Since the London Vision Clinic opened its doors in 2002, it has sought to provide the highest possible standard of clinical and patient care in the field of laser eye surgery.
As you would expect from a Harley Street address, the London Vision Clinic offers advanced laser technology, extensive eye assessments, and a range of treatments, even for very high prescriptions.
What makes the London Vision Clinic different? It provides an expert, personalised service for every patient, including one of the most rigorous and detailed screening processes anywhere in the world.
Is there anything to look out for? The London Vision Clinic is one of the most expensive centres for vision correction in the UK – with LASIK eye surgery prices starting at £2,600, you may end up paying double what you would pay elsewhere.
Based on independent reports from the CQC, objective research, and nearly 500 real customer reviews,, here is how the London Vision Clinic ranks in terms of its clinic, costs, treatments and surgeons:
| Overall Rating | Clinic Rating | Cost Rating | Surgeon Rating | Treatments Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (4.0 out of 5) | (4.4 out of 5) | (3.7 out of 5) | (4.5 out of 5) | (4.3 out of 5) |
Does the treatment justify the costs? To find out if there’s a better rated eye clinic near you, use our free tool here. Or, read on to dig deeper into:
- London Vision Clinic Review
- Treatments Offered
- Prices
- London Vision Clinic Surgeons
- The Verdict
- Surgeon Reviews
- 472 Patient Reviews
1. London Vision Clinic Review
(4.0 out of 5)
“I should not have waited so long. The experience of the London Vision Clinic has almost been a pleasure!” – Andrew E.
Based on the hundreds of reviews previous patients have left on our site since 2002, the London Vision Clinic really seems to be providing a five-star laser eye surgery service.
Customers particularly appreciate the professionalism of the staff, as well as the honesty the surgeons show in initial consultations. If surgery is not right for you, you can rely on the London Vision Clinic to tell you straight. Those who opted for ophthalmic correction with the London Vision Clinic did not regret it.
However, you will also be paying a premium with the company’s services. Laser eye surgery costs well above average, and it’s simply not truthful to claim that if you’re not paying top dollar for a Harley Street clinic, you’re not taking your vision seriously. Eye surgery procedures such as LASIK and LASEK are considered low risk, and there are plenty of well-reviewed alternatives that charge much less.
Pros: Specialists in laser eye surgery, reliable assessments, fixed prices, 0% finance options, highly experienced surgeons, comprehensive eye assessments, treatments for high prescriptions
Cons: Extremely high costs (around double competitors)
☝ Compare clinics: See if there are any other top-rated clinics near you, and use our simple tool to receive a personalised quote – as well as free eye tests worth £800!
2. London Vision Clinic Treatments
(4.3 out of 5)
“I had zero discomfort, and an almost immediate return to normal life. Best thing I have ever done – hands down!” – Jakob Aungiers
The London Vision Clinic specialises in laser eye surgery, and 96% of its customers choose either ReLEx SMILE or LASIK surgery. That said, lens replacement surgery (including cataract surgery) is available on a personalised plan.
Here are the main procedures offered by the London Vision Clinic:
- ReLEx SMILE / LASIK: A minimally invasive laser eye treatment
- Laser Blended Vision: Laser eye surgery to treat the need for reading glasses
- PRK / LASEK: Eye surgery for those who are not suitable for LASIK
- Permanent lens implants: An alternative treatment to Laser Blended Vision, if you have a very high prescription
- Surgery for astigmatism: Laser surgery to correct the shape of your eye
- Cataract surgery: Treatment for cloudy lenses
This is a wider range of treatment than in many eye clinics, and the laser eye surgery plans on offer are all tailored to each individual eye.
3. London Vision Clinic Costs
(3.7 out of 5)
Laser eye surgery at the London Vision Clinic costs between £2,600 and £3,250 (per eye), depending on your prescription, and whether you choose the standard or high profile treatment. These prices are head and shoulders above rivals, with £1,789 the average cost of LASIK and LASEK treatments in the UK.
| Treatment | Cost (both eyes) | Finance Plans |
|---|---|---|
| Standard ReLEx SMILE, LASIK, PRK / LASEK | £5,200 | £392 / month (12 months, 0% APR) or £196 / month (24 months, 0% APR) |
| High profile ReLEx SMILE, LASIK, PRK / LASEK | £6,500 | £500 / month (12 months, 0% APR) or £250 / month (24 months, 0% APR) |
Though expensive, the London Vision Clinic’s prices are refreshingly transparent. Consultation is also free, as it is at most other clinics. Sadly, prices for lens replacement surgery (including cataract surgery) aren’t publically available, so you can expect some sweet-talking sales calls to find out what this process will cost you.
