Mr Pillai is the Medical Director at Advance Vision Care (AVC), which he founded back in 2003. Today, he is considered one of UK’s most respected, highly trained and experienced Consultant Refractive Surgeons.
With over 25 years’ experience under his belt, Mr Pillai has personally performed over 30,000 eye surgeries – more than many other ophthalmologists. He is also licenced to practice both in the UK and the USA, after having worked for years with the NHS, and in Indian eye hospitals.
As one of the first eye surgeons in the country to conduct bilateral LASIK (bladeless eye surgery on both eyes), Mr Pillai still performs all laser procedures at AVC.
1. Qualifications
Today, Mr Pillai is a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCO), as well as the Royal College of Surgeons, and is registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). Membership of these bodies signals a stamp of approval within the ophthalmology industry.
Mr Pillai’s Formal Qualifications:
- 1990: Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists
- 1989: Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
- 1988: Diploma in Ophthalmology, Royal College of Surgeons, Glasgow
- 1982: Diploma in Ophthalmology, Madras University, India
- 1980: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, Madras University, India
Mr Pillai’s Professional Affiliations:
- Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCO – UK)
- Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh
- British Society of Refractive Surgery (BSRS – UK)
- British Medical Association (BMA)
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO – UK)
- Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO – USA)
- American Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS – USA)
- International Society of Refractive Surgery (ISRS)
- European Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ESCRS)
What’s more, Mr Pillai is one of the few eye surgeons in the UK to receive a Fellowship in both Corneal and in Refractive Surgery: one at the University of Texas in the USA; and the other at The Queen Victoria Hospital in the UK.
And – as you would expect from someone who founded his own private practice – he is helping to innovate laser eye surgery technology through collaboration with the Technolas group think tank.
2. Experience
After working as an NHS Consultant for five years, Mr Pillai founded his own private clinic, AVC, in 2003. In addition to performing laser eye surgery himself, Mr Pillai still finds the time to present at international conferences, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and help train other surgeons in the UK.
Quite a few accolades help Mr Pillai stand out. Rare among them is his pioneering of the co-management approach. He gathered a network of clinical partners (all of whom are experienced and accredited optometrists) in England to act as a referral base for initial consultation and aftercare.
As a result, patients are able to receive qualified advice on their eye conditions, from an optometrist close to home. This is part of the AVC’s focus on personalised patient care.
Area of expertise:
- Corneal neovascularization (CNV), or the growth of new blood vessels in the eye
- Amniotic membrane transplantation
- Specular microscopy in uveitis
- Excimer laser surgery (such as LASIK and LASEK)
- Dry eye conditions
3. Mr C. T. Pillai Review: The Verdict
So, is Mr Pillai the right eye surgeon for you? Of course, that all depends on where you live, and what you’re looking for.
If you’re seeking laser eye surgery in London, you’ll be pleased to know Mr Pillai operates largely in the Harley Street AVC Clinic. Plus, Lasik Eyes reviewers comment on his compassionate, personable approach.
But depending on your budget, you may like to shop around. In any case, it’s always worth trying to meet your surgeon at an initial consultation to establish a good connection before the surgery.
☝ 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.
Mr C.T. Pillai Reviews
Debbie Fields
I had LASIK Wavefront treatment carried out by Mr Pillai 6 moths ago and I just want to say “WOW”. I can not believe how it has changed my lifestyle and also gained me more confidence. I was a -8.00 in both eyes and I cold not wear contact lenses. After having two consultations elsewhere with other clinics I was still not ready in proceeding as I only got to meet opticians and never the treating Surgeons I actually thought this was standard practise. Advance VisionCare was recommended to me by a friend of my partners and to be honest I thought it was a little to far to travel but in the end I went for my consultation which was carried out by Mr Pillai. Mr Pillai was a lovely professional man with a very humble approach and went through all aspects of treatment with me. He was very clear in his explanations and explained everything in a way that I could clearly understand which was not done at my previous consultations.I am so happy that I took the steep and underwent treatment with Mr Pillai and I have recommended at least three friends for laser corrections with him. I just want to stay a big thank you for giving me the sight I have always dreamt off.
Sebela
Mr Pillai is a wonderful Surgeon he has a very jolly personality combined with a professional approach. It is a defiantly a 5 star clinic and service
Deborah Beesley
The assessments were made efficiently and everything was explained clearly. The LASEK eye surgery went ahead (Having discussed the options), totally pain free and staff were sympathetic to my nervousness. Follow up checks done thoroughly and I am very pleased with the results.
Faiza Meroi
I was so pleased with the thorough check up and the explanations I got from the clinic and decided to book for the treatment on that day! The treatment day was so quick and no pain at all; a bit of a blur and a feeling of a bit dry eyes; apart from that there was no problem at all (in fact I went to see a show in the night of the treatment !!)
Maja Dabagh
This is the most important part that I was dying to fill in. A bit about my background: I am 22 years old, and a medical student. My vision was -8.50 in both eyes before. I knew no one who had the procedure and did my own research I went to Optical Express, Ultralase and wasn’t accepted by them as the thought my prescription was still changing due to my young age. Also found out cost £495.00 etc went up for higher prescriptions. Also because there are many Surgeons in those clinics it’s the fact that you don’t know who operates on you. Mr Pillai’s CV can be found easily and only he treats you. As a medical student I know there is a difference between Surgeons and some can be very unprofessional. I developed a complications- Haze in my eyes but I had extra surgerey (at no extra cost). I was worried obviously and procedure does come pain afterward but you can numb the pain. If you are a perfectionist and have worn glasses for more than 10 years I have low self esteem-Then go for it, you won’t regret it!!
Neil Charlton
I went with AVC because I could research the Surgeon, meet him and find out his track record. With a lot of other clinics you cannot do this!1-The outcome of your Surgery will depend on the Surgeon, 2 the laser, 3 the aftercare. Many people purely look at cost which I believe is the wrong approach.There was no pain during or after surgery and I was driving 3 days. I still have 0.25 astigmatism in my right eye but I am hoping this will improve.I would highly recommend AVC, do your research and go in with your eyes open!
Louisa Clarke
The whole process was very re-assuring; I’d heard horror stories of conveyor belt laser surgery at other high street clinics. AVC is not that. Very individual car which lasts 18 months after treatment.I was also very reassured to learn Mr Pillai had performed one of the laser technicians daughters.
Mark Craig
A totally professional experience throughout, from consultation to treatment in 24 hours, with all aspects of treatment explained as clearly as possible. Nearly 30 years of short sight fixed in one weekend by some very nice people! Thanks.
Elizabeth Butters
First contact with the clinic was Lela whose manner and efficiency was welcoming and reassuring. On attendance at the clinic all staff were friendly, answered any questions thoroughly and I felt very confident about the procedure and the outcome, despite my prescription being quite high, right eye -8.50 -1.25 and left eye -9.00 -0.50.On the day of surgery after my pre-op checks my surgery was done. It was not at all painful and was over quickly. I suffered no problems and did not feel any particular discomfort afterwards.I can highly recommend both the procedure and the clinic. I wore contact lenses all the time before and the freedom and change from that routine is fantastic!
Stuart Rudge
Although all of the options and treatments were explained to me during my initial consultation, I found it a lot of information to take in, although that is more to do with me than the clinic!I found the aftercare excellent and also was made very comfortable during the operation.Overall I am very pleased with my experience. There was almost no pain during and aftercare the operation, and all of the aftercare advice has been very easy to follow.Thank you very much!
