Professor David Gartry is Consultant Ophthalmologist to Moorfields Eye Hospital, and Visiting Professor to the faculty of Visual Sciences at City University, London. Today, his patients include royalty, A-listers, famous musicians, celebrity chefs, as well as high-flying business men and women.
He was one of the first surgeons in the world to perform laser eye surgery, way back in November 1989. That gives him the longest experience in this field of any eye surgeon in the UK. He has performed over 20,000 treatments to date, which is more than some clinics.
What makes him different? As the person we might consider the father of laser eye surgery in the UK, Professor Gartry tops the list of the 10 best laser eye surgeons in the UK, based on thousands of patient reviews since 2002.
What else should I know? Professor Gartry underwent laser eye surgery (LASIK) himself in October 2000, so he fully understands the process from both the doctor’s and the patient’s perspective. He recently founded the Wimpole Eye Clinic to help more people enjoy freedom from glasses.
☝ So is he the one? You’re the only one that can answer that. 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. Training and Prizes
Graduating in 1978 with a first class honours degree in Optometry from Glasgow Caledonian University, David then completed his pre-registration year at Moorfields Eye Hospital in 1979. With the first place in the UK professional qualifying examinations under his belt, he was awarded the Colebrook and Porter prizes of The British College of Optometrists, the Master’s Prize of The Spectacle Makers Company (SMC) and the J Stephen Dawson Memorial award of The Institute of Optometry.
He then read Medicine at University College London, where he won several academic awards including the annual national Sir Stewart Duke-Elder prize in Ophthalmology. He became a Fellow of The Royal College of Surgeons and The Royal College of Ophthalmologists in 1988. And that same year, while at St Thomas’ Hospital, he became involved in the first research work evaluating the then new excimer laser to treat corneal surface disease.
From 1989 to 1992, Professor Gartry held a full-time Iris Fund Research Fellowship, investigating the potential clinical applications of the laser and in November 1989, and became the first surgeon in The United Kingdom to perform laser eye surgery (photorefractive keratectomy or PRK).
He was responsible for the selection and monitoring of all patients in the original St Thomas’ Hospital research trials. And this culminated in the a thesis entitled ‘The Development of Excimer Laser Corneal Surgery in the UK’, which earned him the higher degree of Doctor of Medicine from The University of London.
2. Qualifications
Progessor Gartry moved to Moorfields Eye Hospital in 1992, and from January 1998 onwards he was responsible for the first LASIK (laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis) research protocols there. He has published over 50 scientific papers relating to laser corneal surgery, and has spoken at numerous scientific meetings around the world.
In 1991, he was awarded The Storz Medal and in 1993 The Iris Fund Triennial Award. He has written several book chapters and co-edited 3 textbooks: ‘Excimer Lasers in Ophthalmology – Principles and Practice’ (1997, Martin Dunitz), ‘Cataract Surgery’ (2003, BMA publishing) and ‘Corneal Surgery’ (2013, Springer Verlag).
In February 1995 he delivered one of the prestigious discourse lectures to The Royal Institution of Great Britain, a leading scientific society, and following this was made a member of The Royal Institution. In 2006 he was appointed Visiting Professor to City University and was Refractive Service Director at Moorfields from 2006 to 2013.
He holds The Royal College of Ophthalmologists’ Certificate in Laser Refractive Surgery (2007), and was entered into the 2007 edition of ‘Who’s Who’. In 2010, he was awarded an honorary doctor of science degree (DSc) by Glasgow Caledonian University. And in 2013, he received a lifetime fellowship of the College of Optometrists in recognition of his contributions to the field of ophthalmic surgery.
3. Prices
Laser eye surgery costs and lens replacement surgery costs are fixed and easy to digest at the Wimpole Eye Clinic. These are the latest prices (for both eyes) for laser eye surgery at this clinic with surgery by David Gartry:
| Eye Surgery Procedure | Price (both eyes) |
|---|---|
| Initial Consultation | £195 |
| IntraLASIK / LASEK with Wavefront | £4,480 |
| IntraLASIK/ LASEK with Wavefront (Higher Prescriptions) | £4,980 |
| Surgery package for standard treatment with a premium monofocal lens | £3,517 |
| Surgery package for laser assisted treatment with a premium monofocal lens | £4,138 |
| Special order/custom made lens | From £575 |
So how do these prices compare? Unlike with high street clinics such as Optical Express or Ultralase, the initial consultation with Professor Gartry is not free. Plus, any follow-up consultations will slap another £150 on top.
The surgery costs are also higher than at some other eye clinics. Yes, all procedures comes with Wavefront technology as standard, which is a high-precision AI-enhanced laser. But remember other treatment centres will sometimes give their own name to their advanced laser technology – at Optical Express, it’s called iDesign, at Optegra it’s Clairvu.
Are there any hidden costs? Yes and no. These prices include extensive eye tests before treatment, and any aftercare visits will be free for the first two years following surgery.
But patients will usually need two to three follow-up consultations, which are £150 a pop. If you suffer from very high prescriptions or astigmatism, your cost of surgery may even be higher than the prices above.
If these prices are more than you would feel comfortable paying, you might like to consider a leading high street clinic, as most will offer monthly payment options for as little as £30 a month for two years.
4. Professor Gartry Review: The Verdict
David Gartry continues to be at at the forefront of technological innovation in laser eye surgery. But he actually specialises in cataract surgery, and was one of the first UK surgeons to evaluate and adopt the latest femtosecond laser.
