They say the eyes are the window to the soul—but when your vision starts to blur, or an eye condition threatens your sight, finding the right specialist becomes a necessity.
London, a city renowned for its medical excellence, is home to some of the world’s leading ophthalmologists. From pioneering surgeons restoring sight to specialists tackling complex eye diseases, London offers world-class expertise for every vision need.
Read on to discover the best ophthalmologists in London—because when it comes to your eyes, only the best will do.
How much does an ophthalmologist consultation cost in London?
Ophthalmologist consultations in London are free under the NHS (London’s Universal Care Plan) if referred by a General Practitioner (GP). Private consultations typically range from £150 to £300, depending on the specialist and clinic.
How we chose the best ophthalmologists in London
- Medical Expertise & Credentials: We prioritised ophthalmologists with top qualifications, extensive training, and affiliations with recognised medical institutions.
- Specialist Experience – Our selection includes experts in various eye conditions, from cataract and LASIK surgery to glaucoma and retinal diseases. This is to comprehensive care for different vision needs.
- Patient Testimonials – We considered feedback from medical forums and our own community’s insights to ensure each doctor is trusted and well-regarded.
- Hospital & Clinic Reputation – The best ophthalmologists are often affiliated with leading hospitals and clinics known for advanced technology, high standards of care, and successful outcomes.
- Commitment to Innovation – We selected doctors who stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in eye care, from cutting-edge surgical techniques to innovative treatment options.
1. Julian Stevens
Location: 14 Queen Anne St
Phone: +44 20 7251 4835
Julian Stevens is a well-known ophthalmic surgeon in London, specialising in laser eye surgery and vision correction.
What stood out to me is the trust professionals like pilots and doctors, whose careers depend on precise vision, have in Dr Stevens. I talked to some of them, and they seem to really love his attention to detail and understanding of CAA (Civil Aviation Authority).
Unlike many surgeons, he personally handles both consultations and procedures, which adds a level of consistency that patients seem to value.
His iDesign wavefront-guided treatment is also impressive. It customises laser surgery to each eye’s unique structure, leading to highly accurate corrections.
Another aspect that caught my attention is his structured aftercare, particularly the CleverDrops™ app. It ensures patients stay on top of their medication routine, which many of the patients I talked to really appreciate.
Booking an appointment can take time, though. But those who have been treated by him generally feel that the level of care is worth the wait.
The procedure was quick and easy and entirely painless
“I had an astigmatism and wore glasses from age 40. Recently, my vision was additionally becoming impaired by cataracts so I arranged an appointment with Julian Stevens in London.
Mr Stevens gave clear advice and recommendations and my surgery was carried out a week later. The procedure was quick and easy and entirely painless. He and his team were very friendly and professional throughout. I had no concerns whatsoever.
My vision is now 20/20 without glasses. The whole procedure has been life changing and I have no hesitation in highly recommending Julian Stevens to anyone who needs the very best eye surgery available.
To anyone involved as I was, in aviation and has annual medicals, I would add that Mr Stevens has specialist knowledge and expertise in the field, including CAA procedures and requirements for aviators.”
– Chris Yardley, Google Review
Amazing and supportive
“Mr Julian Stevens is a fantastic surgeon, a year ago he had performed ICL lens replacement on me. He also helped me with astigmatism, I am now fully recovered and I haven’t experienced any issues. The surgery was painless and the whole process was quick, the team were always very amazing and supportive, I am very thankful. He had also given me advice on how to deal with migraines, which had worked for me instantly and made my migraines Less painful and frequent. I am so impressed with how good my vision has gotten. I am so grateful to have had him as my surgeon. From when I first met him I knew I was in safe hands and he had my full trust. I will never forget the kindness and care he gave me. Many thanks Mr Julian Stevens!”
– Monika Serenaite, Google Review
2. Mr Tariq Ayoub
Location: 22 Wimpole St, Harley St
Phone: +44 330 128 1616
Mr Tariq Ayoub is a consultant ophthalmic surgeon with expertise in cataract and refractive surgery as well as corneal conditions.
What I found particularly insightful during his public webinar on the “Modern Management of Keratoconus”, which was also open to the public. I noticed how clearly he explained procedures and addressed concerns.
Patients often mention that he takes the time to go over treatment options in detail, making sure they understand what to expect.
He consults privately and through the NHS, where patients can access free consultations with a GP referral. His clinic, Oculase – The Eye Clinic, provides laser eye surgery, lens replacement, and treatments for keratoconus and corneal disease.
