Review of Moorfields Eye Surgery
Moorfields Eye Hospital enjoys a global reputation for providing world-class laser eye surgery.
Moorfields Private is the private arm of the renowned Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and offers ophthalmic care to patients seeking a vast range of treatments for both common and complex eye health conditions.
Today, Moorfields has a number of clinics around London – located in the City, the West End, Bedford and Croydon – and treats around 400,000 outpatients and 30,000 inpatients each year.
☀ Pros: World-class reputation, highly experienced eye surgeons, central London locations, advanced technology
☂ Cons: No fixed prices (fixed by the surgeons), no monthly payment options, no free consultation
☝ Compare clinics: See if there are any other top-rated clinics near you, and use our simple tool to receive a personalised quote.
Our no-nonsense review of Moorfields Private and Moorfields NHS Eye Hospital covers:
- Moorfields Private Eye Hospital
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Moorfields laser eye surgery cost
- What laser eye surgeries are offered?
- Moorfields’ best consultants
- Moorfields laser eye surgery reviews
- The Verdict
1. Moorfields Private Eye Hospital
For patients who fail to meet NHS requirements, or for those looking for treatments left off NHS checklists (such as refractive surgery for the average glasses-wearer), Moorfields Private is a viable option.
Private laser eye treatments at Moorfields include the most common surgeries such as PRK, LASEK and LASIK, as well as specialist procedures for more complex conditions. Private patients also benefit from Wavefront guided surgeries, which tend to have higher success rates due to greater laser accuracy.
In addition to providing high quality treatment and aftercare, many patients like to know that the profits from Moorfields Private are used to fund the Moorfields Eye Charity, Friends of Moorfields, which supports critical new research and quality eye care for children and adults.
2. Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
If you happen to suffer from a select range of debilitating eye conditions that cannot be treated by contact lenses or glasses (such as cataracts or glaucoma), you may be one of the few people who qualify for laser eye surgery on the NHS.
Moorfields’ NHS Eye Hospital is there for these patients, but for the vast majority of us, Moorfields Private has its door open.
3. Moorfields Laser Eye Surgery Cost
While NHS treatment is free, at Moorfields Private prices will apply to all consultations and surgeries.
Laser eye surgery costs at Moorfields start at £2,000 per eye for common laser eye surgery such as LASIK or LASEK. These prices rise to between £3,000 and £4,000 per eye for more complex procedures including cataract surgery.
An initial consultation at Moorfields is around £150, and the private prices will depend on the eye surgeon you choose. That’s because the laser eye consultants are employed by Moorfields, and set their own fees.
Consultation costs
- Consultation: £150 – £200
Patients considering laser eye surgery usually book one to two consultations prior to receiving treatment. You can book your first appointment on the Moorfields Private website.
Treatment costs (per eye)
- LASIK or LASEK eye surgery: £2,000 – £2,500
- Refractive lens exchange (RLE) or cataract surgery: £3,000 – £4,000
- ICL implantation surgery: £3,000 – £4,000
Other costs
In addition to these costs, you may also need to consider covering your potential stay in the hospital for private treatment. Moorfields Private hospital fees tend to range from £900 to £1800, depending on the procedure.
However, recovery times vary, and many eye treatments allow you to leave following the surgery. Naturally, there are no hospital fees for NHS patients.
Other options?
Moorfields Private Hospital offers some of the latest laser and implantable contact lens treatments performed by world-class consultant eye specialists, and these prices reflect the clinic’s high standards.
However, if these costs are outside your budget, or you would like to compare them with other leading laser eye surgery clinics in the UK, click here to fill in a few details, and talk directly to a trusted clinic to compare their quotes and services.
To see how other eye laser surgery clinics compare with Moorfields Private, just click here to use our simple quote tool, and receive a tailored quote from any trusted clinics near you.
Paying for treatment
Opting for laser eye surgery is a financial commitment for most people, and Moorfields offers three ways of paying for your treatment:
- Private Medical Insurance – If you are covered by private healthcare, Moorfields asks that you try to verify these details before your first appointment, and obtain your pre-authorisation number.
- Self pay – Many patients pay for their own treatment, with no private insurance needed.
- Third party sponsorship – If a third party (such as your employer) has agreed to settled your account, make sure you acquire a letter of guarantee along with a deposit.
Read more: Laser eye surgery costs explained
4. Laser Eye Surgery Treatments
Moorfields Private Eye Hospital provides over 100 vision correction treatments for adults and children of all ages.
