Review of Moorfields Eye Surgery
Moorfields Eye Hospital enjoys a global reputation for providing world-class laser eye surgery.
Moorfields Private is the private arm of the renowned Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and offers ophthalmic care to patients seeking a vast range of treatments for both common and complex eye health conditions.
Today, Moorfields has a number of clinics around London – located in the City, the West End, Bedford and Croydon – and treats around 400,000 outpatients and 30,000 inpatients each year.
☀ Pros: World-class reputation, highly experienced eye surgeons, central London locations, advanced technology
☂ Cons: No fixed prices (fixed by the surgeons), no monthly payment options, no free consultation
☝ Compare clinics: See if there are any other top-rated clinics near you, and use our simple tool to receive a personalised quote.
Our no-nonsense review of Moorfields Private and Moorfields NHS Eye Hospital covers:
- Moorfields Private Eye Hospital
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Moorfields laser eye surgery cost
- What laser eye surgeries are offered?
- Moorfields’ best consultants
- Moorfields laser eye surgery reviews
- The Verdict
1. Moorfields Private Eye Hospital
For patients who fail to meet NHS requirements, or for those looking for treatments left off NHS checklists (such as refractive surgery for the average glasses-wearer), Moorfields Private is a viable option.
Private laser eye treatments at Moorfields include the most common surgeries such as PRK, LASEK and LASIK, as well as specialist procedures for more complex conditions. Private patients also benefit from Wavefront guided surgeries, which tend to have higher success rates due to greater laser accuracy.
In addition to providing high quality treatment and aftercare, many patients like to know that the profits from Moorfields Private are used to fund the Moorfields Eye Charity, Friends of Moorfields, which supports critical new research and quality eye care for children and adults.
2. Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
If you happen to suffer from a select range of debilitating eye conditions that cannot be treated by contact lenses or glasses (such as cataracts or glaucoma), you may be one of the few people who qualify for laser eye surgery on the NHS.
Moorfields’ NHS Eye Hospital is there for these patients, but for the vast majority of us, Moorfields Private has its door open.
3. Moorfields Laser Eye Surgery Cost
While NHS treatment is free, at Moorfields Private prices will apply to all consultations and surgeries.
Laser eye surgery costs at Moorfields start at £2,000 per eye for common laser eye surgery such as LASIK or LASEK. These prices rise to between £3,000 and £4,000 per eye for more complex procedures including cataract surgery.
An initial consultation at Moorfields is around £150, and the private prices will depend on the eye surgeon you choose. That’s because the laser eye consultants are employed by Moorfields, and set their own fees.
Consultation costs
- Consultation: £150 – £200
Patients considering laser eye surgery usually book one to two consultations prior to receiving treatment. You can book your first appointment on the Moorfields Private website.
Treatment costs (per eye)
- LASIK or LASEK eye surgery: £2,000 – £2,500
- Refractive lens exchange (RLE) or cataract surgery: £3,000 – £4,000
- ICL implantation surgery: £3,000 – £4,000
Other costs
In addition to these costs, you may also need to consider covering your potential stay in the hospital for private treatment. Moorfields Private hospital fees tend to range from £900 to £1800, depending on the procedure.
However, recovery times vary, and many eye treatments allow you to leave following the surgery. Naturally, there are no hospital fees for NHS patients.
Other options?
Moorfields Private Hospital offers some of the latest laser and implantable contact lens treatments performed by world-class consultant eye specialists, and these prices reflect the clinic’s high standards.
However, if these costs are outside your budget, or you would like to compare them with other leading laser eye surgery clinics in the UK, click here to fill in a few details, and talk directly to a trusted clinic to compare their quotes and services.
To see how other eye laser surgery clinics compare with Moorfields Private, just click here to use our simple quote tool, and receive a tailored quote from any trusted clinics near you.
Paying for treatment
Opting for laser eye surgery is a financial commitment for most people, and Moorfields offers three ways of paying for your treatment:
- Private Medical Insurance – If you are covered by private healthcare, Moorfields asks that you try to verify these details before your first appointment, and obtain your pre-authorisation number.
- Self pay – Many patients pay for their own treatment, with no private insurance needed.
- Third party sponsorship – If a third party (such as your employer) has agreed to settled your account, make sure you acquire a letter of guarantee along with a deposit.
Read more: Laser eye surgery costs explained
4. Laser Eye Surgery Treatments
Moorfields Private Eye Hospital provides over 100 vision correction treatments for adults and children of all ages.
