Focus is a well renowned, prestigious specialist laser eye clinic based in the London Harley Street medical enclave. It has a reputation for treating celebrities, and claims to have a 99.7% success rate (excluding very high prescriptions).
What makes it different? This is a consultant led clinic, meaning UK-trained eye surgeons combine their advanced surgical skills with the specially selected laser systems that are 100% committed to achieving 20/20 vision.
Is there anything to look out for? Yes, check what you are comfortable paying. Focus is one of the pricier options for vision correction, and the success rate barely differs from clinics that charge half the price.
1. Focus Eye Surgery Treatments
Focus has often led the way in terms of technology advancement over the years. It was the first clinic to correct reading vision using Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) radio waves, which uses radio waves rather than lasers to reshape the eye surface (cornea). The chief surgeon, Mr David Allamby, has performed more CK procedures than any other surgeon in the world.
Mr Allamby is also the first surgeon in the U.K to pioneer and perform the first Z-Lasik Blended Vision (another treatment for reading glasses). He remains at the forefront of specialist surgeons for presbyopia in the UK, and has provided surgical training to visiting surgeons worldwide.
So what’s on offer? The standard procedures at Focus include: Z-LASIK, LASEK and PRK (all with Wavefront technology). The clinic additionally specialises in these popular lens replacement surgeries: refractive lens exchange (RLE), implantable collamer lens (ICL), cataract surgery.
2. Focus Costs
Focus is one of the most expensive places in the UK for laser eye and lens replacement surgery, along with its friends on Harley Street: the London Vision Clinic and Moorfields Private (just around the corner).
Nearly 200 patients told us they paid on average £6,200 for laser eye surgery and £6,700 for lens replacement surgery at Focus. These prices are among the highest out there, and around double what you can pay elsewhere in the UK.
Laser eye surgery costs (both eyes):
- LASIK cost: £6,500
- LASIK specialist cost: £6,000
- LASIK blended vision: £5,400
Lens and cataract surgery costs (both eyes):
- Refractive lens exchange cost: £6,500
- Cataract surgery cost: £6,500 (standard lens) – £7,500 (premium lens)
- ICL surgery cost: £7,500
Then there’s the VIP Package for £12,000, all in. Focus doesn’t reveal what’s involved in this eye-watering price tag, so we’ll go out on a limb and say you may not find great value for money here.
Are there any hidden costs?
You’ll be please to learn that the quotes above are fixed prices, meaning you should avoid some nasty surprises. These costs include a generous 10-year guarantee, and initial consultations are free.
Interest-free finance options are also available, from £179.17 per eye per month, with a £500 deposit. Other clinics, however, offer monthly payment plans for around a quarter of the price.
So is it worth paying more?
Well, it may be if you are looking for: the most up-to-date ophthalmic tech, some of the UK’s most experienced surgeons, and being treated like a king in general. Plus, all procedures use Wavefront technology as standard: a slightly pricier add-on that improves the accuracy of the laser by measuring the eye’s exact measurements.
But don’t feel pressured into paying more than you feel comfortable with. Laser eye surgery is considered a safe procedure, with over 95% of people being satisfied or very satisfied with results, according to NICE. Optical Express, for example, is so confident of achieving 20/20 vision, it has a moneyback offer if you don’t. And prices there are half what they are at Focus Clinics on average.
3. Focus Review: The Verdict
FOCUS Clinics features as one of the best places for laser eye surgery in the UK. Plus, with friendly staff and a “Good” CQC rating, it also makes its way onto the list of the 10 best laser eye surgery clinics in London.
But is it right for you? Focus Clinics does offer plenty of excellent perks for the higher price tags: cutting-edge lasers, pioneering eye surgeons, and hard-to-fault customer service. That said, your money will also fund perks no one really needs: things like the prime Harley Street location, spa-like rooms, and VIP treatment.
Anyone looking to bag a bargain eye surgery should keep looking. Well-reviewed high street clinics such as Optical Express, Ultralase and Optimax might be a better fit if that’s the case.
☝ Ask the eye experts: To see if there is a better rated laser eye surgery provider near you, just click here to use our simple quote tool, and get a tailored quote from a clinic you can trust.
Surgeons
Focus Clinics Reviews
Tania Mann
Treatment was brilliant. Staff lovely. The next day I had better than 20/20 vision. Would recommend it to anyone.
Aurelie Blanchet
The customer service was excellent and the surgeon Doctor Ali Mearza was brilliant, very good at communicating with the patient. I would recommend this clinic. My eyesight is perfect now and the surgery was only yesterday. The surgery was fine and I felt pain for about an hour afterwards. Now I feel no pain at all.
