With 20 years performing vision correction surgery under his belt, Mr Julian Stevens has been a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital since 1988.
The good news? Mr Stevens makes the list of the 10 best laser eye surgeons in the UK, based on thousands of patient reviews since 2002. Hundreds of former patients have left positive reviews, praising his surgical skill and caring manner.
Is there anything I should know? You’ve probably already guessed this, but Mr Stevens’s experience and prime London address also makes him one of the most expensive eye surgeons around. As with all Moorfields surgeons, his prices can be double that of competitors.
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 Julian Stevens
Julian Stevens won a scholarship to study Medicine at Merton College, University of Oxford, where he was then awarded a Postmaster scholarship. He graduated top of his year in 1980 and was awarded the Oxford University Prize in Medicine for the top First Class Honours Degree.
He continued his clinical medical training at Clare College, University of Cambridge and at the Cambridge Medical School. Higher training was undertaken at the Oxford Eye Hospital and Moorfields Eye Hospital, London.
2. Training
After completing his general ophthalmic surgical training, Mr Stevens undertook two years of sub-specialist training, with Fellowships in Lens, Corneal and then Refractive Surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital.
Mr Stevens was appointed as Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital in January 1996. His main interest is laser refractive surgery.
He has been involved in the development and application of wavefront refractive surgery and has personally performed over 10,000 wavefront procedures. Mr Stevens was the first Director of Refractive Surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital.
3. Qualifications
Mr Stevens joins Professor David Gartry in being one of the UK’s most qualified eye surgeons. He is an examiner for the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and holds the Certification of the Royal College in Laser Refractive Surgery. He is an advisor to the British Society for Refractive Surgery and is on the Board of the International Society of Refractive Surgery.
He has won prizes from both the American and the European Societies of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. He is the recipient of the 2007 American Academy of Ophthalmology (ISRS/ AAO) Lans award for innovation in refractive surgery.
Internationally recognised as an expert opinion leader, Mr Stevens has published peer reviewed papers on refractive surgery and is regularly invited to deliver keynote lectures at national and international ophthalmic meetings.
Mr Stevens trains Ophthalmic Surgeons in advanced refractive and cataract surgery. He founded the Moorfields basic and advanced IntraLASIK courses and the Moorfields wavefront training course for Ophthalmic Surgeons.
4. Patient Reviews
“My husband and I had lens replacement by Mr Stevens last year, and are both thrilled with our results. After years of wearing glasses, we feel liberated from them from the moment we wake up. I would personally recommend Mr Stevens, and would not hesitate to refer any of my family to see him when the necessity arises for them to seek eye treatment.” – June Clayton
“I had LASIK in 2005, performed by Mr Julian Stevens at Moorfields Eye Hospital. I have absolutely fantastic vision and it stills shocks me just how well I can see. The procedure was quick and painless, and Mr Stevens and his team made me feel at ease throughout the whole process.” – Rosie
“Mr Stevens was fairly brief in his pre-op time given for discussion but you could say, efficient and utterly knowledgeable. His junior doctors were not so well informed and one lady even fobbed me off with false information. His receptionists (especially Janet – a star) were much better informed. Overall I received all the answers I needed (I was annoyingly inquisitive) but had the sense that as a customer of an expensive and commercial procedure, time for chat was necessarily not huge. Delighted with the results.” – Andrew James
5. Prices
As you would expect at Moorfields Private, Mr Stevens does not come cheap.
Laser refractive surgery costs twice the quotes at other leading UK clinics, although the prices for lens replacement surgery are only around a third more, given the higher base cost of the lens itself.
- Consultation: £150 – £600
- Wavefront laser refractive surgery: £4,370 – £4,970
- Refractive lens surgery: £3,825 – £4,430 (per eye)
- Cataract surgery cost: £3,825 – £4,430 (per eye)
Unlike at many other clinics, initial consultations with Mr Stevens are not free – you’ll be paying between £150 and £600, depending on the surgery you’re interested in. If you would prefer to have the option to pay monthly for your surgery, it’s worth looking around, as Moorfields will need the full payment up front. At Optical Express or Ultralase, for instance, you could pay around £50 a month for two years.
