Professor David Gartry is Consultant Ophthalmologist to Moorfields Eye Hospital, and Visiting Professor to the faculty of Visual Sciences at City University, London. Today, his patients include royalty, A-listers, famous musicians, celebrity chefs, as well as high-flying business men and women.
He was one of the first surgeons in the world to perform laser eye surgery, way back in November 1989. That gives him the longest experience in this field of any eye surgeon in the UK. He has performed over 20,000 treatments to date, which is more than some clinics.
What makes him different? As the person we might consider the father of laser eye surgery in the UK, Professor Gartry tops the list of the 10 best laser eye surgeons in the UK, based on thousands of patient reviews since 2002.
What else should I know? Professor Gartry underwent laser eye surgery (LASIK) himself in October 2000, so he fully understands the process from both the doctor’s and the patient’s perspective. He recently founded the Wimpole Eye Clinic to help more people enjoy freedom from glasses.
☝ So is he the one? You’re the only one that can answer that. If you would like a second opinion, you can find the top-rated eye surgery clinic near you using our simple tool here, and book a free consultation with an eye expert to discuss your options.
1. Training and Prizes
Graduating in 1978 with a first class honours degree in Optometry from Glasgow Caledonian University, David then completed his pre-registration year at Moorfields Eye Hospital in 1979. With the first place in the UK professional qualifying examinations under his belt, he was awarded the Colebrook and Porter prizes of The British College of Optometrists, the Master’s Prize of The Spectacle Makers Company (SMC) and the J Stephen Dawson Memorial award of The Institute of Optometry.
He then read Medicine at University College London, where he won several academic awards including the annual national Sir Stewart Duke-Elder prize in Ophthalmology. He became a Fellow of The Royal College of Surgeons and The Royal College of Ophthalmologists in 1988. And that same year, while at St Thomas’ Hospital, he became involved in the first research work evaluating the then new excimer laser to treat corneal surface disease.
From 1989 to 1992, Professor Gartry held a full-time Iris Fund Research Fellowship, investigating the potential clinical applications of the laser and in November 1989, and became the first surgeon in The United Kingdom to perform laser eye surgery (photorefractive keratectomy or PRK).
He was responsible for the selection and monitoring of all patients in the original St Thomas’ Hospital research trials. And this culminated in the a thesis entitled ‘The Development of Excimer Laser Corneal Surgery in the UK’, which earned him the higher degree of Doctor of Medicine from The University of London.
2. Qualifications
Progessor Gartry moved to Moorfields Eye Hospital in 1992, and from January 1998 onwards he was responsible for the first LASIK (laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis) research protocols there. He has published over 50 scientific papers relating to laser corneal surgery, and has spoken at numerous scientific meetings around the world.
In 1991, he was awarded The Storz Medal and in 1993 The Iris Fund Triennial Award. He has written several book chapters and co-edited 3 textbooks: ‘Excimer Lasers in Ophthalmology – Principles and Practice’ (1997, Martin Dunitz), ‘Cataract Surgery’ (2003, BMA publishing) and ‘Corneal Surgery’ (2013, Springer Verlag).
In February 1995 he delivered one of the prestigious discourse lectures to The Royal Institution of Great Britain, a leading scientific society, and following this was made a member of The Royal Institution. In 2006 he was appointed Visiting Professor to City University and was Refractive Service Director at Moorfields from 2006 to 2013.
He holds The Royal College of Ophthalmologists’ Certificate in Laser Refractive Surgery (2007), and was entered into the 2007 edition of ‘Who’s Who’. In 2010, he was awarded an honorary doctor of science degree (DSc) by Glasgow Caledonian University. And in 2013, he received a lifetime fellowship of the College of Optometrists in recognition of his contributions to the field of ophthalmic surgery.