So, is it worth paying these prices? How much you are willing to spend will of course be up to you, but given the general safety of laser eye surgery as a procedure (95% of eye surgeries are complication free, according to the RCOphth), you shouldn’t feel pressured into paying through the nose.
What if I can’t afford it? You have two options – pay between £196 and £250 a month over two years interest free on the London Vision Clinic’s finance plan, or select a well-reviewed high street clinic such as Optical Express or Ultralase.
4. Surgeons
(4.5 out of 5)
“Having worn glasses since the age of 8, my life has now changed completely. As I travel frequently, life has become much easier without glasses, prescription sunglasses, and contact lenses. I can’t thank Prof Reinstein and all the staff enough.” – Susanne S.
The London Vision Clinic prides itself on its internationally renowned optometrists, Professor Dan Reinstein and Mr Glenn Carp.
Professor Reinstein is an expert in laser eye surgery, having devoted his life to this practice, while Mr Carp has won awards for clinical research. Both surgeons receive solid five-star ratings on our site.
The clinic strives to remain at the forefront of technological developments. Professor Reinstein even helped to develop the Artemis™, which claims the title of the world’s most accurate corneal scanner.
The clinic is also home to a number of specialists, including Mr Alastair Stuart, who is a member of the General Medical Council and fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
5. The Verdict
(4.0 out of 5)
The London Vision Clinic is the go-to for patients with complicated or unusually high prescriptions, including many people who have been turned away by other clinics. It uses pioneering techniques, such as ReLEx – an innovative ‘flap-less’ treatment for short-sightedness – and Laser Blended Vision, a revolutionary new treatment which can liberate you from reading glasses for a number of years.
But for anyone who is looking for safe and effective laser eye surgery that won’t break the bank, the London Vision Clinic is probably not your best bet.
The main benefits of the London Vision Clinic are:
- Its surgeons have the most extensive experience of treating presbyopia by laser eye surgery in the world.
- Its advanced technology is able to safely treat far higher prescriptions than other clinics.
- It has a very large staff to patient ratio, so you can expect a highly personal service.
- It has world-renowned surgeons, with particular experience in complication management.
- You are in safe hands, with a stellar safety record, and the highest level of pre-operative and post-operative testing in the UK.
However, you can find negative reviews on the London Vision Clinic due to its high costs. These uncompetitive prices are what knock it off the top spot of the best laser eye surgery clinics in the UK, which you can read here.
That said, with a reputation for providing excellent attention from staff, the London Vision Clinic still comes in at number 5 in our list of the best laser eye surgery clinics in London.
To see how other eye laser surgery clinics compare with the London Vision Clinic, just click here to use our simple quote tool, and receive a tailored quote from trusted clinics near you.
6. Compare Clinics
So, is the London Vision Clinic right for you? The only way to find out is to see if you’re eligible for 20/20 vision or your money back, and to get a tailored quote. That’s why we make it easy to pop in for a free consultation, have free eye tests (worth £800), and talk through your options with an eye expert.
Next steps: Our simple tool helps thousands of readers a day get closer to going glasses free:
- Find the top clinic in seconds: Answer three questions to be matched to the leading eye clinic in your area
- Check you’re eligible in minutes: Receive a quick call to check you are eligible for surgery (we don’t share your number with anyone else)
- Book a free consultation: Talk to an expert at a clinic you can trust to arrange a free eye test and a personalised quote (with no obligation)
☛ Click here to find the best clinic near you, and receive your very own tailored quote.
7. Surgeon Reviews
8. London Vision Clinic Reviews
Jakob Aungiers
Incredible life change handled by the best in the world! I initially went for consultations from the more low-cost “highstreet” style laser eye correction clinics and did not get a very good vibe. Having almost given up on having the surgery done I went to London Vision Clinic and immediately got a fantastic impression. Now, 3 months post surgery my eyes are perfect! And having the latest SMILE procedure meant I had zero discomfort and an almost immediate return to normal life! Best thing I have ever done. Hands down!
Sophie H
Experience was seamless from initial consultation, all the way through surgery to the aftercare. I was put at ease and surgery only caused minor discomfort + inconvenience. I had perfect vision within days.
Dr. Lee J
I have always been very short sighted but more recently was also having trouble reading. The results have been amazing and it is just fantastic being free of lenses and glasses. The care at the London Vision Clinic is excellent, both before and after surgery and the procedure itself just no big deal. I am very pleased with the results
Quin S.
