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
Stuart Rudge
Although all of the options and treatments were explained to me during my initial consultation, I found it a lot of information to take in, although that is more to do with me than the clinic!I found the aftercare excellent and also was made very comfortable during the operation.Overall I am very pleased with my experience. There was almost no pain during and aftercare the operation, and all of the aftercare advice has been very easy to follow.Thank you very much!
ANNETTE LOVELL
Very informative and although nervous, the staff at Harley Street and at the Hospital, were excellent at putting you at ease and were very professional, at all times.I would not hesitate in recommending the procedure at Advance Visioncare and would gladly go through it all again.My prescription was +5.25 in my right eye with additional +2.00 for reading and +7.00 in my left eye with additional +2.00 for reading. Since the surgery, it is unbelievable to be able to see without the need to put contact lenses every day, with glasses over the top for reading and for my work which involved using computer Monday-Friday. But the best thing for me has been to throw away my ordinary “Jam-Jar” bottom daily glasses. Absolute Heaven!
Mary Saban
I was totally impressed with the service and would not hesitate to recommend anyone to yourselves. From reception to treatment all of your staff are excellent. Many thanks Mary
Bernadette Faulkner
Mr prescription prior to laser treatment was -1.25 -1.50 in the right eye and -1.50 -0.50 in the left eye. I found all the staff members extremely helpful and informative during my initial consultation. The pre-consultation checks were thorough and informative. On the day of the surgery every effort was made to ensure I felt at ease and given how nervous I was this was greatly appreciated.Despite my concerns the actual procedure was amazingly easy. The whole procedure lasted less than 15 minutes and I was not either uncomfortable or in pain at any point.The week following my eyes quickly recovered and by the fourth day I could see as well as I could with my prescription. Thank you to everyone at Advance VisionCare. I thoroughly recommend this clinic and Mr Pillai.
Anita Wales
Everyone was great and informed me well of my suitability and the treatment itself.I did go for a few other consultations with other competitors but felt Advance VisionCare offered a more individual service while remaining professional and relaxed.After the day of the surgery I panicked a bit as my eye sight worse, this was explained over the phone as normal when I phoned for reassurance. My eyesight soon got better and apart from being dry is nearly as it should be only a week after surgery.I certainly recommend it and coming to Advance VisionCare.
Lee Hutchings
Right from the start at my initial consultation the levels of care & attention was outstanding.This continued throughout my treatment as a result of the laser eye surgery I already seen an incredible difference in my sight, that’s just over a week after surgery (after 1 day i was 2 lines above driving standards-amazing!).I’d have no hesitation in recommending Advance VisionCare-Dr Pillai and his entire team to any of my friends.This has been without a doubt one of the best and exciting things I’ve done in my life. Thank you
Guy Harris
You cannot really improve your service it was excellent and I would recommend you to any of my friends.Thank you
Patricia Crowley
Prior to my ICL treatment, I had a prescription of Right eye -8.75 and Left eye -8.75. I had worn glassesFor 32 years. Because of my high prescription I was unsuitable for Laser Eye Surgery and I undertook an extensive research into the STAAR ICL.In April I had the ICL procedure in both eyes with three weeks between my first and second eye. I has been amazing. My eyesight is now perfect. The procedure was painless. Advance VisionCare was very accommodating as I live in Ireland. The staffs were wonderful and very professional. I can honestly say that I feel like I was actually born with these new improved eyes. They feel so natural!I would recommend this procedure to anyone deemed suitable. It has been a life changing.
Fiona Hayward
I was highly impressed with the level of service, communication, care and after service that I have received through Advance VisionCare. I was particularly nervous and worried about the procedure but I wish I didn’t waste my energy worrying because it was pain free and straightforward. Mr Pillai is the ultimate professional and has complete control and confidence and this is why i wouldn’t recommend anyone else other than Advance VisionCare.Thank you all so very much for ensuring this whole experience has been a fantastic one. You listened carefully to my needs I as a patient I am extremely happy 4 weeks after my procedure.
Brian Reddecliffe
Apologies for the delay in sending this, but i wanted to get to the stage where my eyes had completely settled following the operation.I thought the service provided was excellent right from my initial consultation at Eyesite, right through to my visits and operation at the clinic and the after-care with Eyesite.This is a major life changing operation and it is worrying with the possible consequences if things do not go well.However, I thought the consultation and treatment were excellent and certainly greatly helped in putting ones fears to rest.I would not hesitate to recommend this procedure and the clinic to anybody.
