Professor Dan Reinstein is the Medical Director of the London Vision Clinic, and a world-renowned laser eye surgeon, with over 25 years under his belt.
He also adds to his accolades a status as one of the 10 best eye surgeons in the UK, based on thousands of patient reviews on Lasik Eyes since 2002.
So is he right for you? Every one of the top-rated surgeons on Lasik Eyes has ample surgical experience and bedside manner. But your best match will need to be within a price range you feel comfortable with.
☝ If you would like to discuss your options with an eye expert, you can find the top-rated eye surgery clinic near you using our simple tool here, and book a free consultation.
1. Qualifications and Training
Training doesn’t come much more impressive than with Professor Reinstein. He’s a Cambridge graduate with a raft of professorships in New York and Paris, and ophthalmological certification in the USA and Canada. His specialist training includes:
- 1991: Research Fellowship in Ophthalmic Epidemiology (Institute of Ophthalmology, London).
- 1994: Fellowship in Ophthalmology (The Weill Medical College, Cornell University, New York).
- 1996: Residency in Ophthalmology (Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York).
- 1997: Refractive Surgical Fellowship under laser eye surgeons Zaldivar, Arbelaez, Chacon, and Barraquer.
- 1999: Fellowship in Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery (University of British Columbia, Canada).
2. Innovations
Pioneering the Artemis scanner
It was at Cornell University in New York than Professor Reinstein identified the importance of ultrasound in scanning the eye surface (cornea) to within 1/1000 of a millimetre. He then paved the way for even safer eye surgery by building the the Artemis™ scanner, which he claims is now the most accurate eye scanner worldwide.
Working to the highest possible standards
Professor Reinstein next took up post as the Chief Medical Officer, leading 58 laser eye surgeons in 28 clinics across the USA. Together this team helped correct the vision of over 100,000 people every year. Ever the innovator, Dan Reinstein created a culture where each surgeon shared their experiences, so that the group could continue to improve, and strive for the best possible outcomes.
Making the patents for laser eye surgery
But Dan Reinstein’s contribution to laser eye surgery did not stop there. He went on to join the specialist ophthalmic team at Meditec, where he co-developed the MEL 80 laser. This piece of tech redefined the industry, setting a new precedent for what laser eye surgery could achieve.
Areas of expertise
Today, Professor Reinstein works closely with his colleague at the London Vision Clinic, Mr Glenn Carp, where they treat patients using the latest equipment and highest standard of care. He has specialised in laser eye surgery for over a decade, including LASIK, LASEK and SMILE treatment.
3. Prices
Dan Reinstein’s prices for laser eye surgery are between £2,600 and £3,250 per eye, depending on whether you receive standard or high profile refractive eve surgery. Customers with higher eye prescriptions will tend to prefer the more advanced – and costlier – options, which can cater for more complex needs.
| Treatment | Cost (both eyes) | Finance Plans |
|---|---|---|
| Standard ReLEx SMILE, LASIK, PRK / LASEK | £5,200 | £392 / month (12 months, 0% APR) or £196 / month (24 months, 0% APR) |
| High profile ReLEx SMILE, LASIK, PRK / LASEK | £6,500 | £500 / month (12 months, 0% APR) or £250 / month (24 months, 0% APR) |
There are also interest-free finance plans on offer, starting at £196 a month for two years. Whilst providing 0% interest for 24 months is generous, it’s worth noting that rival clinics such as Optical Express and Optegra offer pay monthly options from around £50 a month for two years.
And how do these prices compare? Actually, not so well. The average cost of laser eye surgery in the UK is between £1,000 and £3,000 per eye – so you can see these prices are on the high end. That said, given that few laser eye surgeons are more experienced than Professor Reinstein, his costs are no less than what your would expect.
In general, laser eye surgery is cheaper compared to the costs of lens replacement surgery because it is a less risky procedure, and you spare the costs of implantable contact lenses. That means there’s less reason to feel obliged to pay through the nose – and you should never pay more than you are comfortable with.
4. Dan Reinstein Review: The Verdict
So, is Professor Reinstein the right eye surgeon for you? Of course, that all depends on where you live, and what you’re looking for.
If you are on the hunt for laser eye surgery, he is a pioneering and highly qualified eye surgeon. But as you might expect, such expertise will cost you, and in this case it’ll be around twice what other well-reviewed clinics are charging.
☝ 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.