Here are some of the most requested types of laser eye surgery treatments:
- LASIK: The most common treatment to correct eye conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
- LASEK: A surface laser treatment that is suitable for patients with thinner corneas (eye surfaces).
- Cataract surgery: A refractive lens exchange (RLE), which is an option for those in the “reading glasses” age group.
- ICL surgery: Implants that work like permanent contact lenses are common for younger people, or patients with medical dry eye conditions.
Moorfields Private Hospital usually performs laser sight correction surgery to both eyes on the same day, but with cataract surgery and ICL implantation, most surgeons prefer to leave a week between operating on each eye for their patients’ comfort.
5. Moorfields’ Top Surgeons
Moorfields Private and Moorfields Eye Hospital claim their ophthalmic surgeons and consultants are some of the best in Britain, and six Moorfields Private surgeons were recently named in the Daily Mail’s top doctors list.
Within the industry, Moorfields is also the go-to for ophthalmic expertise: a recent Moorfields report shows that over half of all registered ophthalmic surgeons in the UK received their training there. Not surprisingly, many Moorfields consultants also completed their training onsite.
Plus, based on hundreds of unfiltered reviews from former patients, Moorfields hosts some of the top-rated laser eye surgeons in the UK.
Here are the five best consultants at Moorfields, as voted by you:
- Mr David Gartry: As one of the first surgeons worldwide to perform laser eye surgery, they don’t come more experienced than Mr Gartry.
- Mr Julian Stevens: Mr Stevens is an advisor to the British Society for Refractive Surgery, and is recognised globally as an expert opinion leader in laser eye surgery.
- Mr Bruce Allan: Mr Allan had been the Service Director for Refractive Surgery at Moorfields since 2012.
- Ms Valerie Saw: Ms Saw’s interests lie in inflammation and scarring of the eye, and she regularly treats patients for dry eyes and conjunctivitis.
- Mr Alexander C. W. Ionides: Since 1989, Mr Ionides has specialised in cataract and refractive lens surgery for both long and short sighted conditions.
Read more: Laser Eye Surgeon reviews
6. Independent reviews of Moorfields Private Eye Hospital
Moorfields consistently receive fantastic customer reviews, making them one of the highest rated laser eye providers in the UK. Click here to read their customer reviews below.
Moorfields Eye Hospital Private Clinic is also featured as one of Lasik Eye’s best laser eye surgery clinics in the UK, as well as shining in our list of the best laser eye surgery in London for partnering with some of the most renowned surgeons.
What makes Moorfields Eye Hospital so popular?
- History – Moorfields Eye Hospital first opened in London in 1805, and is now one of the oldest and best reviewed eye hospitals in the world.
- Ophthalmic Research – Moorfields has spent over 200 years researching and providing the latest laser eye surgery and implantable contact lens treatments, in partnership with the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.
- Cutting-edge technology – Moorfields Private is a flagship location for laser and implant manufacturers. Its surgeons are therefore able to choose from the latest state-of-the-art laser eye equipment and non-invasive techniques like Intralase technology.
- Patient care – The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rates Moorfields Eye Hospital as ‘outstanding’ for care in their latest inspection report.
But is Moorfields Eye Hospital right for you?
Not everyone is best suited to Moorfields: as you would expect, world-class laser eye surgery often comes with an eye-watering price tag.
- Expensive treatments – Although patients tend to leave rave reviews, LASEK eye surgery costs on average £2,235 per eye at Moorfields Private, but between £595 and £1,595 per eye at other leading high street eye clinics such as Optical Express.
- No free consultations – Moorfields Private is one of the few laser eye clinics in the UK not to offer free initial consultations: you can expect to pay between £150 and £200, depending on the surgeon you see.
Next Steps: Find the Top-Reviewed Clinic Near You
Compare Moorfields Private with the highest independently reviewed eye laser clinics near you – see if you’re eligible for 20/20 vision or your money back, and receive your very own personalised quote.
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Next steps: Our simple tool helps our readers every day get one step closer to 20/20 vision:
- Find a top clinic near you: Answer three questions to be matched with the leading eye clinic in your area
- Check you’re eligible in minutes: Receive a quick call to check you can get surgery (we will never share your number with anyone else)
- Receive a tailored quote: Talk to an expert at a clinic you can trust for a free eye test (worth £800) and personalised quote (with no obligation)
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Moorfields Surgeons Reviews
Mr Alexander C W Ionides
BSc FRCOphth MD.