6. The Verdict
So, is Mr Stevens 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 industry, but he can also justify them, as one of the UK’s most qualified surgeons.
You’d be in trusted hands with Mr Stevens. That said, with eye surgery considered a safe elective surgery by the General Medical Council (GMC), no one should feel obliged to spend any more than they are comfortable with. You can always attend free consultations with a range of surgeons to see where you feel most comfortable.
☝ 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 Julian Stevens Reviews
Rosie Ivison
Mr Stevens is charming, calm, and completely professional.
The operation was swift and painless. I have had no problems at all subsequently.
I am more than happy with the results.
Previously I had been needed stronger and stronger glasses to read. Now I don’t need any except very weak ones in dim light.
Everything is much brighter and clearer now, especially colours.
I am delighted with the results. Worth every penny.
Thank you Mr Stevens!
Sabin M Brooks
It is difficult to praise Julian Stevens and his team highly enough. I had always wanted laser surgery but was somewhat reticent and nervous about the procedure, particularly following detached retina surgery 6 years earlier. With my history and prescriptions of around -4 & -5 he advised me to undergo LASEK surgery. He and his team were patient, professional and kind...I truly felt like I had opted for the best surgeon at the best hospital in the world. The results bore this out - I am better than 20/20 in both eyes and delighted with the results. I had no hesitation recommending Julian to friends, family and work colleagues who are interested in a life without glasses :)
Sabin M Brooks
It is difficult to praise Julian Stevens and his team highly enough. I had always wanted laser surgery but was somewhat reticent and nervous about the procedure, particularly following detached retina surgery 6 years earlier. With my history and prescriptions of around -4 & -5 he advised me to undergo LASEK surgery. He and his team were patient, professional and kind...I truly felt like I had opted for the best surgeon at the best hospital in the world. The results bore this out - I am better than 20/20 in both eyes and delighted with the results. I had no hesitation recommending Julian to friends, family and work colleagues who are interested in a life without glasses :)
Peter C
Another satisified customer! Dr. Stevens and his team made all feel very routine and straightforward. My procedure and recovery were quick and as described to me beforehand. I'm now free of glasses and delighted with the results
Denise
I would highly recommend Julian Stevens if you are deciding on having laser eye surgery. His team make you feel so at ease and that you are without doubt in the safest hands. The whole procedure is over so quickly with no pain or no soreness, just a tad of discomfort.. My eyes are now better than 20/20 vision after having my 3 month check up. It amazing to be able to see after having -5.75 vision for ever!! I cannot praise Julian Stevens enough and felt totally comfortable and so pleased that i decided to go through him at Moorfields, there was really nothing for me to be worried about.
Mr Neil Dawson
I had Lasek eye surgery to both eyes in October 2010 following months of debating whether I should have it done. I had been wearing glasses and contact lenses for the last 15 years and was getting fed up with the inconveniences wearing them bring. I was a little apprehensive at having Laser surgery at first however, Julian put my mind at rest from the moment I met him at my first consultation - especially when he told me that the procedure would be pretty much straight forward in my case - He was 100% correct. I am very impressed (and relieved) with the results and wished I'd had it done sooner. Following surgery, I was expecting a couple of weeks of discomfort due to known after effects of having Lasek surgery. However, I must say that following surgery I only experienced a couple of days of discomfort although no need for any pain killers. This was probably more down to the standard of aftercare and amount of eye drops which had to be taken religiously for the 2 weeks following surgery.If anyone is thinking of having Laser Surgery, I would recommend that you go to Julian Stevens to have it done - I have recommended Julian to my sister who had her consultation earlier this week and has booked herself in to have her eyes done in March. Having surgery with Julian is not the cheapest but, you get what you pay for!!!!
