With a strong track record in surgical innovation and over 60 publications in international medical journals, Mr Bruce Allan is one of the UK’s leading academic refractive surgeons.
The good news? Mr Allan comes high up in the list of the 10 best laser eye surgeons in the UK, based on thousands of patient reviews since 2002.
Is there anything I should know? As you would expect from a top Moorfields surgeon, Dr Allan costs a fair bit more than his contemporaries at other clinics. You may like to read all our surgeon reviews to find if there is an equally esteemed professional at a lower price point, if budget is a priority.
So is he the one? If you would like a second opinion, you can find the top-rated eye surgery clinic near you using our simple tool here, and book a free consultation with an eye expert to discuss your options.
1. About Mr Bruce Allan
Mr Bruce Allan qualified in medicine from Cambridge in 1985 and was appointed as a Consultant Surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital in 1998 after advanced specialist training in the UK, South Africa, and Australia.
He was appointed as the Service Director for Refractive Surgery at Moorfields in 2012, and has remained at this clinic since 1998.
He and his wife, Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Maria Teresa Casasus Borrell, live in North London with their three daughters. He is a keen football fan and sailor.
In a nutshell:
- Clinic name: Moorfields Eye Hospital
- Qualification: MD FRCS FRCOphth
- Address: Moorfields Eye Hospital, 162 City Rd, London EC1V 2PD
- Area: Central London
2. Clinical Experience
Mr Bruce Allan has a range of expertise in sight correction treatments, including laser refractive surgery, ICL implantation, cataract and corneal transplantation, refractive lens exchange, and keratoconus treatment.
That means, he may be help you achieve 20/20 vision, even if you have been turned away by less experienced surgeons at other clinics.
Current professional activities include:
- NHS practice specializing in cataract surgery and corneal transplantation
- Private practice specializing in laser eye surgery and implants for vision correction
- Regular presentations at international research meetings, press, radio and television comment on developments in laser eye surgery, cataract and corneal transplantation
- Peer review for international medical journals and research grant funding bodies
- Specialist advice for NICE and MHRA
- Current research interests include
- Multiple regression analysis to enhance accuracy in wavefront LASIK
- New techniques of corneal endothelial transplantation for Fuchs dystrophy
- Non-transplant interventions for keratoconus
3. Training and Qualifications
Bruce Allan graduated in medicine from Cambridge in 1985, and was appointed as a Consultant Surgeon at Moorfields in 1998.
Before that, he engaged in advanced specialist training in the UK, South Africa, and Australia. He was Training Director for the Corneal Service at Moorfields for over 10 years, and Service Director for Refractive Surgery from 2012 to 2019.
He is currently chairing the Royal College of Ophthalmologists Refractive Surgery Standards Working Group and is an EU Cornea Board member.
Current research interests include:
- Enhancing treatment accuracy in laser refractive surgery
- Laser assisted corneal transplantation
- Early intervention and visual rehabilitation in keratoconus
4. Patient Reviews
“From initial consultation to final check up the whole process was amazing – the procedure was quick and totally pain free I had no problems at all following the procedure and my sight just kept improving on a daily basis it was worth every penny – i don’t need glasses at all.
Would highly recommend Moorfields Private clinic for anyone thinking if having this done they are the best. Thank you Mr. Allan.“ –
Mrs S Whiting
“If I could give higher than a 5 rating I would.
Bruce Allan was absolutely brilliant from my initial consultation onwards. He answered all my questions in a calm and reassuring manner, which made me feel immediately at ease.
He talked me through all the benefits and the drawbacks of the procedure, in a highly professional manner, which made me feel like I was in very, very, safe hands.” – Jack Green
“Excellent result and no longer need glasses for reading and writing with eyes getting better every day. Would thoroughly recommend Bruce and the process from start to finish was outstanding.” – Mike McMillen
5. Prices
As you may have seen, Moorfields Private offers prices at the upper end, given the top-of-the-range equipment and high experience levels of its surgeons.
The exact cost of your treatment will depend on the surgeon ou choose. That’s because the laser eye consultants are employed by Moorfields, and set their own fees.
Laser eye surgery costs with Mr Bruce Allan cost £2,485 per eye for common laser eye surgery such as LASIK or LASEK. These prices rise to between £3,320 and £4,155 per eye for more complex procedures including cataract surgery and ICL.