Joy Williams
Dr Reinstein was recommended to me by a friend who had already had surgery at this clinic and he lived up to the recommendation! He is very personable and made me feel comfortable asking questions and about the entire procedure. As well, I was put at ease over having voluntary surgery in large part due to Dr. Reinstein’s obvious experience and professionalism.
Pauline Taplin
Original prescription: +3.50 = long sighted. I am a scientific lab technician. I came in to see Prof Reinstein because I wanted my long sightedness, which blurred both my near and distance vision. He did the most thorough eye exam that I have ever had in my life, and after this, told me that I had a tumour that seemed benign in the back of my eye. Clearly I was quite surprised. He sent me to a specialist for the back of the eye that afternoon (the retina) to confirm that these were benign. I saw Mr. Graham Duguid, who confirmed Prof Reinstein’s findings. I hardly had time to worry about anything before I was reassured 100%!! We proceeded with the surgery. Prof Reinstein’s manner, the way he talks you through the steps of the procedure made me feel very much at ease. The procedure did not hurt at all and the next day I was seeing 20/15 (better than 20/20). As sometimes happens with long sighted treatments my eyes shifted back a little over the next 3 months (10% of eyes with my prescription are the statistics for Prof Reinstein’s practice – he gives these to you). Prof Reinstein suggested an enhancement, for which I was a little more nervous. But again, he made me feel very good and within a minute or two I was put totally at ease by his bedside manner, which is so important. The next day I was able to see the smallest print up close, and the 20/20 line at the distance. I’m just ecstatic with the results and would recommend this to anyone!! Pauline Taplin
Margaret Harrison
Other companies I rang told me that laser could not help me because my eyes had deteriorated through age. An article in the Daily Express talked about a procedure called CK that could help me read again without glasses. When I came up for the free consultation, I was told that I was a candidate for either LASIK or CK, which I didn’t know as I had been told that laser could not help.I couldn’t decide which one to have. I thought I should have the CK because it seemed less invasive even though it took longer to recover. But on reviewing the safety data that you showed me on your LASIK results, I was filled with confidence and chose the procedure that would give me the quickest visual recovery. On the day, I was apprehensive because of the description of the procedure but it was much less scary than I thought. Actually, I really enjoyed the experience of the treatment. It didn’t hurt, and you talked me thought each step, so that I wasn’t afraid of what was coming next. During the actual laser, I found the lights really soothing – in fact, it was really beautiful much like looking into a child’s kaleidoscope!I had no discomfort at all after the surgery and had a good nights rest. The next morning, still no pain. When I got up, the first thing I noticed was that I was able to read the small print on the medicine boxes! I could read the instructions on the chart I was given! You examined me and found that I was reading “N5” – which is the smallest print. I therefore went straight back to work (although I would have loved to have an excuse to take a day off!). I would completely recommend this to my friends and family!Margaret Harrison, Harrow.
Rebecca Petris
Dr Reinstein is exceptionally qualified and compassionate in dealing with patients who suffer from complications of laser eye surgeries or problematic visual outcomes. I have been seeing him for about a year and a half and feel that he is both better informed technically, and more understanding practically, of optical problems induced by laser vision correction. Additionally, he has the most sophisticated diagnostic equipment (including VHF digital ultrasound) available today.I am a finance professional by day but as a hobby I do some low-key patient advocacy work for people in the UK with problems from laser eye surgeries (my website is at www.lasermyeye.org). I often consult Dr Reinstein on technical matters and when I meet patients who need a detailed assessment or second opinion, he is the one I most trust to look after them.
Mei Ling Simons
I thought I'd share my experience of laser eye surgery performed by Professor Reinstein back in July this year. I'm a mother of 4 and used to be a practising barrister before I took early retirement!What prompted me to have my eyesight corrected - well, the reason was quite personal - I felt I needed to improve my appearance and feel better about myself after I discovered that my husband of 16 years was about to leave me for a 27 year old! Having decided it was better to spend serious money on this rather than say a holiday or a car or diamonds, I checked out every outlet offering this service. I did my research thoroughly and I must say that even from the outset, the London Vision Clinic had always been at the top of my list. What really swung it was the professionalism from my first tentative enquiry - the person who I spoke to was very knowledgeable about the procedure and all the different stages I would encounter.The service was faultless and the result is that I have better than 20/20 vision. The immediate after care service was also superb - right down to the personal phone call from Professor Reinstein 4 hours after the surgery about my condition. So I definitely recommend him and his team to anyone considering having this done!
