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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.
Our Testimonials
190 reviews written between 2003 and 2020. Sorted by newest first.
Treatments are as each reviewer wrote them. Reviews that don't mention laser or lens surgery only show under All treatments.
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From the moment I stepped into Focus, I felt very comfortable and well looked after. Everyone was very friendly and attentive. The level of care throughout my experience and aftercare was professional and personal. The results were life changing for me and I would happily recommend them to anyone. Thanks!
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Excellent service and better than 20/20 vision!
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Where do I start… My two brothers (Andrew and Kris) and I decided to have laser eye surgery – referring each other. Mine and Kris’ glasses prescriptions weren’t too bad (around -1.25) but it was bad enough with an astigmatism that I couldn’t see clearly without the need for glasses. Andrew was blind… well not really blind but his vision was a lot worse than ours (-6.0). After a lot of research we decided Focus Clinics was right for us. Even though we are from the North East we thought the travel and expense was worth it – our eye sight didn’t seem a sensible place to cut corners.
I felt that wearing glasses was restrictive. I didn’t like wearing them at all and I never got used to wearing them. I felt as though I couldn’t fully enjoy participating in sports and found them a real pain on holidays such as at the beach and going in the sea. Having had the surgery this is no longer an issue.
The surgery was a bit of a daunting experience but the expectation was worse than the reality. I couldn’t believe how quick the process was, the efficiency of the team really showed here which was reassuring.
We would say to anyone that is considering surgery to go for it, but do their research first! Chances are if they do they will end up here. All three of us wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Focus – we have all achieved better than 20/20 vision with no post surgery issues experienced.
Many thanks to all the team at Focus.
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I can highly recommend the Blended Vision treatment at FOCUS.
My prescription was -1.75 (distance) and + 1.50 (near vision) – I have been wearing glasses since I was 22 and contact lenses for about 20 years. I was nervous but very keen to have the procedure done.
From start to finish the team at FOCUS come across as very professional but also warm and friendly and helpful and above all, very thorough.
FOCUS don’t do work that is unnecessary to do, so as I am in my 50’s where my near sight will continue to deteriorate over the next 5-8 years, they recommended that I only have my right eye operated on to improve my distance vision at this time. They explained that if I had the treatment on my left eye at this stage that I would only have to have the procedure repeated later in my 50’s and also assured me that operating on right eye would also allow me to have a better mid range which would help my near sight anyway.
This also meant that my recovery time would be quicker.I met David Allamby on the day of the operation (I could have met him before but opted to meet him on the day). We had plenty of time together to review all my results and discuss the procedure in detail. He also explained that his percentages for eye correction are higher than his direct competitors (I believe he achieves 98% to 20/16 – which is better than 20/20 vision!- amazing!). He made me feel like I was in really safe hands and was sympathetic to my pre-op nerves.
The operation only took 3 minutes as I had only one eye treated. It didn’t hurt and I had 20/20 vision back within 5 minutes and took the train home. My eye was a little sore for the afternoon but I was able to watch TV and use my phone and iPad later that day.
The follow up care is very good, with plenty of checks and clear instructions for do’s and dont’s.I am very pleased with the improvement to my distance vision and also how easily I have got used to blending the sight of both eyes for doing everything.
In summary I have been totally delighted by the whole process and I am currently recommending David and the team at FOCUS to all my friends who are considering laser treatment. It really is worth that little bit extra to know that you have the one of best surgeons in the world performing your operation.
Thank you David and all the team at FOCUS!
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I cannot thank all the staff at FOCUS enough. I had my laser eye surgery done in October 2013 and now one year on I can honestly say (apart from marrying my wife and having our children) Its the best thing I have ever done. I wish I had done it a few years ago !
As a driving instructor I rely on my vision so much, but as my eyes deteriorated with age (52) I was reliant on glasses all the time. Since having laser eye surgery, I now realise how much better my peripheral vision is, and driving in the bright sun, or dark and rainy conditions is no longer the constant nuisance it was before.
Life is easy now, no messing about with expensive glasses.
The surgery was painless and the process was so quick and easy. I felt really cared for and the staff make you confident right from the start. When I arrived for the first consultation I knew instantly that this was the best place for me. Throughout the whole process including the actual treatment day and subsequent follow-up appointments, I was completely satisfied.
It’s a big step putting your trust in someone. I thank my lucky stars I trusted FOCUS.