Mr David Allamby specialises in LASIK, LASEK, Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) and other laser eye treatments at Focus Clinic, which he himself founded, and where he now works as the medical director.
Mr Allamby also happened to be the first surgeon in the UK to perform CK for long-sightedness (presbyopia), helping to free his patients from reading glasses. He also stands out as one of the only laser eye surgeons in the UK to focus solely on refractive laser treatment full-time, making him a leader in this field.
For these reasons and many more, David Allamby sits proudly in the list of the 10 top laser eye surgeons in the UK, based on thousands of patient reviews on Lasik Eyes since 2002.
☝ So, is Mr Allamby the one? To receive a tailored match and quote from a top-rated clinic near you, just click here to use our simple tool.
1. Qualifications
Mr David Allamby, FRCS(Ed), FRCOphth graduated from Sheffield University Medical School in 1987, and has specialised in ophthalmic surgery since 1989. He became a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and then a fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in 1993.
David Allamby has worked at some of the United Kingdom’s leading eye centres, including Moorfields Eye Hospital in London and the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital.
As you would expect from a leading laser eye surgeon, Mr Allamby has published work – in ocular scar formation – whilst at the University of Manchester, which received funding from the prestigious Wellcome Trust grant.
2. Experience
Mr Allamby peforms the main types of laser eye surgery: LASIK and LASEK laser eye treatment, and CK radio eye correction – an innovative treatment for age-related vision issues – using state-of-the-art technology.
He works closely with each of his patients to determine which procedure most suits them, believing in the importance of his clients’ active participation through a process of full informed consent, so they can decide together which option is best.
In addition to clocking up more than 3,000 LASIK and LASEK laser surgeries to date, Mr Allamby has performed over 2,000 CK radio eye treatments, as well as providing CK surgery training to visiting consultants from countries around the world.
His particular expertise lies in the enhanced ‘light touch’ CK technique (a technique now adopted as standard by surgeons across the globe), which he partly pioneered at FOCUS Laser Vision and has more experience in than any other doctor in the world.
As a thought leader, David also runs a new informational blog for anyone wanting to learn more about LASIK and PRK laser eye surgery. It includes general information for UK patients, polling on key topics (currently on LASIK prices), informational videos and PDFs including watching live LASIK eye surgery and of course the opportunity to post your replies to blog topics, ask questions and request blog postings on subjects of interest.
3. Focus Clinic
Mr Allamby is the Chief Surgeon at Focus Clinic, a renowned Harley Street eye clinic. Focus enjoys a reputation as the go-to for celebrities, and claims of a 99.7% success rate for standard surgeries.
What makes it different? As you would expect from any independent eye clinic, it’s the consultants who led Focus Clinics, which means you’re unlikely to face hard sales strategies to use particular equipment, or accept a specific treatment.
Is there anything to look out for? As always, when choosing the right laser eye surgery provider for you, you don’t need to feel pressured into paying than you are comfortable with. With no finance options, and some of the highest laser eye surgery costs, this clinic won’t be for everyone.
4. Mr David Allamby Review: The Verdict
So, is Mr Allamby the right eye surgeon for you? Of course, that all depends on where you live, which treatment would suit your prescription, and what your budget is.
David Allamby is the medical director of one of the best laser eye surgery clinics in London, so if you live in the capital you may like to arrange an initial consultation with him to discuss your options.
That said, you’ll find cheaper laser and lens replacement costs elsewhere. If your optometrist diagnoses you with uncomplicated eye health, common procedures such as LASIK have a high success rate wherever you go, so you don’t have to feel pressured into paying more than you would like.