Lisa B
I would recommend Professor Reinstein to anyone who considers laser eye surgery, or is experiencing complications as a result of previous eye surgery. My brother had RK (micro surgery) performed on one of his eyes in 2004 and suffered severe halos, starbursts and blurring as a result. The halos and starbursts made it impossible for him to drive at night time.I contacted all eye clinics/surgeons I could come across in the hope that something could be done and the only surgeon I could find who was able to assist (or was willing to operate on an eye where RK had previously been performed for that matter) was Professor Reinstein.It took a couple of procedures to correct the eye where RK (micro surgery) had previously been performed and the eye which had not been operated on was perfect after one procedure.My brother's initial prescription was -6.0 on the right and -5.75 on the left eye and thanks to Professor Reinstein and his team he now enjoys better than 20/20 vision on both eyes and is no longer experiencing problems with halos or starbursts.The service at the London Vision Clinic is very professional and friendly. Professor Reinstein is exceptionally qualified, experienced and dedicated and he personally followed up with calls after each operation to monitor my brother's condition.
josephine sharples
Excellent service and an equally excellent surgeon. before I went to London Vision Clinic, I went to one of the High Street firms and I was told that I could not have the laser corrective surgery and was offered intra ocular lens implants. I suffered from miopia and astigmatism, however, I ended up doing the laser op at the London Vision Clinic and my vision is 20/20 now. I have had no complications and I am now very happy. If one is looking for a top notch clinic, than this is one of the very best.
Mrs Jayne Sproson
Since undergoing laser eye surgery with Professor Reinstein in June 2010, I have attempted to write a testimonial that would truly reflect my respect and gratitude to him for my care and the frankly miraculous results. I fail in this completely but will attempt to articulate this as best I can. Please do not under estimate the care and skill that this incredible gentleman offers.As a business consultant in the private healthcare sector I must make it very clear I am an extremely demanding patient, both in terms of non-clinical and clinical patient experience. There wasn’t ever a point in my experience that did not achieve my high expectations.I would not in a million years ever contemplate going to the High Street for such an important procedure. At London Vision Clinic everything is outstanding – the equipment; the customer care; the environment; the staff training, systems and processes; the culture and of course the results. I now use the London Vision Clinic as an example to my clients of what they could achieve.The results were literally life changing for me. For nearly 40 years my life had been dictated by extreme myopia (my prescription was -12.5!) I now have 20/20 vision. I can see as soon as I open my eyes in the morning. I no longer struggle with water sports, driving, travelling, trying to follow a golf ball, putting eye make up on, reading laundry instructions, or find some specs that wouldn’t reduce my eyes to almost slits due to the prescription – awful!What did it mean to me? Comfort, convenience and confidence and I needed to have absolute trust and confidence in the surgeon operating. I was so thrilled with the care and results, I recently paid for my youngest daughter to undergo surgery, as I didn’t want her to miss out on opportunities as I did, due to being so short sighted.I guess you could now class me as a raving fan of London Vision Clinic and Professor Reinstein. I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending the London Vision Clinic to you.
Vanessa
I am so happy with every aspect of the treatment I have received from London Vision Clinic, really glad I chose to go there. After 3 years deliberating and comparing surgeons and clinics I definitely made the right choice. I have had blended vision treatment which took about 2 months to adjust to as one eye is adjusted for distance and the other for reading. The first few weeks after treatment were totally pain free but I was very aware of having one blurred eye all the time. Now 4 months down the line I can honestly say that I rarely notice it is only in low light situations that I am ever aware of the difference between eyes. This procedure is genius as it means I (at the age of 47) need neither reading or distance glasses. The operation itself was totally pain free and I had no problems post- surgery either. I felt so relaxed on the day of the op because after all the checks and procedures and the meeting with Prof. Reinstein I was certain I was in really safe hands. Although it may cost more than some other providers I would advise it is absolutely worth it. I am so glad I chose the best! Brilliant
Niki
I've been wanting eye surgery for years but been to scared but wearing contact lenses was getting harder for me as my eyes were always so dry that i just couldnt wear them all that often. Professor Reinstein was highly recommended to me and having now had the surgery I can see why - the service was amazing so thorough and the b4 and aftercare has been amazing! My vision is better than 20-20 and my original prescription was -5 in both eyes! My life has changed dramatically since the operation (which didn't hurt in the slightest) i cannot recommend it enough and would say yes it's expensive but I wouldn't go anywhere else as know lots of people who paid less who have had lots of vision and eye problems. I was told that as I had very dry eyes and to have key hole laser surgery as the after effects are much less drying and that has honestly been the case - my eyes are not too dry and I can see perfectly! I would highly recommend the London vision clinic