Mr Vincenzo Maurino
Mr Bruce Allan
MD FRCS FRCOphth
Mr Stephen Tuft
Professor David S Gartry
MD, FRCS, FRCOphth, DO, BSc(Hons)
Mr Julian Stevens
MRCP, FRCS, FRCOphth,DO
Moorfields Eye Hosptial Reviews
J K
I had lasik surgery 9 months ago and am living with a constant sore painful left eye due to dryness. My life has dramatically changed as I am living with constant soreness and pain. Although the laser itself was a complete success in the fact I have 20 20 vision, I would rather go back to wearing my glasses and feeling normal. My eye is the bane of my life, as I cannot forget about it. I suffered with this eye when I used to wear contact lenses, and I explained this at the time, but this is why most people opt for having surgery because of contact lens intolerance. I am constantly using expensive eye drops, drink lots of water, take eye vitamins, use eye gel at night, and live in hope that it one day will be better. If anyone has experienced this or has any advice, please e mail me. Oh yes forgot to mention I got conjunctivitis 5 weeks after surgery which was treated with antibiotics, so I have also in mind this has cause some damaged. I feel very low and wish I could turn the clock back 9 months ago
Doug Reid
Was scheduled for LASIK with Mr Allan at end of Feb. Had a call on Monday 3rd to tell me there was a cancellation for 4th. I took it and can now read the bottom line on the chart with ease. I was -6.5 in one eye and -5.5 in the other. Painless procedure, minor discomfort and pain later. Minor haloes around lights in the evening.
Irene Frendo
About eighteen months after I had lasik my left eye (previously -8.50) began regressing rather rapidly form -1.- with about .50 astigmatism to -3.25 with 2 astigmatism within a few months. My right eye has regresses slightly but not significantly. Has anyone experienced anything like this? I am particularly surprised as it happened so long after treatment. I am at the moment looking into the possibility of successful re-treatment.
Bharat Mulani
hi my son who is 5 yrs old his has no left eye(eye not developed) right eye is ok vision is ok i am interested in installing artifical eye in left eye pl advise me. bharat.
Doug Reid
Now 3 weeks since procedure and night time haloes have gone completely.
Linda Boxall
Had surgery with Mr Gartry at Moorfields on 3rd Feb 2003. I was –2 in both eyes, with astigmatism. The surgery was quick and although uncomfortable, was NOT painful. Eyes a bit gritty afterwards, but by the evening I could see perfectly and now, four weeks on I have 20:20 vision and have encountered no problems at all. Going for post check up in a couple of weeks. I cannot begin to describe how wonderful it is not to wear glasses/lenses anymore. Just waking up and being able to see – and everything so crystal clear – its amazing. I was driving the other day and it got really sunny – so I just reached down and put on my husband’s sun-glasses – no scrabbling around for prescription sunglasses!! It sounds naff, but it really feels like a miracle! I cannot recommend Mr Gartry enough – if you want to discuss, feel free to mail me.
Paul Field
had LASIK on Weds 19th March with Miss Linda Ficker. My previous concerns about pain during the operation were needless. the process can be best described as "wierd", with evrything happening quite lierally, in front of your eyes, but with no pain or even discomfort. Miss Ficker was very good in keeping me informed and we talked all the way through the procedure, which takes about 2 minutes in total, for each eye. Laser time was about 12-13 seconds for my prescription of -2.5 per eye. My follow up visit the next day was with her "fellow" Tom Poole, who described Miss Ficker's work as "beautiful". Even with my natural cynicism, I have no pain, no bloodshot eyes, fantastic vision and even under close scrutiny, there are no marks on my eyes whatsoever. I am absolutely thrilled with the results. It won't be the first time that you have ever heard this phrase, but you get what you pay for. Thanks to Linda Ficker and her team.