Rachel Thomas
I had a consultation at Ultralase 3 years ago and was completely put off having surgery. It was very much a hard sell approach and didn't give me confidence that I would be able to see as well as with my Glasses/contacts as they said my prescription was quite high especially with the astigmatism(-5.5 & -4.5 and astigmatism -1.5 & -2.75) I gave up on the idea until I saw Dr Allamby on This Morning and this got me thinking about it again. I had a consultation in January and had the surgery on 31st March (2 weeks ago today) I had another consultation on the day of surgery with Dr Allamby and he explained the procedure and said that 10% of people with my prescription may need a top up at 3 months but this is all included in the price. It was only slightly painful for about half an hour after the anaesthetic wore off then the stinging eased. I went back to the hotel and slept for a couple of hours and felt much better afterwards but still aware of some grittiness. There were lots of drops to put in for a week and eye shields to wear every night which were a pain but I could see without my glasses so it was well worth it! I went back for the follow up the next day and Dr Allamby couldn't even see where the flap was. At my 1 week check I had a few worries that I couldn't see as sharply at distance as I expected especially when driving. I was told that my eyes were exactly as they should be after a week and that everything would settle in 2-3 months. My eyes are sometimes dry in the evenings but this is also improving every day. Since this appointment I've actually seen a lot better so I think they put my mind at rest. I saw another patient and she said her vision was still improving 2 months on. Everyone was very helpful at the clinic and having the surgeons mobile number after surgery was a huge reassurance. I cannot recommend it highly enough. I wish I'd known about them 3 years ago.
Kerry
I had my surgery on Tuesday afternoon. I am totally amazed at the results. I have better vision now than before when I was wearing glasses. The procedure was painless, quick and the results instant. To the staff and Dr Ali Mearza thank you - I should have had this done years ago.
ANUJA SINGH
I will highly recommend Focus Clinic to all. I found the clinic equipped with high-tech machines and the staff very friendly. All my concerns prior to the surgery were addressed in the most professional manner and there was this assurance that I would continue to get the after care if anything was to go wrong. I had done a lot of research before opting for Focus Clinic for my laser eye treatment and found you to be the most cost effective. I am very impressed with the way the treatment was carried out and am thankful to the entire team for everything. You clearly stand out from the rest due to the price difference and I am sure you will go very far with the way you deal with and look after your customers! Besh wishes, Anuja
Lee Jones
All of the staff were brilliant. Dr Allamby was very relaxing to be around and made you feel at ease about the whole thing. There is a little discomfort during the procedure but I wouldn't call it pain. The results were fairly instant and certainly during the first night the pain had gone and I had 20/20 vision. Amazing feeling. My eyes were -4.0 and -4.25. Big thanks to Paula Cole.
Andrew
Absolutely excellent customer service, they achieved the perfect balance of professionalism and friendliness. There was absolutely no "hard sell" of the treatment, and all the risks were very well explained before I decided to go ahead. The facility in Winpole Strret, London (just next to Harley Street) is very modern, clean and seemed well equipped. I stayed with the same surgeon (Dr Ali Mearza) for my treatment and follow up visits. They even provide you with your surgeons mobile phone number which you can call at any time if you have problems or worries following the treatment. All in all I can't recommend Focus Laser Vision enough!
Marco Tranchino
I have been deeply impressed by the high quality of the whole experience: the surgeon Dr.Ali Mearza was simply fantastic and so were the other doctors, the nurses, the whole staff. I have felt very well looked after and completely confident of being in very good hands. I have today an excellent sight, more than 20/20, better than average, and I am still amazed as it feels like a miracle really... thanks to everyone there! I have recommended "FOCUS Laser Vision" to all of my short-sighted friends and to my brother and sister.
Fiona Bunn
Brilliant - great to be able to see without glasses after 20 years. The clinic had a clean and peaceful atmosphere, with caring and kind staff from the receptionist to the surgeon. Would definitely recommend to friends needing surgery. I still don't understand why the NHS does not support such work, but am pleased that clinics like this exist to help.
Des
I chose Focus Clinic, after having a consultation with another well know clinic - the treatments were to be the same, however the price was about £1,000 more and the "hard sell" put me right off - at Focus, I had all the tests, received costings and information on the proceudres, all without any hard sell! I had my surgery this week with Mr Ali Mearza, it was all very professional, clean and friendly. I was put at ease and the surgery was explained in fulll as we went along - my friend even watched it on the TV whilst holding my hand ! I arrived early for my check up the next day and was fitted in without any fuss or having to wait for my appointment time. All staff friendly and Mr Mearza has steady hands, which is the main thing ! Would definately recommend Focus to anyone looking !
