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With 20 years performing vision correction surgery under his belt, Mr Julian Stevens has been a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital since 1988.
The good news? Mr Stevens makes the list of the 10 best laser eye surgeons in the UK, based on thousands of patient reviews since 2002. Hundreds of former patients have left positive reviews, praising his surgical skill and caring manner.
Is there anything I should know? You’ve probably already guessed this, but Mr Stevens’s experience and prime London address also makes him one of the most expensive eye surgeons around. As with all Moorfields surgeons, his prices can be double that of competitors.
So is he the one? 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. About Mr Julian Stevens
Julian Stevens won a scholarship to study Medicine at Merton College, University of Oxford, where he was then awarded a Postmaster scholarship. He graduated top of his year in 1980 and was awarded the Oxford University Prize in Medicine for the top First Class Honours Degree.
He continued his clinical medical training at Clare College, University of Cambridge and at the Cambridge Medical School. Higher training was undertaken at the Oxford Eye Hospital and Moorfields Eye Hospital, London.
2. Training
After completing his general ophthalmic surgical training, Mr Stevens undertook two years of sub-specialist training, with Fellowships in Lens, Corneal and then Refractive Surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital.
Mr Stevens was appointed as Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital in January 1996. His main interest is laser refractive surgery.
He has been involved in the development and application of wavefront refractive surgery and has personally performed over 10,000 wavefront procedures. Mr Stevens was the first Director of Refractive Surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital.
3. Qualifications
Mr Stevens joins Professor David Gartry in being one of the UK’s most qualified eye surgeons. He is an examiner for the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and holds the Certification of the Royal College in Laser Refractive Surgery. He is an advisor to the British Society for Refractive Surgery and is on the Board of the International Society of Refractive Surgery.
He has won prizes from both the American and the European Societies of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. He is the recipient of the 2007 American Academy of Ophthalmology (ISRS/ AAO) Lans award for innovation in refractive surgery.
Internationally recognised as an expert opinion leader, Mr Stevens has published peer reviewed papers on refractive surgery and is regularly invited to deliver keynote lectures at national and international ophthalmic meetings.
Mr Stevens trains Ophthalmic Surgeons in advanced refractive and cataract surgery. He founded the Moorfields basic and advanced IntraLASIK courses and the Moorfields wavefront training course for Ophthalmic Surgeons.
4. Patient Reviews
“My husband and I had lens replacement by Mr Stevens last year, and are both thrilled with our results. After years of wearing glasses, we feel liberated from them from the moment we wake up. I would personally recommend Mr Stevens, and would not hesitate to refer any of my family to see him when the necessity arises for them to seek eye treatment.” – June Clayton
“I had LASIK in 2005, performed by Mr Julian Stevens at Moorfields Eye Hospital. I have absolutely fantastic vision and it stills shocks me just how well I can see. The procedure was quick and painless, and Mr Stevens and his team made me feel at ease throughout the whole process.” – Rosie
“Mr Stevens was fairly brief in his pre-op time given for discussion but you could say, efficient and utterly knowledgeable. His junior doctors were not so well informed and one lady even fobbed me off with false information. His receptionists (especially Janet – a star) were much better informed. Overall I received all the answers I needed (I was annoyingly inquisitive) but had the sense that as a customer of an expensive and commercial procedure, time for chat was necessarily not huge. Delighted with the results.” – Andrew James
5. Prices
As you would expect at Moorfields Private, Mr Stevens does not come cheap.
Laser refractive surgery costs twice the quotes at other leading UK clinics, although the prices for lens replacement surgery are only around a third more, given the higher base cost of the lens itself.
- Consultation: £150 – £600
- Wavefront laser refractive surgery: £4,370 – £4,970
- Refractive lens surgery: £3,825 – £4,430 (per eye)
- Cataract surgery cost: £3,825 – £4,430 (per eye)
Unlike at many other clinics, initial consultations with Mr Stevens are not free – you’ll be paying between £150 and £600, depending on the surgery you’re interested in. If you would prefer to have the option to pay monthly for your surgery, it’s worth looking around, as Moorfields will need the full payment up front. At Optical Express or Ultralase, for instance, you could pay around £50 a month for two years.
6. The Verdict
So, is Mr Stevens the right eye surgeon for you? Of course, that all depends on where you live, and what you’re looking for. His prices are some of the highest in the industry, but he can also justify them, as one of the UK’s most qualified surgeons.
You’d be in trusted hands with Mr Stevens. That said, with eye surgery considered a safe elective surgery by the General Medical Council (GMC), no one should feel obliged to spend any more than they are comfortable with. You can always attend free consultations with a range of surgeons to see where you feel most comfortable.
