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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.
Testimonials
I am thrilled – my eyesight is better than it has ever been, even with glasses.All the staff at AVC are/were friendly, approachable and professional.I was extremely impressed with every aspect of the treatment – including the aftercare.Thank you.
I had my eyes lasered last August, and I cannot praise Mr Pillai and his team highly enough! Having worn glasses since age 8, I was lucky enough to get laser eye surgery as a graduation present. I was a little apprehensive, but after a lot of research I knew it was at AVC that I wanted to get my surgery done – the fact that there was an article in the Daily Express a month before my op praising Mr Pillai only served to reassure me I had made the right decision! We went down to Harley Street from the North East, and as soon as we arrived we were made to feel at home. All of the staff were wonderful and I never once doubted my decision. My consultation was fine and I was confirmed as suitable. I was offered the option of having the corneal flap created with either a blade, or, at extra cost, a laser – I was never once put under pressure to choose the more expensive option. The next day I returned for my op..as crazy as it sounds, I wasn’t a bit nervous – I knew I was in the safest hands possible with Mr Pillai! He immediately put me and my family at ease. The operation itself was over really quickly, and fairly soon after the op I started to see the effects. My dad was even able to watch the op from behind glass – something which I believe is unique to AVC which made him, and me, feel very comfortable with the whole process. When I returned to my hotel, one of my protective lenses was pushed out – that’s how quickly the eye had healed! I rang the surgery for advice and they were incredibly helpful and reassured me that nothing was wrong. Two days later I returned for my post-op check, where Mr Pillai confirmed I had 20/20 vision and everything had gone perfectly. I have since had several checkups which have confirmed my vision has now improved to better than 20/20, as Mr Pillai predicted. I count that weekend of my op as one of the best weekends of my life, and that is down to the fantastic experience provided by AVC and Mr Pillai in particular. My dad now classes Mr Pillai as second in his list of heroes (after Bobby Moore!) due to his wonderful character and amazing expertise. I could write an essay on how great the service I received at AVC was, and would strongly recommend that anyone considering laser eye surgery went there, as I genuinely believe no other surgery could compare. Mr Pillai deserves every one of the five stars others have rated him – he is the best of the best! To anyone reading this considering AVC for surgery – do it! You will not regret it. Thank you AVC for the gift of sight – the best graduation present ever!!
I am very happy about my treatment 6 month ago. The customer service was excellent. I felt in safe hands with the surgeon and his team. I was unlucky and needed an enhancement. This risk was explained to me beforehand and I understand it is just due to the sometimes unpredictable healing process of your cornea.My vision now is excellent. I would recommend this procedure to friends and family.
Had the first operation about a year ago and the result was quite poor on one eye – ended up with astigmatism (double vision, distortion, etc.), which I did not have before the operation. Went through two corrections over the next 8 months and now, one year later from the initial operation, the vision is OK but still not 100% satisfactory. I must say, though, that it is nice to be able to live without depending on contact lenses.
From start (initial consultation) to surgery right through to aftercare, I felt completely comfortable, relaxed and confident with the whole clinical team at AVC. Even with the aftercare being done by my Optician.I am so glad and happy I went through with my treatment and 6 weeks on it has made such a life changing difference to me.I could not fault anything, only compliment and praise.