☝ 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 David Allamby Reviews
K Kwang
If you ever decide to have laser eye surgery, Focus Clinic is the place to have it!First of all, I am not paid to write this review. I only decided to pen down my experience having seen some less distinguished practices elsewhere. Naturally I understand the results of taking un-calculated risks especially that my work entails risk management in a large bank. I had been to two other consultations elsewhere, one who supposedly housed a top Lasik surgeon but I found the connectedness lacking. Risks were dismissed altogether in the other clinic.My consultations with Focus Clinic brought a different dimension to this. I chose Focus for a variety of reasons, chief of them were:1. Good size set up which means there is more connectedness with patient, unlike larger franchises. I had 3 per-operative consultations (and 4 sets of scans) because I want to understand more about Lasik risks and the staff and surgeon were very accommodating. Even judging from post-operative care, they couldn’t have done much better- a good acid test of whether Focus was more interested in customer care above simply closing a sale. 2. Great surgeon. To sum up my thoughts about him- has a wealth of experience in Lasik, answers questions with depth and foremost has an unshakeable faith in helping you assess whether Lasik is best for you.3. Provides me ample time to read through the consent form and encouraged to ask as many questions as I wish which were then either answered by the optometrist who attended to me and by Dr Allamby himself.4. Very thorough consultations which live up to their promise of treating good candidates only. Depending on how you view it, I find this a good measure of risk mitigation.5. There is no persuasion whatsoever to close out your sale. There is not one single mention in my pre-operative consultations that I should go ahead with the surgery or urged to book my surgery as soon as possible. Focus appears to be neutral whether I decide to go ahead with Lasik and with them or not which can only mean that they do consider the well being of patients first, unlike other commercial set ups or franchises.5. Lifetime aftercare guarantee. Although I hope never to need this, but it does bring a peace of mind. This distinguished Focus from the entity housing my previous consultation with a top Lasik surgeon where aftercare is only limited to 12 months.6. £30 of every treatment goes to a charity foundation. In brief, I was served well by a great team of staff lead by Dr Allamby. Many thanks to Malisa, a brilliant patient care coordinator who had always attended to my calling and who is my first contact person for Focus. Both Caroline and Ritu did an excellent job examining my precious set of eyes pre and post-surgery.If you are reading this, please do not take this review as a guide that Lasik is best for everyone. After that, it is an elective surgery. But based on my experience, if you ever decide to go for Lasik, then Focus Clinic is highly recommended!
Brian
As I write, 24hrs after treatment, I can only say good things about this clinic, their staff and Mr Dave Allamby in particular. All my research into this procedure and choice of Focus feels supported now by my own experience. The key factors for me were the honesty of the clinics (website 100% accurate), competency of staff – surgeon especially, technology – best in UK.My case was a mid range myopia, -4.00 each eye with differing astigmatism to boot. They were happy to boast the Uk’s only 100% 20/20 or better record since their latest technology investment in 2011. By my calculations, this has to be about 1000 treatments by now.So now for me, with my own 20/20 only 24hrs in, I am confident of further improvement to come.I remain confident that all their aftercare promises will be met – all has be to the high standard I expected thus far.For this Focus charge a fair premium, but are far from the most expensive around. If like me you want the very best for your eyes, then all things remaining equal, Focus would be an excellent choice for you too.
Stefan
What a fantastic experience…been mulling this over for a long time and finally decided to get it over with. I can hardly say this was even uncomfortable, certainly not painful. The team make you completely at ease, and the results are undeniable, absolutely fantastic. Perfect vision now. I can wholeheartedly recommend FOCUS! Mr. Allamby was absolutely brilliant and I can’t fault the pre-op or aftercare. would recommend to anyone.
Zoe Daniels
I cannot recommend Focus enough. I had -9.00 short sight and by the following day check up I had vision far better than I could ever have imagined for someone with such a high prescription! From the outset, the very first call I made to make my consultation appointment, through to my consultation, subsequent surgery, and post-surgery check-up and care, every single member of staff at Focus have been amazing in more ways than one – friendly, knowledgeable, caring, trustworthy – they really make you feel great and relaxed about having such life-changing surgery. I have to save my biggest thanks for Mr David Allamby; he really does live up to his fantastic reputation and I'm so glad I placed my trust in him, he quite literally could not have got better results for me. So thank you Mr Allamby, your expertise and knowledge have changed my life for the better! And thanks again to everyone at Focus!