☝ 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 Julian Stevens Reviews
Testimonials
Mr Stevens and his team were extremely helpful from the first phone call right up until surgery, all being extremely knowledgeable and friendly. I have worn glasses with a very high prescription my entire life and could have never imaged sight without them. This meant sitting up from the operation and for the first time ever being able to see the clock on the wall was absolutely unbelievable. The surgery has truly changed my life meaning I can do all the sports and activities i want and never have to worry about glasses/contacts. Even the simple things still amaze me, just being able to wake up in the night and clearly see the alarm-clock next to me.I could not recommend Mr Stevens any higher; he is a fantastic surgeon, having filled me with confidence prior to the op and then changed my life during it. If you are looking to have LASIK, you could not be in safer hands.
Outstanding result from an outstanding surgeon. Everything explained thoroughly beforehand.Would highly recommend Mr Stephens to anybody.
I have been a high myope since age 7 wearing glasses till 18, then the first toric soft lenses till 1986 when I changed to the the first micro-corneal gas permeable lenses working my way through every conceivable lens including the famous Menicon Z finally using the Dakota Science SO Clear lenses which with a prescription of -10.25 Rt and -11.25 left and astigmatism meant I was a challenging patient for Mr Stevens to perform small-incision phakoemulsification surgery also considering my sports pre-op included sky-diving, horse riding, rock climbing and technical scuba diving. I stopped gas permeable contact lens wear 9 weeks before surgery, relying on glasses and occasionally running for an hour with a one day soft of no consequence. First surgery 13th March on the right eye. Immediately, due to the eye dilating drops for surgery, vision was starry and blurry but over the next 7 days improved dramatically especially in middle distance as the implant was of a multi-focal aspheric lens. The left eye operated on the 20th March with a faster recovery. Eye shields for 2 weeks and a strict eye drop regime speeded recovery. Drawbacks have beed haloes at night and the visibility of the edge of the limplants in low light conditions but am told this will improve. Now for the results, driving in daylight good, at night needing a 1 dioptre right eye addition only either via glasses or csoft contact lens. 14 weeks after surgery parachuting with no contact lenses just amazing. Horse riding and rock climbing the same. No worries about dust. Vision always the same. For close reading I need reading glasses as expected. To say it has changed my life is an understatement. Hopefully, with more time the night haloes will diminish as the implants bed down. Final result from my contact lens specialist Rt eye -1.25 left eye -0.25. Quite remarkable and a wonderful support time at the clinic. Mr Stevens is a genius !
Having read such amazing reviews about Dr Stevens in both a paper and a magazine I researched him further as have wanted laser since I was about 20. I am now 25 and had Lasek laser surgery on 2nd May 2012 at Moorfields Eye Hospital with Dr Julian Stevens. I went into the consultation on 26th March 2012 feeling that I would ask questions and maybe leave not wanting to go ahead as I had been on consultations with other surgeons (Optimax and Ultralase) in past and not felt confident enough about going through with surgery as felt like just a number and that surgery wouldn’t last. Upon meeting Dr Stevens and his team I felt suddenly relaxed and more confident from the off by the way they treated me and what they advised me. When I met Dr Stevens at the consultation I had a list of questions that I had noted down as was so nervous about having the procedure. I wanted to know the ins and outs. He reassured me no end and every negative that I had towards the surgery he turned into a positive. He is a real character and really confident which I found great as this encouraged me as I am a big worrier. I decided after sorting with work to book in for surgery. Booking via Dr Stevens office staff was very easy and no fuss all was dealt with at my convenience. I dealt mainly with Laura McCabe who can I add was fantastic as I had to provisionally book in and confirm as of issues at work, she was very patient and kind to me whilst sorting this. I went for surgery on 2nd May 2012 in the evening. I was literally sick with nerves and my Mum was even saying don’t do it if you are not ready. I was very scared for the outcome. I got to Moorfields and everything was dealt with quickly and easily. I sat with a Nurse before surgery who explained the after effects and went through the medicines and eye drops with me as with Lasek you spend a week recovering and you need to use drops for weeks after. I wasn’t actually aware of how much discomfort there would be until I spoke with the nurse so do be aware of this before Lasek as the first couple of days after surgery you will be uncomfortable. I went up to the laser suite and was helped by a very kind lady I cannot remember her name she was American and really sweet. She reassured me as by now I was so nervous. I was given bags to go over my feet and a hair net. Another man then came to put anaesthetic drops in my eyes this was done about four times in each eye. It didn’t hurt at all. I was then greeted by Dr Stevens who again was warm and friendly and reassuring to me. I laid in a big flat back chair (like in a dentist) and Dr Stevens explained what would happen and asked me if I was okay etc. My eyelashes were taped back and one eye covered at a time whilst the laser was done. I really can’t put into words what it is like just surreal and very quick. No pain at all. Dr Stevens inserts protective lenses in your eyes at the end of Lasek surgery for a week after laser and this