Here are some of the most requested types of laser eye surgery treatments:
- LASIK: The most common treatment to correct eye conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
- LASEK: A surface laser treatment that is suitable for patients with thinner corneas (eye surfaces).
- Cataract surgery: A refractive lens exchange (RLE), which is an option for those in the “reading glasses” age group.
- ICL surgery: Implants that work like permanent contact lenses are common for younger people, or patients with medical dry eye conditions.
Moorfields Private Hospital usually performs laser sight correction surgery to both eyes on the same day, but with cataract surgery and ICL implantation, most surgeons prefer to leave a week between operating on each eye for their patients’ comfort.
5. Moorfields’ Top Surgeons
Moorfields Private and Moorfields Eye Hospital claim their ophthalmic surgeons and consultants are some of the best in Britain, and six Moorfields Private surgeons were recently named in the Daily Mail’s top doctors list.
Within the industry, Moorfields is also the go-to for ophthalmic expertise: a recent Moorfields report shows that over half of all registered ophthalmic surgeons in the UK received their training there. Not surprisingly, many Moorfields consultants also completed their training onsite.
Plus, based on hundreds of unfiltered reviews from former patients, Moorfields hosts some of the top-rated laser eye surgeons in the UK.
Here are the five best consultants at Moorfields, as voted by you:
- Mr David Gartry: As one of the first surgeons worldwide to perform laser eye surgery, they don’t come more experienced than Mr Gartry.
- Mr Julian Stevens: Mr Stevens is an advisor to the British Society for Refractive Surgery, and is recognised globally as an expert opinion leader in laser eye surgery.
- Mr Bruce Allan: Mr Allan had been the Service Director for Refractive Surgery at Moorfields since 2012.
- Ms Valerie Saw: Ms Saw’s interests lie in inflammation and scarring of the eye, and she regularly treats patients for dry eyes and conjunctivitis.
- Mr Alexander C. W. Ionides: Since 1989, Mr Ionides has specialised in cataract and refractive lens surgery for both long and short sighted conditions.
Read more: Laser Eye Surgeon reviews
6. Independent reviews of Moorfields Private Eye Hospital
Moorfields consistently receive fantastic customer reviews, making them one of the highest rated laser eye providers in the UK. Click here to read their customer reviews below.
Moorfields Eye Hospital Private Clinic is also featured as one of Lasik Eye’s best laser eye surgery clinics in the UK, as well as shining in our list of the best laser eye surgery in London for partnering with some of the most renowned surgeons.
What makes Moorfields Eye Hospital so popular?
- History – Moorfields Eye Hospital first opened in London in 1805, and is now one of the oldest and best reviewed eye hospitals in the world.
- Ophthalmic Research – Moorfields has spent over 200 years researching and providing the latest laser eye surgery and implantable contact lens treatments, in partnership with the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.
- Cutting-edge technology – Moorfields Private is a flagship location for laser and implant manufacturers. Its surgeons are therefore able to choose from the latest state-of-the-art laser eye equipment and non-invasive techniques like Intralase technology.
- Patient care – The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rates Moorfields Eye Hospital as ‘outstanding’ for care in their latest inspection report.
But is Moorfields Eye Hospital right for you?
Not everyone is best suited to Moorfields: as you would expect, world-class laser eye surgery often comes with an eye-watering price tag.
- Expensive treatments – Although patients tend to leave rave reviews, LASEK eye surgery costs on average £2,235 per eye at Moorfields Private, but between £595 and £1,595 per eye at other leading high street eye clinics such as Optical Express.
- No free consultations – Moorfields Private is one of the few laser eye clinics in the UK not to offer free initial consultations: you can expect to pay between £150 and £200, depending on the surgeon you see.
Next Steps: Find the Top-Reviewed Clinic Near You
Compare Moorfields Private with the highest independently reviewed eye laser clinics near you – see if you’re eligible for 20/20 vision or your money back, and receive your very own personalised quote.
Our mission at Lasik Eyes is to make it easy to choose the right clinic for your ophthalmic treatment, pop in for a free consultation, and talk through your options with an eye expert. Here’s how:
Next steps: Our simple tool helps our readers every day get one step closer to 20/20 vision:
- Find a top clinic near you: Answer three questions to be matched with the leading eye clinic in your area
- Check you’re eligible in minutes: Receive a quick call to check you can get surgery (we will never share your number with anyone else)
- Receive a tailored quote: Talk to an expert at a clinic you can trust for a free eye test (worth £800) and personalised quote (with no obligation)
☛ Click here to find the best clinic near you, and receive a tailored quote.
