Mr Pillai is the Medical Director at Advance Vision Care (AVC), which he founded back in 2003. Today, he is considered one of UK’s most respected, highly trained and experienced Consultant Refractive Surgeons.
With over 25 years’ experience under his belt, Mr Pillai has personally performed over 30,000 eye surgeries – more than many other ophthalmologists. He is also licenced to practice both in the UK and the USA, after having worked for years with the NHS, and in Indian eye hospitals.
As one of the first eye surgeons in the country to conduct bilateral LASIK (bladeless eye surgery on both eyes), Mr Pillai still performs all laser procedures at AVC.
1. Qualifications
Today, Mr Pillai is a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCO), as well as the Royal College of Surgeons, and is registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). Membership of these bodies signals a stamp of approval within the ophthalmology industry.
Mr Pillai’s Formal Qualifications:
- 1990: Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists
- 1989: Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
- 1988: Diploma in Ophthalmology, Royal College of Surgeons, Glasgow
- 1982: Diploma in Ophthalmology, Madras University, India
- 1980: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, Madras University, India
Mr Pillai’s Professional Affiliations:
- Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCO – UK)
- Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh
- British Society of Refractive Surgery (BSRS – UK)
- British Medical Association (BMA)
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO – UK)
- Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO – USA)
- American Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS – USA)
- International Society of Refractive Surgery (ISRS)
- European Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ESCRS)
What’s more, Mr Pillai is one of the few eye surgeons in the UK to receive a Fellowship in both Corneal and in Refractive Surgery: one at the University of Texas in the USA; and the other at The Queen Victoria Hospital in the UK.
And – as you would expect from someone who founded his own private practice – he is helping to innovate laser eye surgery technology through collaboration with the Technolas group think tank.
2. Experience
After working as an NHS Consultant for five years, Mr Pillai founded his own private clinic, AVC, in 2003. In addition to performing laser eye surgery himself, Mr Pillai still finds the time to present at international conferences, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and help train other surgeons in the UK.
Quite a few accolades help Mr Pillai stand out. Rare among them is his pioneering of the co-management approach. He gathered a network of clinical partners (all of whom are experienced and accredited optometrists) in England to act as a referral base for initial consultation and aftercare.
As a result, patients are able to receive qualified advice on their eye conditions, from an optometrist close to home. This is part of the AVC’s focus on personalised patient care.
Area of expertise:
- Corneal neovascularization (CNV), or the growth of new blood vessels in the eye
- Amniotic membrane transplantation
- Specular microscopy in uveitis
- Excimer laser surgery (such as LASIK and LASEK)
- Dry eye conditions
3. Mr C. T. Pillai Review: The Verdict
So, is Mr Pillai the right eye surgeon for you? Of course, that all depends on where you live, and what you’re looking for.
If you’re seeking laser eye surgery in London, you’ll be pleased to know Mr Pillai operates largely in the Harley Street AVC Clinic. Plus, Lasik Eyes reviewers comment on his compassionate, personable approach.
But depending on your budget, you may like to shop around. In any case, it’s always worth trying to meet your surgeon at an initial consultation to establish a good connection before the surgery.
☝ 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 C.T. Pillai Reviews
Barbara Stacey
My whole experience with AVC has been very pleasant. I have been delighted with the centre, staff and aftercare I have received. The excellent results of the treatment would encourage me to recommend AVC to friends and family.The treatment itself was painless and comfortable. I experienced very little discomfort after and was reassured by staff continuously. The immediate aftercare was excellent. Thanks to all and the trip down from South Yorkshire has been well worth it!
Kate Gibson
It is only now a year since having my treatment, that I have got around to completing this feed back. All I need to say is that I never thought that a) I would be suitable for laser treatment (being -8 in both eyes) and b) I would ever go through with it. But I am so glad I have!The staff at AVC are so calm and reassuring that even though you feel panicky, they completely put you at ease and you know that you are in safe hands.I have just had my final check up and my vision is better than Mr Pillai Predicted – 20/20 in each eye with combined vision of 20/17 (better than 20/20 vision) in both eyes together. Amazing!I would thoroughly recommend both AVC and Laser to anyone who is considering it. Your life will never be the same again.
Alison Leveridge
After months of research on this website and several consultations at a variety of clinics, I decided on AVC, mainly because of the reputation of the surgeon, inclusion of the surgeon in the consultation and the promise of aftercare.Everything good I'd read about the clinic and surgeon was proved to be true.I am delighted with the results. I am 50, was shortsighted with astigmatism in both eyes and had started to lose reading vision,so after trying monovision with contact lenses (I was able to get advice from a local optician trained by AVC as to which strength to try),that's what I decided on.The results have surpassed my expectations. I can thread a needle without reading glasses and my distance vision is great too.This is after only a week. I know my reading vision will deteriorate as I get older, but I will have no hesitation in going back to AVC for treatment such as RLE in the future.In fact, I'm going to start saving!
Sherree Hamburg
•Customer care was very good•Natalie was very helpful•All staff were professional•Cannot comment where to improve•Good attention to detail•Very accommodating from assessment to treatment•Caring and committed staff•Consultant was brilliant and very approachable as were all the staff
Sherree Hamburg
•Customer care was very good•Natalie was very helpful•All staff were professional•Cannot comment where to improve•Good attention to detail•Very accommodating from assessment to treatment•Caring and committed staff•Consultant was brilliant and very approachable as were all the staff
Sahida Bharuchi
I would recommend laser eye surgery to everyone needing better vision. I only wish I had it done years ago.The surgery was over and done with in 15 minutes max both eyes.
Heather Fisher
Pawel and Jaimini impressed me with their excellent levels of service.I decided to have the treatment because the surgeon himself had had it done and it’s something I’ve always wanted to have done.My experience at AVC was really great - very professional, I was made to feel very welcome and relaxed completely with people that are obviously very experienced and good at what they do. Also, they were very lovely people.The treatment has changed my life and my brain is still adjusting to it! It’s brilliant – I can’t wait to take the children swimming and let them splash me!The service was excellent. I wouldn’t change anything about my experience
Helen Laurenson
The decision to have my eyes lasered was honestly one of the best decisions of my life. I only wish that I had done it earlier. I was kept informed at every step of the way and at no time was there any pressure to proceed.The procedure was quick and absolutely painless. It took only just over a day for my eyes to return to normal, except of course with their new 20-20 vision!I have honestly forgotten that I was ever short-sighted. I researched my surgeon Mr Pillai and I am certain that I picked the very best practitioner in the field. I would wholeheartedly recommend him to any future patients as I have done to all my work colleagues.It is definitely worth paying for the best.
Glenn Gilbert
The level of service, knowledge and attentiveness from everyone at AVC was excellent.I was slightly apprehensive on the day of the treatment, but I never doubted my decision to have the surgery or that I was in the right place to have it done.A big thank you to Mr Pillai, Pawel and the rest of the team.
Glenn Gilbert
The level of service, knowledge and attentiveness from everyone at AVC was excellent.I was slightly apprehensive on the day of the treatment, but I never doubted my decision to have the surgery or that I was in the right place to have it done.A big thank you to Mr Pillai, Pawel and the rest of the team.