3. Prices
Laser eye surgery costs and lens replacement surgery costs are fixed and easy to digest at the Wimpole Eye Clinic. These are the latest prices (for both eyes) for laser eye surgery at this clinic with surgery by David Gartry:
| Eye Surgery Procedure | Price (both eyes) |
|---|---|
| Initial Consultation | £195 |
| IntraLASIK / LASEK with Wavefront | £4,480 |
| IntraLASIK/ LASEK with Wavefront (Higher Prescriptions) | £4,980 |
| Surgery package for standard treatment with a premium monofocal lens | £3,517 |
| Surgery package for laser assisted treatment with a premium monofocal lens | £4,138 |
| Special order/custom made lens | From £575 |
So how do these prices compare? Unlike with high street clinics such as Optical Express or Ultralase, the initial consultation with Professor Gartry is not free. Plus, any follow-up consultations will slap another £150 on top.
The surgery costs are also higher than at some other eye clinics. Yes, all procedures comes with Wavefront technology as standard, which is a high-precision AI-enhanced laser. But remember other treatment centres will sometimes give their own name to their advanced laser technology – at Optical Express, it’s called iDesign, at Optegra it’s Clairvu.
Are there any hidden costs? Yes and no. These prices include extensive eye tests before treatment, and any aftercare visits will be free for the first two years following surgery.
But patients will usually need two to three follow-up consultations, which are £150 a pop. If you suffer from very high prescriptions or astigmatism, your cost of surgery may even be higher than the prices above.
If these prices are more than you would feel comfortable paying, you might like to consider a leading high street clinic, as most will offer monthly payment options for as little as £30 a month for two years.
4. Professor Gartry Review: The Verdict
David Gartry continues to be at at the forefront of technological innovation in laser eye surgery. But he actually specialises in cataract surgery, and was one of the first UK surgeons to evaluate and adopt the latest femtosecond laser.
So, is Professor Gartry the right eye surgeon for you? Of course, that all depends on where you live, and what you’re looking for.
To find out, you might like to book a consultation with Professor Gartry to meet him, and discuss your eye care in detail. This will cost £195. Or, you can talk to an eye expert commitment-free by finding a well-reviewed eye surgery clinic that offers full eye tests and a surgery consultation at no cost at all.
☝ 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.
Professor David S Gartry Reviews
Nick Dearnley
I would like to thank you for all your medical expertise and work that you and your team has carried out on my cataract operation and follow up laser treatment. I am truly grateful for all the work and aftercare treatment, it has made a considerable difference to my vision. Thank you so much.
Agustin Garcia
There isn’t a day goes by when I don’t remember the extremely poor vision I suffered for such a long time and more importantly your wise recommendation that I should go ahead with the operations and await the results; I think it was a decision which has changed not only my life, but the lives of those around me. Thank you Mr Gartry.
A few days after the second operation when the amazing outcome became apparent it was very difficult for me to explain to other people how incredible it was for me to ‘see the world’ again. Even now, every day, I am still surprised and amazed!
I would like to thank you for your kindness with which you treated me at all times and for your expertise which led to such a successful outcome – truly an ‘amazing job!’ I would be very grateful if you could pass on my gratitude to all the personal in your team, Dr M.Minihan, Dr N. Pritchard, the optometrists, your secretary MS J.Maritz and all the nurses for their care and patience.
T Ramsay
The next day my vision was crystal clear, was very surreal. To see all the veins on the trees, the dew on the grass – it was pretty amazing. I think it is totally worth doing – it is a fairly huge choice to make but once you get through the nerves it is totally worthwhile.
S Konrad
From start to finish arriving at the hospital was about an hour. It was a little bit uncomfortable at times but overall it was really fine. The day after treatment my eyes were brilliant – it was just like looking at the world with my glasses but without my glasses! I could see the bottom line on the eye test at my check up which was very pleasing to hear, my eyes feel great, I’m very happy.
Philip S
Very happy with the care and treatment from Prof. Gartry and his team and thrilled with the results. Thanks.
Bridget Holmes
Just to say thank you. Its been life changing.
Nan S
The service was brilliant, the staff friendly and approachable and David Gartry immensely reassuring.