Moorfields Surgeons Reviews
Mr Alexander C W Ionides
BSc FRCOphth MD.
Mr Vincenzo Maurino
Mr Bruce Allan
MD FRCS FRCOphth
Mr Stephen Tuft
Professor David S Gartry
MD, FRCS, FRCOphth, DO, BSc(Hons)
Mr Julian Stevens
MRCP, FRCS, FRCOphth,DO
Moorfields Eye Hosptial Reviews
Laura Green
I’ve Very recently had laser eye surgery with David gartry and his team, and I am overwhelmingly happy with the results. In under one week my eyesight is better than I could ever have imagined. The team were friendly and calming right from the consultation through to the surgery and after care, I would- and have been-recommending them to everyone, it is life changing!
Alice Carse
Mr Allan was great; very kind, very good at explaining the process clearly and at helping me conquer my nerves. The procedure has totally changed my life for the better and I am really very grateful.
Alice
Maria Parkhouse
Mr Bruce Allan replaced the lenses in my eyes in August 2014 and it has changed my life.
I have worn spectacles since the age of four and a half years of age. Now in my sixties. My sight changed from contracting measles at the age of four and never ever believed it would be possible for me to be either spectacle or contact lens free ever!
It took me a year to make the decision to go ahead with this procedure as I was extremely nervous about the whole thing. I only wish I had this done years ago, it’s amazing, I don’t even need reading glasses now and can read even the smallest of print. I would not have gone anywhere but Moorfields.
My brother who also has very bad eye sight is as amazed as I am and is planning to have the procedure too. I cannot recommend Bruce Allan highly enough. He is a lovely, patient, personable professional who explains everything clearly. He understood how anxious I was about the procedure and completely reassured me. The procedure was amazingly straightforward and does not hurt!!!!
No more spectacles to carry around, contact lenses or even readers, it’s just wonderful.
Riccardo
I am very grateful to Mr Alexander Ionides and the Moorfields Private clinic staff for my post surgery Lasek results. The service provided was excellent and very professional. The treatment was smooth,quick and painless and the result very satisfactory. I said farewell to my shortsight and my glasses, so delightful!
Mrs J Kaur
After much thought and research into laser eye surgery I finally decided to book a consultation at the Moorfields Private clinic with Dr Gartry’s office.
Whilst conducting my research I had become familiar with Dr Gartry as he had come up many times on google searches in relation to laser eye surgery and I was certain that I wanted to go for a consultation at his clinic.
I was quite nervous as expected because the decision to have any type of surgery let alone eye surgery is a big deal and a decision which should be taken wisely.
I booked my appointment and had my consultation. I found the consultation process very straightforward and comfortable, you are asked about your medical history and complete a number of tests in relation to the thickness of your cornea. Once this is complete you get to meet Mr Gartry. On meeting Mr Gartry he informed me that I was not eligible for LASIK surgery which was the one I was hoping I would be eligible for! He informed me that I have a thin cornea and therefore LASEK would be the only option for me. He advised that healing time is longer (1 week) as medical contact lenses are placed in your eye to protect the eyes whilst the cells are rebuilding.
I had a think and decided that this was the best procedure and I decided to book the surgery for 13 December 2014. I was extremely nervous on the day of the surgery and had not had much sleep! On entering the hospital room where Dr Gartry performs the surgery I was greeted by a very friendly nurse. The nurse explained to my partner and I the symptoms and side effects I would experience for the next week and the strict regime of eyedrops that I must adhere to for the first week and the next 2/3 weeks! I was then taken in for the surgery.
The surgery itself lasted about 15 mins. I was not in the operating room for more than about 20 mins in total! Throughout the whole procedure Dr Gatry remained calm and informed me of what he was doing so I was also aware. I was told to focus on a red dot whilst the procedure was performed on each eye. I did not feel a thing as my eyes had been prepared with an anaesthetic.
Post Surgery:
Once the anaesthetic had worn off I could feel my eyes becoming very watery and heavy-but I was prepared for this. I had to keep putting in lubricating eye drops every 15 mins to help with the dryness. I was told if the pain was unbearable I could use the anaesthetic eyedrops however I managed to get through the first day without using these. I used the anesthetic eye drops twice-the 2nd and 3rd day at night before sleeping.