The eye surgery at the London Vision Clinic is nothing short of miraculous. No longer do I have to reach formy glasses, squint to see things close-up, wonder what is in the background. I can now see with confidence. I like to call it 'splendid vision'.
Anum S.
It feels wonderful to open my eyes in the morning and be able to see everything clearly. The procedure was painless and the quality of after care is excellent. I'm glad I made the choice to get my laser eye surgery done.
Mary C.
It is absolutely amazing to sit up after the procedure and be able to see around the room without reaching for my glasses. Really supportive staff at The London Vision who talk through each step. I am really looking forward to taking my exercise regime forward without having to wear glasses or contact lenses.
Peter Clark
The surgery is VERY simple (well, from the patient’s point of view - probably somewhat more complicated for the surgeon!). You really feel nothing on the eyes, but the visuals you get are very weird and can be a bit worrying. Thankfully, they explain exactly what they are doing at every stage of the surgery, so you never had the worry of "is it meant to do that". The first stage is making the flap in the surface of your eyes. They paralyse your eyes using eye drops so you feel nothing, and then lock your eyelids open with one of the eyelid stretching things. There is a light feeling of pressure on your eye, but not actually from your eye. Your vision then turns milky white from the bottom moving upwards. At this point your vision is very milky and fuzzy. This entire stage takes about 4-5 mins, with the laser being about 1 minute in total! The second stage has you looking at a green light, which when they fold your flap back turns into a giant green fuzz-ball. Just try and keep it so your entire vision is green. The second laser then comes on and you can smell burnt hair, which is not a happy smell when you realised that your eye is being vaporised! Finally your flaps are put down and your eyes are checked over by the surgeon, and you are sent home. About 20 mins in total! It's very exciting when you sit up and can read the clock on the far wall! For the first 3 hours you have to have your eyes closed, but stay awake. Have a friend about to talk to as otherwise it could be VERY dull! You also have to put in eye drops regularly (for me it was about every 5 minutes, for some it’s every 15 minutes). Your eyes tell you when you need more as they start to feel very dry. After that, you get to look around. Your vision will still be slightly fuzzy, and you will have bad haloing and star bursts which are most noticeable at night. Don’t worry - these all slowly fix themselves over the next month. The day after my surgery, my Dad drove me to the clinic for my next-day check up and I was reading the road signs with no problems! Every day you notice your vision is better and better! My eyes itched like crazy for the first hour, and then had a slightly dull ache for a few hours. You get various eye drops to take, which includes an anaesthetic. At night, you get to tape plastic shields to your head to stop you from rubbing your eyes in your sleep. The tape is VERY sticky, so remember to use the wipes provided to remove the goo. The day of surgery, I could see enough to walk around outside. When I woke up the next morning, I could see well enough to watch TV from my bed but not well enough to read small text like a newspaper. By the time I got to the clinic for my follow-up I could read the smallest text on the reading card, and could read 20/25 sized text on the board with no problem. The next day, I was using my computer and by the third day, I was able to do pretty much everything I could before. I’ve just had my 1 month check-up and my vision is 20/16 in each eye and a combined result of 20/12 (top 1% of people!) so I am incredibly happy! I still get some start-bursts at night and light haloing, but these have gone down a lot in the few weeks, and will continue to disappear as my eyes completely heal. There are some strange things you don't expect. For example, everything is slightly bigger. Colours are more vivid. I can now see my nose as a shadow in each eye! I have peripheral vision again. Every time you get out of the shower you have a slight moment of panic when you can't find your glasses. You get used to them all in the end! What I have told people is that you would have to be insane to even consider having eye surgery. It's also the single best thing I have ever done, and I can't recommend it enough! Those two statements are both true, and when you are happy to live with that you are probably good to go and have it done!
Jan S
Truly amazing result with no pain and absolutely minimal discomfort. Prior to surgery I could not see my own features in the bathroom mirror. Now I can see everything. Having been turned down for laser previously I was amazed at the care I received. Thoroughly recommended.
Caroline P
The treatment was really quick and I was informed every step of the way. I feel like I have been given another chance to see without glasses. I feel free and not hidden by glasses. The London Vision Clinic have been fantastic and Glenn Carp is wonderful and caring, Thank you
Jude S
I was near-sighted since age 11 and hated wearing glasses. In my 40’s I began to suffer from presbyopia. I had blended vision treatment and it has been fabulous. I cannot fault a single thing about the clinic. The BEST!
Janet F
I was anxious before surgery, the staff put me at ease, the head and shoulder massage was unexpected surprise and helped me relax. Glen Carp explained everything clearly before the treatment and explained everything he was doing during the surgery. I felt very comfortable being informed. Excellent treatment!
