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
Olaf Cramme
Great experience from start to finish. Brilliant result. Many thanks Prof. Gartry and team.
Vicki Plume
Had surgery in Oct 2011 & wish I hadn't kept putting it off for so many years. Service first class from start to finish. So quick & easy & perfect vision. The ability to read the clock as soon as I sat up from the op was breathtaking (albeit foggy!). Still amazed every morning when I wake & can see! Would completely recommend.
Musaab Alabidi
I knew from all the literature I had read on various websites that an important factor in the degree of sight I could expect from the femtosecond laser procedure with multifocal lenses for the correction of cataracts, was the preparation and positioning of the replacement lenses. I feel obligated to write to thank you as the excellent result of my cataract surgery is, I feel, attributed to your skills and experience as a surgeon.
Rosalind Allen
Just a note to thank you for my ‘new eyes’. I am very thankful for them and I am sure all other drivers in the local vicinity are thankful too! This new technology certainly sets Descartes views on colour in a new light! Thanks once again for the ‘safe hands’ op. I have heard horror stories which have made me even more happy with my own outcome.
Mark L
I had a consultation with David GARTRY back in October 2012, with a view to thinking that if anything could be done to improve the sight in my lazy left eye, it would be more than welcome, due to having a job that required it, but more importantly because I never really liked wearing my glasses and I just wanted the vision in my left eye to be a lot closer to that of my good right eye. I’ve had the weak left eye for as long as I can remember, so, when I went along I wasn’t really expecting too much, even though my mother had already had a different type of operation performed by Mr Gartry, which was a complete success! I went along and met Mr Gartry, who was extremely courteous, professional and above all else someone who could answer my questions and importantly put you at ease. He did this and honestly stated that my left eye would never be perfect (due to being lazy), but it would be an improvement over how it was at that time (I could barely read the top letter of the eye test chart with it, I tell you!). On chatting to David, I had no hesitation in wanting to book the operation (intraLASIK), which was also perfectly laid out and very well explained (including aftercare) in the concise litterateur that you are also supplied with prior to deciding anything, as no pressure was ever applied at any time in regards to having any work done. Trust me, everything helps and I should know, as I’m extremely squeamish when it comes to my eyes! So, on the day of the actual operation (17/11/12) nothing came as a complete surprise and despite Mr Gartry having to battle against my left eye’s extremely strong reflexes, all went well as planned and it was over before you even had time to think about it. It was a very comfortable procedure, lasting merely a few minutes. I just had a 3 month check up and with my left eye only, I can now easily read down to the fourth line and some of the fifth line (6/12) on the chart. It (my left eye) also seems to be improving even more, as time has gone on. It’s a massive improvement, I am so happy and very grateful to Mr Gartry and so, so thrilled with the results of this surgery like you cannot believe and would recommend it to anyone that wants to improve their vision, whether that can be to perfect 20:20 vision (or better) or just like me a gigantic step forward from a pretty much useless left eye to one that I can now use to read or drive! It was worth every penny and much, much more! Fabulous, the entire staff from Mr Gartry, to all the assistants, nurses and secretary Zoe, who I might add was brilliant when it came to fitting and booking in everything to suit my own personal time-frame needs (due to being a shift worker) were absolutely AWESOME. The way they care for you and the attention you receive from start to finish is exemplary. Thank you very, very much. There’s only one thing left to say, “If you want the best, then you go to the best. David Gartry and his team are exactly that, no question about it.”
Laila K
I was a little concerned after my initial Lasik but reassured by Mr Gartry that a retreat after 3 months would resolve any issues. Am happy to say it did! Waking up in the morning and being able to see is amazing!! Thank you very much.
Agustin Garcia
There isn’t a day goes by when I don’t remember the extremely poor vision I suffered for such a long time and more importantly your wise recommendation that I should go ahead with the operations and await the results; I think it was a decision which has changed not only my life, but the lives of those around me. Thank you Mr Gartry.
A few days after the second operation when the amazing outcome became apparent it was very difficult for me to explain to other people how incredible it was for me to ‘see the world’ again. Even now, every day, I am still surprised and amazed!
I would like to thank you for your kindness with which you treated me at all times and for your expertise which led to such a successful outcome – truly an ‘amazing job!’ I would be very grateful if you could pass on my gratitude to all the personal in your team, Dr M.Minihan, Dr N. Pritchard, the optometrists, your secretary MS J.Maritz and all the nurses for their care and patience.
Philip S
Very happy with the care and treatment from Prof. Gartry and his team and thrilled with the results. Thanks.
Nick Dearnley
I would like to thank you for all your medical expertise and work that you and your team has carried out on my cataract operation and follow up laser treatment. I am truly grateful for all the work and aftercare treatment, it has made a considerable difference to my vision. Thank you so much.
T Ramsay
The next day my vision was crystal clear, was very surreal. To see all the veins on the trees, the dew on the grass – it was pretty amazing. I think it is totally worth doing – it is a fairly huge choice to make but once you get through the nerves it is totally worthwhile.
S Konrad
From start to finish arriving at the hospital was about an hour. It was a little bit uncomfortable at times but overall it was really fine. The day after treatment my eyes were brilliant – it was just like looking at the world with my glasses but without my glasses! I could see the bottom line on the eye test at my check up which was very pleasing to hear, my eyes feel great, I’m very happy.
