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
Nick Attoe
The clinic is excellent. All the staff are very helpful and welcoming. I had been to Ultralase for a consultation previously, and was not very impressed. My initial consultation was thorough and the optometrist spent a lot of time going over the options available to me and took me through the whole procedure. On the day of surgery, Dr Allamby carrried out a pre-operative consultation and when he had checked all the details, and I was happy he carried out the blade free (Z-Lasik) procedure. This was painless and remarkably quick. I returned to the clinic for a check the following day and was already better than 20/20 in both eyes. A month later and my eyes are now well healed and my vision is excellent. I would thoroughly recommend Focus Laser vision. It is a very professional clinic run by helpful dedicated staff.
Marc Brigginshaw
Excellent service. The treatment was quick, painless and recovery was extremely fast. Follow-up care and checks excellent. Vision is better than 20/20 now. Overall, highly recommended.
Vicki Jater
It is just about a year now since I had the surgery and I am still so pleased that I had this done. Everyone at this clinic was extremely friendly and caring, nothing was pushed my way and any possible downsides were pointed out. I went ahead and from day one I could see so well, I had the blended vision and it is fantastic, no more glasses. I cannot speak highly enough of this clinic and all of its staff they are wonderful.
Katie
I have been highly impressed with Focus and all of the staff there from the moment when I just popped into the clinic reception to ask for some information. I expected just to come away with a few leaflets but I actually got a clear account, there and then, of the treatments available, costs and an outline of their patient management. There was no hard sell and I spent some time reviewing the comprehensive information pack provided before taking the next step. Several weeks later, after a very thorough initial consultation I went on to have Z-Lasik treatment with Mr Mearza for correction of myopia and presbyopia. Mr Mearza provided clear information prior to and throughout the procedure so although there was some mild discomfort I felt totally prepared for this and for what I should expect during the following hours, days and weeks – in particular: eyes feeling dry and vision taking a little while to sharpen. Follow-up checks have been as comprehensive as the initial consultation and I am now due to return for my one month check. I feel totally satisfied with the results – it’s still a novelty to wake up each morning and instantly be able to see cleary - both distance and close-up!
jackie champniss
Initially, I went for blended vision, but when I was shown 'what it would be like' I decided against it. I was then told my distance vision could be treated, so this is what I went for. It has now been two months since my treatment and I can honestly say it was the best thing (healthwise) I've ever done! Before the treatment I had to wear glasses for everything, now I only need them for reading small print i.e. newspapers etc. No longer do I have to keep putting the glasses on and off in supermarkets etc. It's great to be able to see photographs, the computer, certain print in magazines, instructions on jars etc for cookery, the numbers on my cooker and washing machine etc. I could go on and on. It's been brilliant and I can't thank Dr Allamby enough. I would recommend them to anyone - there was no pain at all (well, the most painful thing was when they took the tape off each covered eye after the treatment!) I thought there would be some pain during the night after the treatment - but no, nothing!! I was so nervous before the treatment - but, honestly there was no need. The staff at Wimpole Street are lovely. After my initial consultation each time I visited the clinic I was always greeted with a smile from the receptionist and 'hello Jackie', they really make you feel at ease. If anyone is considering laser eye surgery, this is the place to go.
Amanda Mackie
I can absolutely recommend laser surgery. It has been life changing for me, I very rarely wore my glasses and spent 29 years walking around partially sighted and seeing the world through a haze. Mr Mearza and the staff were very helpful and caring, all my questions were answered in full and with confidence. After reading the information pack, I decided to go ahead with the laser treatment. One hour after the procedure whilst sitting in the car, I glanced across the road and I realised that I could read the signs without my glasses. Life improved when I went clothes shopping, I didn’t have to wear my glasses to see myself in the mirror. Driving without glasses is very strange and I still find my hand reaching up to take them off. The surgery was quick, not altogether pain free but the results immediate. During my check up the following day, I was informed by Mr Mearza that my vision was better than 20/20.
Ian Oliver
I would recommend this treatment to anyone. I had astigmatisms in both eyes and slightly short signed in one. The treatment was painless….. but I have to admit to be in a little discomfort for 36 hours after surgery. Focus Vision was an excellent choice: the per op examination was extremely thorough and the surgery was fine. After care is extremely good. My vision was pretty good after 24 hours and now, 2 weeks after surgery it is wonderful…….. no more contact lenses or glasses!!
vikki horrocks
Eye Laser surgery was the best thing i have ever done. Words cannot describe how greatful i am to Dr Allamby. The staff at the clinic were very kind and helpful. It was a very relaxed atmosphere and the best part of all… it was hundreds of pounds cheaper than any other quote i had got ! As soon as i opened my eyes (SECONDS AFTER LASER SURGERY) for once in my life i could see the clock hanging above the door without contact lenses. I can now wake up and see the alarm clock or fall asleep watching TV without worrying about taking my contact lenses out. It is by far the best thing i have ever done.. I have recommended it to everyone who wears glasses and lenses. I couldn’t have wished for a better surgeon or a better clinic to have carried out the procedure. A big Thank you to everyone at Focus.
vikki horrocks
Eye Laser surgery was the best thing i have ever done. Words cannot describe how grateful i am to Dr Allamby. The staff at the clinic were very kind and helpful. It was a very relaxed atmosphere and the best part of all... it was hundreds of pounds cheaper than any other quote i had got ! As soon as i opened my eyes (SECONDS AFTER LASER SURGERY) for once in my life i could see the clock hanging above the door without contact lenses. I can now wake up and see the alarm clock or fall asleep watching TV without worrying about taking my contact lenses out. It is by far the best thing i have ever done.. I have recommended it to everyone who wears glasses and lenses. I couldn't have wished for a better surgeon or a better clinic to have carried out the procedure. A big Thank you to everyone at Focus.
Wolf Koelling
All the staff were extremely friendly and very professional. Surgeon was Mr Ali Mearza. After-care is very good. The clinic premises are nice and relaxing. I felt totally safe and in good hands at all times. I'm extremely happy with my choice of clinic and can't recommend them highly enough. My vision is better than 20/20 now.