So, is Professor Gartry the right eye surgeon for you? Of course, that all depends on where you live, and what you’re looking for.
To find out, you might like to book a consultation with Professor Gartry to meet him, and discuss your eye care in detail. This will cost £195. Or, you can talk to an eye expert commitment-free by finding a well-reviewed eye surgery clinic that offers full eye tests and a surgery consultation at no cost at all.
☝ 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.
Professor David S Gartry Reviews
Judith Cousins Woodrow
I wanted to thank you for the wonderful sight you have given me. There are no words to explain how delighted I am with my new vision.
I do not think I fully appreciated that I could actually see without glasses before I had the operation. I convinced myself I would be happy If could place less reliance upon my glasses and have a wider range of frames when I comes to choosing a new pair. I was limited to about four frames when I last changed my glasses. They all had to be very small so the lenses did not appear too thick even though I had the thinnest lenses I could have. There were instances before the operation, where my glasses were not where I expected them to be when I woke up and I could not see to find them. It left me feeling vulnerable.
I will never forget seeing the clock when you had finished the procedure and being able to tell it was midday. I know prior to the operation I would have struggled to see the wall, let alone the clock, I certainly would not have been able to tell the time. I remember looking at the clock, literally not being able to believe my eyes and bursting into tears, I think I will remember that for the rest of my life.
It is the little things that have made such a difference. I can tell the difference between shampoo and conditioner when I have a shower. I no longer have to put up with glasses steaming up when I enter a warm room from outside. There have been many smart comments made about needing wipers on my glasses when it rains, now I can feel the rain on my face. I can get warm at the gym, and my glasses do not fall down my face. When I have a hair appointment, I can see what damage the hairdresser is doing!
My new hobby when driving, is reading a car number plate, just because I can see them so clearly. This is much to the annoyance of my husband! My vision is far better than it was with glasses. It was really my last pair of glasses that made me realise I had to do something about my eyes. No matter how many times I cleaned my glasses they always seemed to be smeary. They did not fit me properly, I was told they were fitting fine when I could feel them digging into my head. I resorted to using my hair dryer to bend them into place!
I felt lucky to have two healthy eyes that I could see out of even if I did have to wear spectacles. It was when my vision in my last pair of glasses was not very good that I decided to do something about it. I am so glad I did. Everything looks so much clearer and I just cannot thank you enough. Every morning I wake up and think “wow, I can see”. It has changed my outlook on life too. I used to get worried about being late filing a set of accounts, or a tax return, but I have realised in the grand scheme of things, it does not matter. As long as I can see, and my family are happy and healthy, everything else is insignificant.
I hope every patient you have is as delighted with their outcome as I am. I think you must have one of the best jobs there is, changing people’s lives, in just thirty minutes. I appreciate it has taken you years of hard work, study and research to be able to do what you do. I truly thank you for what you have done for me, the quality of my vision has exceeded my wildest dreams. I would like to thank your team too. Everybody was so kind and reassuring
Anabell
Thank you very much for giving me back the freedom from glasses. It’s absolutely marvellous. Thank you for your patience with my 20×20 questions.
Helen
I have been absolutely delighted with the result of my recent cataract surgery. After wearing glasses or contact lenses for so many years it is wonderful not to have to rely on them. Thank you so much for your considerable expertise and kindness
Frances
I wanted laser eye surgery because when I go travelling I want to see all the scenery and beautiful sites next year. Everyone made me feel very comfortable – David Gartry talked me through the whole operation as it was going on. The next morning I felt quite emotional my eyesight was already so much better.
Guy M
I met with Mr Gartry today for a check-up, and didn’t get the chance to say how very grateful I am to him, for his operation and the care he has provided to me over the years. I am extremely grateful for all he and his team have done for me. I could not have asked for a safer pair of hands, and I am delighted I embarked in treatment with him.
Peter M
I had LASIK surgery under Prof Gartry in 2010, in fact I had had PRK surgery on my left eye in the early nineties elsewhere which wasn’t completely satisfactory, however the left eye retreatment with LASIK and the new treatment on my right eye has restored good vision overall and I am very pleased with the result. I have been able to return to private flying as the CAA allows LASIK surgery for pilots. I would have no hesitation in recommending Professor Gartry and his team to anyone contemplating refractive surgery, the whole process was efficient and the patient care excellent.
Mary H
My experience of Moorfields as a patient was very positive. I was scared of having the refractive laser treatment; however, the staff in the clinic and treatment unit were so reassuring and had such a positive and professional manner I felt confident I was in the care of competent staff. The whole experience was wonderful and please pass on my grateful thanks to all the staff. A very happy patient.
Catherine H
I keep telling people that apart from being able to see again, it seems like nothing has happened; the procedure was so effortless and the recovery so quick. However, this really doesn’t do justice to your skill and the incredible technology that made it happen
Carolyn F
It is amazing to wake up each morning with the gift of sight. I have not stopped singing my praises for you and your team and boring everyone with how fantastic it is to be able to see unaided. Thank you so much for this and the kindness you showed me – it certainly was above and beyond! I cannot believe how wonderful it is to be able to see. You are amazingly talented.
V.G
As my eyes have now settled down and are accustomed to bright sunlight I just wanted to thank you so much for your care and skill in giving my eyes a new lease of life. I am absolutely delighted with the result. I have been waiting until the evenings have begun to draw in a little, before writing to you, having now driven in unlit areas in the dark. I feel so much more confident, but still often reach for my glasses when I get into the car and then realise that I didn’t need them any longer!