An initial consultation will set you back £200, or £300 for a second opinion. If you would like a free consultation to explore your options, it’s worth considering clinics such as Optical Express or Optimax where you can receive free quotes.
Consultation costs
- Consultation: £200
- Second opinion: £300
All post-surgical consultations are included within the procedure fee, as part of your comprehensive aftercare package.
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
Are there any extra 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.
☛ Want a tailored quote? The only way to compare exact quotes is to see an eye expert for a check-up. These can cost up to £250, but with our simple tool, you can find out how much laser or lens surgery will cost you at Optical Express for free.
6. The Verdict
So, is Mr Allan the right eye surgeon for you? Of course, that all depends on where you live, and what you’re looking for.
His prices are some of the highest in the UK. But then again, he is extremely experienced, and if the reviews are anything to go by, you are likely to get what you pay for.
That said, eye surgery is considered a safe elective surgery by the General Medical Council (GMC), so no one should feel obliged to spend any more than they are comfortable with.
If you’d like to find out more, you can always attend free consultations with a range of surgeons to see where you feel happy.
☝ To find a top-rated laser eye surgery clinic near you, just click here to use our simple quote tool, and receive a tailored match and quote from a clinic you can trust.
Mr Bruce Allan Reviews
Robert Wallace
I was myopic, astigmatic and in my late 40’s also presbyopic. Therefore, I never anticipated being completely free of wearing glasses, but that is how good the outcome has been. My eyes are also much more comfortable now that I have stopped wearing contact lenses. I did not realize how much they irritated my eyes even though I only wore them around three evenings per week.
The outcome of this procedure has totally exceeded my expectations !
Mary K Bispham
I am very pleased with the results of my eye surgery and would recommend it to anyone. The procedure was pain-free and the improvement in my vision has made a world of difference in sports and everyday life in general.
Adie Shariff
I had strong stigmatism in both eyes and was sceptical of how I could be corrected by laser surgery. 3-months on I have near perfect unaided vision. The clinic was outstanding – explaining everything before and during surgery. Post surgery care is second to none. Mr Allan in particular has a way of explaining the complicated in simple ways. His care to make sure I felt at ease was second to none. Recommended without hesitation.
David Gabriel
I am pleased with the outcome. I was able to return to work within two days of surgery and I no longer require glasses. The level of care was very good and I would certainly recommend Mr Allan and his team.
Phil Davis
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.
richard bray
excellent advice and treatment throughout – including after-care.
made to feel at ease about a procedure which causes a high degree of anxiety.
results were better than i had originally expected prior to initial consultation.
highly recommended.
Angelina Lim
Very happy with result. Excellent service. Thorough consultation and all questions answered. 100% full confidence in Mr Allan. Painless and quick procedure – all over in minutes. If you are thinking about having your eyes done, don’t waste any more time thinking and worrying about it, just make that appointment with Mr Allan – you will be in very good hands!! Thumbs up for Mr Allan & Moorfields!!
Nick Grout
Because of an earlier eye problem, correcting my vision was less than straightforward. I went to Moorfields and used one of the best surgeons by reputation as it seemed well worth the money for something so important. I was guided by the reviews on this site, and found them to be borne out by experience. I was fed up with wearing glasses and could no longer use contact lenses after my eye problem. I am delighted with the outcome, no longer needing glasses at all – although I am still adjusting to the different vision in each eye which gives me the best practical range overall. Bruce Allen is a top notch professional. Obviously highly skilled and experienced but also with a clear, calm manner and an ability to explain options and issues very clearly. His manner was always reassuring, and despite at an earlier stage in my life thinking that laser surgery was something I’d never go for or ‘risk’, I would now thoroughly recommend it! It’s made a big difference to my life.
Amanda Sakalys
Mr Allan is a very safe pair of hands. As soon as I walked into the consulting room, I felt confident about having him perform my surgery. I was very short-sighted – my right eye was -10.50 so I was on the edge of what is possible with surgery but I now have normal vision.
The treatment itself isn’t particularly pleasant but thankfully brief. My vision took a while to settle after the surgery but that is mainly because my prescription was so high to begin with and so my brain had to make a huge adjustment. Since the surgery my vision has gone from strength to strength and I’m happy with the result.