Elona
The team provide a fabulous service from care all the way to your treatment and post treatment appointments. I cannot thank them enough. Most people are put off from Focus due to high prices as it treats a lot of celebrities but please do not let price put you off as they have some fantastic offers and the team are amazing.
Nadia
The level of service at Focus is flawless, special mention to surgeon David Allamby, Hannah and the entire team who not only made me feel comfortable but answered every single tiny query I had. I was so nervous, this is life changing but the minute I got up off the table, I knew this was the best decision I had ever made. The results are outstanding, I now have 20/20 vision, the aftercare is amazing and there is a real feeling of being cared for in this surgeon, they will not do the surgery unless they feel the results are worth it, so I really felt like Focus did not operate a conveyor belt system that you tend to get elsewhere – I cannot recommend Focus and David Allamby enough.
Ibrahim Mohammed
Its 3 weeks now after the surgery, thanks to God it has been an excellent experience. Focus clinic has a very warm and friendly staff who talked through the process. As I live alone, I was very nervous initially, but made my mind to go for it. Procedure was very quick infact.. in the surgery room and out ..I think in 15 mins total. It did pained a bit or say felt uncomfortable on the day of surgery after few hours as the anesthesia was wearing out after I reached home ( by myself), for which I was given anesthetic drops. I did managed to take a train and come back home, though the vision was bit misty. One next day morning, vision was clear and went to work... no pain.. but sometimes dryness of eyes which I was told would take 1-3 months to settle.Has been a good experience so far.
James R
Reading some of the reviews on the site is part of what convinced me to go have a look at Focus for a consultation and I wasn't disappointed. Looked at 8 other places and Focus were by far the friendliest, most knowledgeable and professional. Got my treatment done about a year ago and haven't looked back since. excellect post-op customer service, the surgeon is on call whenever you need him, they all know your name and face and treat you with utmost care. Don't be tempted to compromise on who you go to if you think you've found a good deal - this is your eyesight we're talking about. It's worth saving up a little longer to know it's in good hands and Allamby is one of the best in the country.
Penny
I really can't recommend Focus highly enough. I had blended laser surgery yesterday and just one day later have better than 20/20 vision.The whole team there are caring and reassuring from the initial consultation through surgery to post op. check ups .The op itself really is painless although a little uncomfortable but that only lasts for 20 seconds or so.Iwas pretty nervous(after all you only get one pair of eyes and what if...?)but there was absolutely no need to be whatsoever.David Allamby completely put me at ease,talked me through the entire procedure,explained what he was doing and was very calming.I felt completely safe in his hands.Afterwards my sight was blurry (he told me it would be for a couple of hours) and my eyes felt incredibly heavy(again he had explained to me that would happen)so no nasty surprises.After a couple of hours sleep and some anaesthetic drops (because your eyes may feel stingy - like when you peel an onion) I woke up and it was certainly an OMG!! experience.One day on and I can honestly say that there is no pain whatsoever although a little "gritty" feeling which is getting better as the day wears on.Lots of drops to put in and sunglasses to wear for a week but what a revelation!! I never knew I was meant to be able to see as well as this.If you're even only thinking about having laser eye surgery I urge you to contact Focus you can rest assured you will get the best treatment possible and you'll be so glad you did :)
Siobhan
Absolutely brilliant. David Allamby was fantastic, extremely professional and reassuring. Very relieved I chose this clinic.Would not trust anyone else with my sight!
Andrew Dadd
As a result of my high myopia (R -7.00, L -7.75), astigmatism (R -1.75, L -1.50), age related presbyopia and thin corneas, I was not able to have LASIK from high street "suppliers". I found Focus Laser Vision on the internet. They looked at me and I was offered blended laser treatment - this is not available from mainstream / conventional clinics and is therefore not discussed – which I went for. This was followed up with a PRK surface treatment for the right eye to remove a small residual astigmatism – no extra cost involved. I was able to get everything fixed for what was quite an extreme prescription! I have been so pleased, that I arranged for my daughter to have treatment by Focus in London rather than locally (in Cambridge) and my wife is having treatment there this summer. All members of the Focus team have been extremely helpful on our “journeys” and I recommend them to any reader of this comment.
