of my surgery but the set up at Focus is so amazing that i soon felt at ease. The staff actually care and really look after you and the surgeon Mr. Mearza was amazing. The follow up procedure is unbelievable and you feel that they are there for you no matter what. i felt discomfort for a few hours after the surgery but i went home slept and when i woke up was back to normal. The results are amazing and as said before i would highly recommend Focus for your eye surgery.
Paul Mortlock
I had laser eye surgery carried out at FOCUS Laser Vision two days ago and am already back at work. I am thrilled to bits with the results. Yesterday morning I looked out the window and could see number plates on cars 200 metres away – I couldn’t believe it. I now have better than 20:20 vision. Dr Ali Mearza carried out my treatment and I thought he was extremely professional when I met him, and he filled me with confidence. For your info, I am 32 years old and my prescription was -5.25 in the left eye and -4.75 in the right eye. I decided to bite the bullet and go for laser eye surgery having messed around with contact lenses, glasses and prescription glasses ever since my mid teens. I spoke to a number of friends and colleagues who had had the treatment as nothing beats about people’s personal experiences. I decided that the technology was now so good and so low risk that I would do some research on who were the best clinics. This site was one of the best for customer feedback and after speaking to friends I went for two consultations: at Ultralase; and FOCUS Laser Vision. The things that attracted me to FOCUS were as follows: - great customer reviews on all the web blogs including this one - there are only two surgeons, both vastly experienced, so you know who you are getting - flexible payment plan (I am paying for mine in 12 monthly instalments, interest free) - lifetime treatment guarantee (i.e. if you eyes deteriorate at any time in the future, they will carry out the treatment again for free). I think only Ultralase also offers this service. - price - not nearly as expensive as Ultralase (supposed market leader), plus they were offering a £300 off voucher for March 2010 when I was planning on having my treatment. If you are thinking of having laser eye surgery, stop dithering and get yourself along to FOCUS for a consultation and see for yourself! You will not regret it.
elisabetta.ognibene
I had my treatment in January 2010 and I can see as far as an eagle! Everyone should go for eye surgery at FOCUS LASER VISION. Staff is very professional from the receptionist to the surgeon. The treatment takes only 10mn per eye and it is not painful at all. Your sight is a bit blury and fluctuates for a couple of hours but then everything is back to normal. It is a super quick recovery. In one week time you can go back doing most of your daily activities. Focus Laser Vision is cheaper than the other clienics but the Service is amazing. If you don't like wearing glasses, go for it!
Carl Robson
Had prescriptions of -7 & -7.5 with astigmatism and have ended up with better than 20/20 vision. Huge thanks to everyone at Focus Laser vision including surgeon Ali Mearza & all the customer service staff as the results have been brilliant. A truly professional team.
Sanna
That was the best thing I have done for a while, how amazing. My eyesight was both eyes -9.25 so I really was blind as a bat. I have been thinking to do this treatment for 20 years and I finally got it done. It's amazing what that short time under lazer did for me, about two hours slight irritation on eyes and that was it. As you can see that payment was quite a bit but I still think that it was worth of every penny and also that some of that money goes to charity made me feel a good too..