was done without me even realising it, it all happens so quick and you don’t feel a thing. I remember sitting up in the chair and being able to see a clock on the wall and a poster. I was so overwhelmed I felt I would cry but didn’t. I walked down the hall glasses in hand and went back into the waiting room to see my Mum and boyfriend who came with me. I could see perfectly and felt no pain, just so overwhelmed. I then literally left with my paperwork and medication in my sunglasses. The whole experience must have lasted no more than 45 mins. Time in the laser suite was minimal about 8-10 minutes maybe not even that. The night of surgery my eyes were still anaethetised so I slept well but woke up uncomforable. You must sleep in plastic goggles for about the first week after Lasek because you have protective lenses inserted for one week after surgery so this is to stop rubbing in the night. From day after eye drops are applied constantly every 15 minutes for first 2-3 days. This became very annoying but was paramount for recovery. I would say I was in abit of pain for first 3 days but from day 4 everything changed and I felt a lot better. Day 2 I did think something was wrong as my eyes kept getting the motion as if I was going to cry but wouldn’t water and I did feel like wanted to itch them a lot which is a big no. Your vision is very varied at first but this isn’t anything to worry about. I wouldn’t say the after bit was very painful more uncomfortable and you cannot rest as you have to keep doing drops. You would definately need someone to assist for first 3 days. Your eyes are very light sensitive you need to be in the dark for again around 3 days. I had to keep putting sunglasses on with my dressing gown over my head that’s how sensitive my eyes were. It was crazy. You literally cannot watch TV, read, use your phone or do anything involving using your eyes in the light. The recovery period can be challenging but I don’t want to put anyone off as goes very quickly and is well worth it for the end results I am just giving an honest account. By the 5th/6th day I felt fantastic and could use my phone again and I ventured out. It was so surreal I went out shopping and ordered food from a menu perfectly. I visited Dr Stevens to have the protective lenses out on the 8th day. This was quick and painless and much appreciated as towards the end you can feel you have the lenses in and your eyes will be abit dry. The Dr confirmed my vision was good and I was ok to drive again. This felt wonderful I couldn’t thank Dr Stevens enough. There was someone in the waiting room that day awaiting to see Dr Stevens due to a problem with laser through another surgeon they had been told the Dr could help them. I assured them Dr Stevens was the man to see as they looked nervous. This shows how well kmown he is and about his skill as he is also able to help people with eye problems. I went back to work the following day I work on computers and found this abit varied at first as near vision is more unstable at first. After a few days I slotted back into routine and was able to put eye make up and I ventured into the gym which was wonderful without glasses. Lasek surgery with Dr Stevens and his team was probably one of best decisions I’ve made. Everyone seems to say that in reviews and I genuinely agree it is so true. I hated glasses and didn’t get on with contacts so it’s been a dream come true being free of both! I have recently been away to Spain and enjoyed the pool beach and party scene so much more without the issue of glasses and contacts. I would urge anyone who has issues with glasses/contact lenses to get Laser done as it’s given me more confidence and a new lease of life. My mum is now looking into it! I go to the gym and it is so much better with no hassle of glasses. I have had no problems to date (touch wood) and with the help of Dr Juliens and his team my after care and recovery has been amazing. I can see much better than with any glasses and I hope this lasts for me for years to come. It is expensive and people are shocked when I say what I paid (nearly £4k) but I honestly think it is well worth it for the happiness I’ve found being without glasses. I feel more free and so much better off as glasses hindered me! I would do it all again if nessecary as has been so wonderful. Thank you Dr Stevens for giving me good vision back. He is a brilliant man! I cannot reccomend him and the team enough. His team are wonderful. If you are having doubts go and meet them! You will be assured. Good luck to all! Rebecca Forsyth
It has been about 18 months since I had wavefront LASEK surgery with Mr Stevens.Given that I have an active lifestyle, particularily clay shooting and martial arts it was important for me that I did not have any structural weakness in my eyes after surgery. This is why I opted for the wavefront LASEK surface procedure, after Mr Stevens outlined the benefits and drawbacks of the procedure. I am so glad that Mr Stevens suggested wavefront LASEK, even though the recovery is longer than LASIK. Actually, it was longer than I personally allowed for, I should have listened to the consultation team as they did explain length of recovery, I just thought that I could push myself to work the next day (which, I believe, you may be able to do if you opt for the LASIK procedure). Anyway, my vision is fantastic and has stayed great despite catching a few punches straight to the eye whilst sparring over the last year. I had a bit of trouble with my night vision for the first few months but this is much better now. It also took a few months to completely get to grips with my focal point shifting forward but, again, now that my eyes have adjusted it is no longer an issue and I find my shooting, fighting and precision work significantly better than before the procedure. Looking back I can say that this operation changed my life. I would recommend Mr Stevens and his team without any hesitation.