Sadhna Naik
Amazing! I have been wearing glasses since the age of about 8 years old and I have just turned 40. I had quite a high prescription together with a very high astigmatism in one eye. I had laser eye surgery at the end of October 2010 and just had my 3 month consultation in January 2011 which confirmed that I had 20/20 vision...Fantastic. It took me over 12 months from reading the documentation received from Mr Julian Stevens to actually go ahead with the procedure. Best thing I ever did. I just wish I'd had the courage to undergo this surgery with Mr Stevens sooner. I most definitely recommend Mr Stevens and his team. They made me feel at ease with the whole procedure from beginning to end.
Mandi Ghattaora
I received the best care possible from Mr Stevens from my first consultation through to the follow up meetings after my surgery. I was quite nervous about going ahead as I had an uncomfortable eye allergy for about a year that no other Doctor was able to help me with - Mr Stevens helped to alleviate my condition immensely.Each consultation and meeting was thorough and professional and you are made to feel at ease. Straight after my first consultation I decided with confidence to have the surgery and it truly was the best decision I made. Mr Stevens has a wealth of knowledge and expertise and he immediately reassured me, leaving me with no doubts. The surgery itself was amazing, it lasted about 20 minutes, whilst you see what's going on, you feel no pain, just a little discomfort and as soon as it was over, I was able to see so much more clearly. My prescription was -3, I now have excellent 20/20 vision and would absolutely, highly recommend Mr Stevens and his team.
Ray Adams
After my consultation with Mr Stevens on 20th Dec 2010,he decided to implant multi-focal lenses with a 1.5 add.As I have early signs of age related macular disease (dry)this was the best lens Mr Stevens advised for now and also if the macular disease progressed,in the future.The outcome Mr Stevens believed would be good distance and middle focus with somewhat less near vision,probably needing glasses for some reading.My prescription before surgery was approx +3.5 r/eye and +6.25 l/eye with 2.25 add for reading.Multi focal glasses and multi focal contact lenses both corrected my eyes perfectly,contact lenses however started to cause a problem and could only safely be worn 2 days a week.Aged 61 I decided on lens implants after much thought and was very nervous of the outcome.After I had found and read about Mr Julian Stevens,he was the only surgeon I wanted.The result brilliant 50% better than 20/20 vision,with the bonus of perfect near vision,no glasses needed at all.The operations were peformed on 25th Jan 2011 r/eye and 1st Feb 2011 l/eye,there was no discomfort or pain at any time during or after the operations,my after clinic visit was on the 17th Feb 2011,all was well and I have no need to return,my drops finish today in my l/eye,my r/eye drops finished last week.Mr Stevens and his team,some names I know,Janet(PA),Nunu and Ulfat,gave me back perfect sight unaided by spectacles.Thank you so much Mr Stevens you are a gentleman and all your years of study and dedication have resulted in perfect vision for me.I recommend Mr Julian Stevens without any reservations.Ray Adams.
maisie rowe
incredible procedure.I now have better than 20/20 vision in one of my eyesthe experience was in line with having serious dental work done - ie uncomfortable and anxious, but no need to bring your mother!Mr Stevens chats away to keep your mind off it, so you just have to relax and "go into your safe place" until its over.you can tell straight away that your vision is now focussed and you leave your glasses at reception on the way out and they recycle them by sending them to a developing country for someone else to use. Then after a day or two of foggy vision - you can SEE WITHOUT YOUR GLASSES.magic.Thank you.
Sophie
I could not have had a better surgeon taking care of my eyes than Julian Stevens - he made me feel comfortable, relaxed and above all excited about the prospect of gaining perfect eyesight under his care. He took the time to make sure I had an answer to every one of my queries and has been absolutely brilliant and hands on from day one. I would not have entrusted my eyesight with anyone else. I cannot thank him enough!