V Man
I had Lasek in Jan 2014. I had a high prescription and thin corneas so wasn’t able to have LASIK. I took a week off work and recovery was very gradual – took 3 weeks to have decent vision. Sadly I’m now (April 2014) left with a 0.25 and 0.5 prescription which is pretty disappointing given I shelled out £5000 for an expensive surgeon at Moorfields who pointed me to all the disclaimers I signed accepting the risks… Still undecided about whether to buy new glasses to watch TV and drive at night…
J Marks
As a direct result of being referred to Prof. Gartry by one of his esteemed colleagues who specialises in macula holes which was operated on successfully, I was then placed immediately into a pair of incredibly safe and gifted hands. My eyesight had deteriorated rapidly and as a result, my lifestyle had become impeded. Prof. Gartry has literally brought me from the darkness into the light (oh pure joy!) to the extent that my eye sight in both eyes has improved to such a degree that my life is no longer on hold and that it has been returned to normal. The procedures (laser removal of the cataracts and lens replacement) are both utterly pain and discomfort free. Prof. Gartry provides care and confidence in all respects (so too his staff) and I would recommend this form of treatment to anyone who is suffering from these conditions and can assure anyone reading this testimony that it is THE best way to regain their eyesight and continue with their life as they did before. Personally, I can’t thank Prof. Gartry enough for restoring my sight to such a degree that I didn’t realise colours could be so wonderfully bright and clear. I hope this helps any potential patient to quell their doubts and fears
Sally Pearson
our weeks after my surgery I am still finding each new day a revelation. No longer able to tolerate contact lenses, I had been wearing varifocal/complex lens spectacles. Not having to reach for them every morning is a novelty in itself.
I was already fairly committed to the idea of having this surgery and having met Professor Gartry I knew that I wanted him to carry it out. I found him professional and approachable and appreciated the fact that he was realistic about the results he could achieve. From my very poor prescription (around -11 with astigmatism in both eyes and with an incipient cataract in one) he confirmed what I had expected – that while he could greatly reduce my dependence on glasses I would not obtain perfection. Neither Mr Gartry nor any member of his excellent team made any attempt to persuade me into a decision. At this clinic you are simply sent on your way with all the information you need and left to think about it. Nevertheless I left the consultation determined to come back for the surgery as soon as possible.
I was a little nervous about the procedures but I felt throughout that my eyes were in safe hands. Mr Gartry’s calm competence reassured me and I liked the fact that he explained at various stages what he was doing and how long it would take. The whole experience was totally painless and I experienced no discomfort afterwards.
Mr Gartry is justifiably proud of, and enthusiastic about, the technology he uses, although it seems obvious to me that his experience and his skill in the use of that technology are major factors in the wonderful results he achieves. What he has achieved for me has surpassed all my expectations. I now need glasses only for driving and am glasses-free for everything else including close work. My eyesight feels better than it was with glasses or contact lenses. I could not have hoped for a better result. I am recommending Professor Gartry to everyone I meet.”
“Four weeks after my surgery I am still finding each new day a revelation. No longer able to tolerate contact lenses, I had been wearing varifocal/complex lens spectacles. Not having to reach for them every morning is a novelty in itself.
I was already fairly committed to the idea of having this surgery and having met Professor Gartry I knew that I wanted him to carry it out. I found him professional and approachable and appreciated the fact that he was realistic about the results he could achieve. From my very poor prescription (around -11 with astigmatism in both eyes and with an incipient cataract in one) he confirmed what I had expected – that while he could greatly reduce my dependence on glasses I would not obtain perfection. Neither Mr Gartry nor any member of his excellent team made any attempt to persuade me into a decision. At this clinic you are simply sent on your way with all the information you need and left to think about it. Nevertheless I left the consultation determined to come back for the surgery as soon as possible.
I was a little nervous about the procedures but I felt throughout that my eyes were in safe hands. Mr Gartry’s calm competence reassured me and I liked the fact that he explained at various stages what he was doing and how long it would take. The whole experience was totally painless and I experienced no discomfort afterwards.
Mr Gartry is justifiably proud of, and enthusiastic about, the technology he uses, although it seems obvious to me that his experience and his skill in the use of that technology are major factors in the wonderful results he achieves. What he has achieved for me has surpassed all my expectations. I now need glasses only for driving and am glasses-free for everything else including close work. My eyesight feels better than it was with glasses or contact lenses. I could not have hoped for a better result. I am recommending Professor Gartry to everyone I meet.
