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
Sue Rumbul
I'm absolutely delighted with the outcome of my surgery. I was -8.00 in both eyes and one month post surgery I'm now better than 20/20 vision. I would recommend Focus Laser Vision and David Allamby to anybody (and have been!).
Jo Chipchase
From the moment I picked up the phone to make an enquiry to my recent 5 week check up, the service provided by Focus has been first class. The staff were extremely helpful as I was particularly nervous and prone to fainting. I even had a member of staff hold my hand throughout the quick 9 minute treatment and I felt completely comfortable and it was so fast. There was only a slight bit of pressure and the procedure was explained to me throughout and David Allamby was so quick and pleasant and made me feel at ease. I would recommend them to anyone and the after care has been superb, I have been so pleased with the results and felt that after doing lots of research after care is very important and having the procedure explained properly is paramount.
Steve Burge
I cannot speak highly enough about my experience with Focus Laser Vision. From my initial consultation right through to my day of surgery (3 June), I was given fantastic advice with no 'sales' pressure whatsoever. At my consultation I was offered contact lens of varying prescriptions to 'trial' a simulation of the blended vision option but I elected to go for Z-Lasik treatment to both eyes to cure my shortsightness. Again this was my decision and there was no attempt to make me think again about the slightly more expensive blended vision surgery. I chose David Allamby as my surgeon but in truth Ali Mearza who had operated on a number of people the day before (2 June) was given glowing reports from those people who were back for their 'day after' check-ips. David is an immensely likeable man who talks you through the procedure in full and really puts you at ease. His 'laser' team were all extremely friendly as you enter the Laser Room and David continues to talk you through things as the procedure gets underway. It is literally over before you know it and there was no pain either during or after. My vision was slightly blurred when I sat up but was clear enough for me to be able to read the clock on the wall. Ten minutes later I left the clinic and was amazed that from the front door I could clearly read the small print of a sign on a van parked outside the clinic. By 6pm that day, and just as David had suggested, my vision was crystal clear. I've been for my 'day after' check-up today; everything is great and I can resume driving. To anyone who is thinking of having corrective surgery, you really should contact Focus Vision for a truly first class service.
trev bushell
great service, really helpful staff. professional. amazing results immediately! like a miracle!
Daryl Lee
I had my treatment on 25/06/09 with Dr David Allamby and I cannot recommend FOCUS highly enough. I attended 4 consultations before deciding to go ahead with FOCUS. My initial consultation with FOCUS was carried out by Connie who answered all my questions and concerns competently. There was no hard-sell from FOCUS at all. On treatment day Dr Allamby carried out a thorough examination and noted that my right eye seemed to prefer slightly higher prescription and he also suggested to create a slightly smaller diameter flap to avoid the bruising/blood shot eyes after the surgery. He seemed to read my mind as I was about to ask him this very same question after I witnessed one of my friend who had LASIK treatment (not with FOCUS) suffered from it for almost 6 weeks! My eye sight has been excellent since the surgery with 20/16 vision. There is no bruising, discomfort at all. I had attended 2 post-op/aftercare and the service I received is second to none. I have created a blog documenting my experience at http://daryl-lasik-diary.blogspot.com/ If you’re considering Laser Eye Treatment, you should really give FOCUS a call!
Neil Thompstone
I am delighted from start to finish with my service and procedure from Focus Laser Vision, I would recommend them to anyone. It was a perfect experience and the after care has been first class!
helen suffell
This year I am 59 ,I have been wearing glasses or contact lens for 55 years. I can now see without either - it is a miracle. From my first consultation to being discharged - I was delighted with the professional way I was treated - the consideration I was given Above all I cant thank my surgeon enough for the expert treatment he gave me. No pain, no discomfort within 6 hours I could see really well I was and am amazed by the whole experience. The follow up care from Plymouth, Torquay and Bristol. As you can read I cannot speak highly enough of all the people I came in contact with. But most of all, my new eyes which have made my life so much earlier, I can now run and see well, I can swim without worrying about my contact lens, I can snorgle and can see everything. Thank you so much Optical express for changing my life
Hazel Lawley
I would highly recommend Focus laser vision to anyone thinking about having eye laser surgery. Although they were not the nearest clinic to me (I’m in Warwickshire) I felt that their professional care and standards justified the distance travelled. I was -5.25 in both eyes and after surgery obtained 20/12 vision with no problems a year post surgery Before approaching Focus I had, had a few other consultations with other clinics, Focus was the only clinic to ask for an in-depth medical history (not just eyes) and were only the second clinic out of 5 others to pick up that I had got thin corneas. It was this level of thoroughness that lead me to pick Focus. From the first consultation to my last check up (a year after surgery) the staff have been friendly and professional throughout. At my first consultation I was given all the information I needed to help me make an informed choice without any sales pressure. Once I had made my appointment for surgery I received detailed information from the clinic about what to expect before, during and after the surgery and a comprehensive activity schedule listing what I could and could not do post surgery. The surgery itself was quick & painless my surgeon Mr Ali Mearza was excellent he talked me through the whole procedure and made me feel at ease. On leaving the clinic after surgery I was reassured to be given my surgeons telephone number to call if I had any concerns. At all of my post surgery check ups I received the same professional care standards, as I received during my first consultation and eye surgery. Each time I arrived for an appointment the receptionist remembered my name, on all of my post surgery checkups, I saw the same staff member to ensure continuity of care. They all remembered me and during the last year we built up a friendly rapport. As mentioned earlier I’ am now 1 year post surgery and have never received any problems whatsoever, I believe this is down to the high standards set by this clinic and I would recommend anyone considering laser surgery to go along and have a consultation with them, so you can see for yourself, the friendly, professional manner at this clinic Thanks to everyone at Focus
jackie evans
The service at Focus Laser Vision is second to none, expecially Paula, who without her help and safe hands, I wouldn't be typing this without my glasses and watching the telly with no problems whatsoever. The surgery was a daunting process but the determination I felt that I could do this and the faith I had in the surgeon, proves that taking a risk can be worth it. The surgery staff where brillant and I just cant express my gratitude to them enough. I know that price can have a deciding factor but with the presentation, personnel and the skill that Focus Laser Vision have, I wouldnt hesitate in recommending them. You really need to check them out. So concentrate on today, yesterday has gone you cannot change it, tommorrow is just a few hours away, so take your vision in your hands and change it. Dont hesitate, the only regret is that I shoulld have had it done when I was 21 and now 38!!!!!!!
Swale Smith
Having undergone Z-lasik yesterday, I'm already thrilled with the results I have better than 20/20 vision, my vision is miles clearer then with contact lenses and a massive improvement over glasses, it' like my eyes have been upgraded to full HD! All the staff were very helpful and professional my surgeon Mr. Mearza is clearly very skilled at what he does there is an air of confidence which certainly helps the nerves, I felt very little discomfort whilst having the procedure you hardly see or feel a thing. I had some discomfort on the day of surgery this was made easier with the anaesthetic eye drops and a few hours sleep seemed to be the best cure, still slightly gritty the day after but hardly anything to bother over a few painkillers solve this, I can assure you it is well worth a little discomfort for the end result, to give an idea I would compare the discomfort with having a bad set of contact lenses in. Overall I am very pleased with the results and highly recommend anyone with glasses to go through with it. p.s I like many others I would imagine, whilst considering lasik couldn't help myself and had to view the you-tube videos of the procedure, and I can honestly say hand on heart the actual procedure is not even a fraction as bad as it looks on the videos. Once again thank you to Mr. Ali Mearza and all the staff at Focus Vision Clinic. Kind Regards Swale Smith