Robert Webster
I had laser surgery at Moorfield Eye Hospital on both eyes on Tuesday 25th March, 2003. My surgeon was Mr Bruce Allan. I am in the early stages of adjustment but can report a very positive experience. I thought that the pre-surgical testing & consultations were thorough & efficiently conducted with the surgeons being at pains to provide explanations & respond to questions. I raised an enquiry about pre-existing night vision problems & was referred for further tests before surgery was confirmed: Wavefront analysis. I believe that the data from this test was used at least in part in my eventual surgery. Going in I had -3.75 vision in both eyes with an astigmatism in my left eye. The procedure is completely painless & surprisingly short. That said it is not something on which I would choose to reflect upon at any length. Main point is that it is of short duration & I felt absolutely no pain. It is worth resting up immediately afterwards until the drops & procedure has settled. Get collected by a friend/ partner if you can as this will be one less thing to worry about. I had surgery mid-morning & my vision was starting to come back by the early afternoon. It is a joy to be able to see vividly after years of dependency on contacts & spectacles. By the next day I had good vision: car number plates; shop fronts; posters all seeming clearer than I had enjoyed for years. My eyes felt a residual tiredness though as if the adjustment was creating a bit of a strain. My three day test was uneventful; I was clearly in excess of the standard required for driving & was also told that I would not require any further surgery to improve my vision. It was fun to race through the sight chart & make out rows that had previously been incomprehensible to me. The surgeon told me that my vision would shift about for several days after the surgery and that my eye tiredness was to be expected. I will revert with news & reflections on the next 5 weeks. 6 week test is the next assessment & I hope
Chris Cobb
I recently had LASIK surgery performed by Mr Gartry on 22nd March and am extremely pleased with the results. My prescription was -6.5 and -7.5. It is now to very nearly the same as it was corrected with glasses/lenses. Two days after the op I could read the second from bottom line with my right eye and the third from bottom with the left. I am suffering from hazing around any bright lights (especially at night) but I understood this could happen and it will hopefully clear up in the next few weeks. The procedure was really quick and completely painless. I was nervous before surgery but was reassured seeing the person in for surgery before me. He walked out of the theatre with a smile on his face and his eyes only looked slightly red. During the procedure Mr Gartry talked me through exactly what he was doing and how long things would last. I had about 45-50 secs. laser treatment on each eye. Everything was pretty blurred for the rest of the day, although I did manage to watch the rugby on TV! The next day things were much better (probably around 90% of how they are now) and improved slightly every day for the next week. I'm so glad that I've had LASIK surgery, it really has made a huge difference to my life. I just wish I'd had it done it earlier!
Ian Taylor
I had Lasik surgery with Dr. Gartry on Monday 7th April 2003. My presciption was -7.25 with 1.25 of astigmatism in each eye. I researched both Moorfields and Dr. Gartry beforehand and decided that if anything was to go wrong it was the right place with the right surgeon for fixing things up. I had my consultation with Dr. Gartry at his Harley Street surgery. I concur with a number of postings on this site. You have to go with a list of questions. He does not readily offer information but answers any question in a straight-forward and clear manner. I went to Moorfields for the operation at 08:15. They did the scans and tests 15 minutes before the operation. Two things to consider here that I was not ready for. 1. Dr. Gartry relies on the eyetest that you take with you from your optician. I just assumed he would do his own test as well so you need to be happy with the prescription you take with you. 2. As the corneal scan was done only a few minutes before the surgery I was actually lying in the laser machine chair before I was told that due to my prescription and the corneal thickness results (500 and 520) he was not able to fully correct my sight. He was able to correct -6.5 of the -7.25 which would leave me with a residual prescription of -0.5 to -0.75. I then had to make a snap decision whether to go ahead or not. I had not prepared for this eventuality. I recommend you decide what you would do if this or something similar was sprung on you. I decided to go ahead. I could end up needing glasses for close work but should be able to drive, play sport, etc. The operation was painless and not as bad as I had feared. It took less time and was less uncomfortable than getting a tooth filled. Dr. Garty was very good. He was obviously very competent, talked me through everything and conveyed the general air of someone who spends their life doing complex corneal surgery (which is his main job) and who performs laser surgery for light relief. Very comforting ! My sight was very hazy straight after the operation and I could not have hailed a taxi and caught a train without assistance. The haze cleared after a few hours leaving blurred vision. I sorted out the drops (3 different ones in each eye every two hours). Some prickling sensation in my eyes but no pain or other discomfort. I spent the rest of the day mainly resting with my eyes closed. The next day my sight was much better but still with some blurring. However I was able to train and taxi it back to Moorfields for the checkup on my own. Dr. Gartry proclaimed himself very happy with the results, said I was able to drive (not sure about this yet myself) and sent me off after about five minutes. Again he was happy to answer any question but did not volunteer a lot of information. He said my sight would continue to improve over the next month. As the correction was quite a lot it will take longer for my sight to settle down then if I had had a smaller correction. I went stright from the consultation to work for a three hour conference call. In retrospect this was probably too soon. This morning (2 days after the operation) my sight was less blurred again and is now good enough for me to post this article. I decided not to go into work but am able to pick up email, etc. from home. My eyes are not up to a day at the computer yet though. I may consider driving tomorrow. I'll post an update at the one week mark when the drops and the "sleep-inhibiting" goggles are done.
