Male
Female
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
202 reviews written between 2007 and 2026. Sorted by newest first.
No reviews match these filters.
-
5 months ago I was very short sighted, and my vision had deteriorated and got much dimmer during lockdown. I was really worried and my high street optician could only offer thicker glasses and/or contact lenses. I knew a friend who had had surgery with Mr. Stevens and it had changed her life. I thought a consultation would clarify my options and at least give me a really thorough examination and diagnosis. From the first meeting with Mr Stevens’ lovely, caring and professional team, my fears and questions were answered. I was guided through the options and processes and appraised of a realistic likely outcome. My considerable anxiety was not dismissed, but managed as a normal part of their remit. I was helped through without being made to feel a nuisance – thank you all for your patience and kindness. I had both lenses replaced, (with laser light show) and can now see the world in bright colour (no cataract clouding) and clearly (myopia corrected). Straight after surgery I could look across the room and see my husband for the first time in 40 years, without glasses/contacts – amazing! There was a very clear after care regime with an app to prompt and I had no complications or pain throughout. I can now see far into the distance, as i never have since I was 7 years old, yet i am still able to thread a needle and read normal sized print without the need for reading glasses. Thank you so much Mr. Stevens and your lovely team. May you keep being kind and changing lives for a long time.
-
Very professional and caring doctors who answered all my questions and also helped me to overcome my fear of eye surgery. The whole process was very efficiently handled and at all times I felt very safe with the process and I had wonderful care during and after my procedure. Thank you ever so much Mr. Stevens and Professor J Bainbridge
-
Mr Stevens did an excellent job on my eyes. Now I can see in the distance without any glasses.
-
After being diagnosed with cataracts I was referred to the NHS Maidstone Hospital. My eye pressure was found to be quite high, and so asked if they could check for glaucoma, which was diagnosed. l was also told by the Associate Consultant the optic nerve in my left eye had some damage. I was put on eye drops to bring the eye pressure down, and booked in for cataract surgery in July. However, something just did not feel quite right, and my confidence started to waiver. After searching various websites, reading many reviews and asking friends, Julian Stevens came highly recommended by my former boss, and l decided to pay to get a second opinion. From the moment l entered Moorfields Hospital it was a completely different experience. Julian’s team headed by Janet his P.A. is super-efficient, very professional and caring. I spent the best part of the morning having various tests performed with greatly advanced equipment, there was no guessing to be had, and no mistakes made. The final meeting that day was with Julian Stevens himself. Within the first few minutes of our meeting, Julian inspired my confidence and any nerves immediately disappear, you can tell this man cares deeply and genuinely wants to help you. It so turned out my optic nerve had no damage whatsoever, and this was backed up by the machine graphics that were patiently explained. In comparison, the NHS lenses on offer are very basic and you have 2 choices, close up or distance vision. My previously being short sighted, and not one to favour wearing glasses – which had only worn for distance driving, Julian discussed the best type of lens for my prescription. We decided on refractive lens replacement, with one lens being slightly adjusted for close up vision, which meant l would be able to read without having to wear glasses thereafter. Now these are not just any old lenses, they are the very best on offer. If you do not have any health insurance such as myself, paying to go private is quite expensive, but the cost can be cut down somewhat by having replacement lenses fitted in both eyes at once. On the day of my operation, all went very smoothly, from the laser part of the brilliant light show, through to the operating theatre thereafter with my choice of Pink Floyd playing in the background, and l was not afraid knowing in his very safe and capable hands. The NHS experience would certainly have been a very different one indeed, our eyesight is very precious, so if you are able why begrudge yourself, every penny is well spent. I can honestly say 100% there is no one else but Julian Stevens and his team l would have trusted. Immediately after the op, my vision started to return – over the next few days my sight improved immensely, Janet and the team were on hand to help if any worries or concerns. It is now 3 months after my op in August, and Julian suggested stopping my glaucoma medication a few days prior to my last check-up – my eye pressure is actually lower now than beforehand, so on my last visit a few days ago was told they can be stopped which is amazing. I can now see far into the distance as never before which is surreal, yet still be able to read normal sized print without the need for reading glasses, my confidence has returned. Julian Stevens has many rich and famous clients, yet he gives the same amount of time and attention to ALL of his patients, he is very much a people person, with warm kind eyes, and an infectious sense of humour to match. However trivial, there is no question he will not answer. We are very lucky indeed to have this man in our country, who is nothing short of a genius, with his expert skills and knowledge, boundless enthusiasm and constant striving to develop new technology, just simply the best!
-
I recently had wavefront guided LASEK surgery with Mr Julian Stevens team at Moorfields Private. Their service was excellent. I was made to feel very comfortable and all my questions were patiently explained and answered to. Surgery was swift. Post surgery aftercare was excellent and again any queries/concerns were quickly addressed. I would highly recommend him.