I had m 1 week check up where I had to visit Dr Gartrys clinic and was asked about my recovery. The optician checked my eyes and removed the medical contacts. She informed that my eyes were healing well-and at this point I could read and see everything very clearly-from a distance. I had LASEK to correct my short sightedness. My prescription in lenses was -3.50 in my right eye and -3.75 in my left eye. My left eye had more of an astigmatism in my left eye. I noticed that my left eye was healing slightly slower and the optician advised with LASEK this can take longer and to continue with the eye drops as instructed. Dr Gartry advised the same and on the whole I was very happy with my surgery at this stage as I was able to see clearly!
I have just recently had my 3 month checkup which revealed that my eyes were doing very well but as I had noticed my left eye was still not as sharp as my right eye. The optician advised that this was because I still had a very minor astigmatism in my left eye 0/5. This is very minor and would not need to be corrected. On the whole it does not bother me I only notice the slight difference between the two eyes when I cover my right eye and need to see only with my left eye. However when I use both eyes together (which is almost all the time!) I have no problem with my vision. I have not suffered from dry eyes but I continue to use the drops if I am tired or have not had a good nights sleep as I find this causes dry eyes for me but I had the same issue pre LASEK. I am happy with my procedure and how it has gone and would recommend anyone interested in Laser to visit Dr Gartrys clinic. Compared other clinics I can appreciate that some people may be put off by the price but you are paying for a private service and the after care is excellent. Dr Gartry himself is a very experienced consultant and has treated many people. I felt at ease knowing he was a specialist in this area and this made my decision easier. I would highly recommend the service and if anyone is thinking of going for LASIK but you are advised you are eligible for LASEK only then, please do not be put off by the recovery time or the procedure itself. LASEK itself is recommended for certain individuals who play contact sport for example and is considered the ‘better’ procedure. However I would encourage you to do your own research and read the paperwork and documents provided at the clinic which are very informative and detail all the risks involved very clearly.
I would have given ‘5’ as a overall rating if my left eye astigmatism had been corrected completely, but due to this slight astigmatism I have decided to go for 4/5, although the day to day implications for me are minor and I don’t notice the difference much, I wanted to make the review as honest and reliable!
I hope this review has been useful.
Phil
I’ve been considering having corrective surgery on my eyes for a few years now, so when finances became available, I bit the bullet and started doing some serious research online. In terms of the procedure, Lasik was the obvious choice, and I would not certainly not consider anything different. The short recovery times, lack of pain and lower risk factors seemed clear – and all were born out in practice.
Next choice was which company or clinic to choose. Geographic location obviously plays a part, and so does price. However I settled on Moorfields. The key decider for me was a comment by my optician when I mentioned that I was considering it: “Moorfields is the best – it’s where those who do have problems with corrective eye surgery go to have the issues fixed”. Online reviews backed this up with consistently higher review ratings. They did charge more than most, but that was a price I was willing to pay.
I settled with Mr Bruce Allan, and have to say he was superb. The advice, openness to discussion and calm approach were excellent. He also explained and talked through the options I had around splitting the amount of correction applied to the two eyes, to stave off the need for reading glasses. I did choose this option, and while it was disconcerting initially to have one eye perfectly focused with the other remaining short sighted, the results now, 3 months on, are excellent. My brain compensates without me noticing, and switches seamlessly between reading and distance viewing.
So in all, a thoroughly professional, friendly service which has given me exactly the sight I was after – perfect. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Moorfields and Mr Allan.
Paul Pugh
The whole process was excellent – from my initial enquiry, to first consultation, surgery, and follow-up, every aspect was exemplary.
I am very happy with the results. I would have no hesitation in recommending Moorfields to others.
Rowena
I cannot recommend Lasek eye surgery at Moorfields private with Dr Ionades highly enough. After 20 years of wearing contact lenses / glasses and several nasty eye infections, it feels amazing to wake-up in the morning and be able to see everything around me.
I would describe myself as a nervous patient with lots of questions, but Dr Ionades did everything to put me at ease by answering those questions and explaining the procedure in detail. My visual recovery was a little slower than most, (though I did not experience any pain), and Dr Ionades was always available to answer questions and reassurance.
I had my full eye test today – 2 months after surgery – and achieved the 20-20 result that we all hope for. This is definitely one of the best things I have done and the after-care is superb.
Mrs Diane McGarva
Ms Saw is excellent. She is so reassuring about the procedure, explaining good and bad about the surgery. I would strongly recommend her to anyone considering surgery.
Jeanette Gifkins
Good preparation, Very good results and very good aftercare, would recommend Bruce Allan and his team to friends, family and everyone.