I came across a patient who other clinics initially told me that laser surgery wasn’t an option due to thin corneas. After consulting with Dr Ayoub, they underwent implantable contact lens (ICL) surgery and achieved significant vision improvement without the risks they had feared.
One thing to consider is that his London clinic is located in a high-traffic area, and parking can be a challenge, so planning ahead for travel is advisable.
Highly experienced and educated doctor
“Mr Tariq is truly exceptional, he was very detailed in the explanation of his diagnosis. He was able to break down each problem with a clear solution and assured my grandad that he could still get treatment and see improvements. My grandfather was very happy to see and converse with Mr Tariq. We were able to get some great recommendations from him too! A very highly experienced and educated doctor.”
– Nusrat Hye, Google Review
Very kind and friendl
“I recently had a refractive lens exchange with trifocal toric lens implant and received excellent care from Mr Ayoub and team.
The team were able to get me in for surgery within 4 weeks which was great, and everyone I have interacted with throughout my journey has been very kind and friendly. The post op instructions were very clear and easy to follow and I received two post op appts with Mr Ayoub ; one within 48 hours of my procedure and the other within 6 weeks.
I’m extremely glad that I opted to go ahead with the lens implant; I now have 20/20 vision and no longer need to wear my glasses.”
– Jaspal Sidhu, Google Review
3. Rajesh Deshmukh
Location: 50-52 New Cavendish St
Phone: +44 7771 401976
Mr Rajesh Deshmukh has built a strong reputation in cataract surgery and vision correction, combining surgical precision with a patient-focused approach.
When my grandmother needed cataract surgery, we wanted someone who could guide her through the process with patience and care.
From the first consultation, Mr Deshmukh was clear and reassuring, taking the time to explain her options and what to expect. His calm personality made a real difference, especially when she was nervous about the procedure.
He also treats presbyopia, dry eye disease, and blepharitis, ensuring a full range of care for ageing eyes.
What stood out was how personalised his recommendations were—he carefully considered my grandmother’s lifestyle before suggesting the best lens option for her. Follow-up care was just as detailed, with regular check-ins to monitor her recovery.
One thing to keep in mind is that his clinics are primarily based in private hospitals, so NHS options may be more limited.
Impressed by his skills and sensitivity
“For several years, I have been seeing Mr Deshmukh for suspected glaucoma and have been very impressed by his skill and sensitivity. When he suggested that now was the time to have cataract surgery, I had no hesitation in following his advice. He is very good at explaining the procedures and I opted for bilateral surgery with premium interocular lenses.I was slightly apprehensive before the operation but was reassured by all the staff. They were quite right as immediately afterwards I could read the notices in the corridor. It is wonderful not to be wearing glasses. I am 83 years old and cannot recommend Mr Deshmukh highly enough.”
– Jenni Watson, Google Review
He clearly takes pride and interest in his work
“I’m 58-year-old who had early onset of cataracts. The cataract surgery was complicated by some RK surgery I had around 25 years ago. The cataracts were affecting my golf, I was struggling to play tennis under floodlights and drive in the dark. I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. I now have perfect distance eyesight and can comfortably read texts on my phone and night vision is excellent. Mr Deshmukh took the time to understand my demands and complications with my eyesight. He clearly takes pride and interest in his work; I can’t recommend him highly enough.”
– Richard Booth, Google Review
4. Allon Barsam
Location: 55 New Cavendish St
Phone: +44 20 3369 2020
Dr Allon Barsam is a consultant ophthalmic surgeon and founding partner of OCL Vision. He is known for his expertise in laser eye surgery, lens-based vision correction, and corneal procedures.
Dr Allon Barsam’s reputation for precision and patient-centred care is well-recognised in the ophthalmology community, as seen through his frequent invitations to speak at national and international conferences.
Many of his patients often highlight his use of advanced procedures like LASIK, LASEK, and SmartSight™ laser surgery. They value his meticulous approach and trust him to deliver results that meet the high visual standards required in their fields.
In fact, Dr Allon Barsam has treated pilots who rely heavily on exceptional vision and most of them have nothing but good things to say about him.
However, his clinic’s location can be tricky for those who prefer easy access via public transport, as nearby Underground options are limited.
Clear explanation
“I recently underwent SmartSight laser eye surgery performed by Allon. He was exceptional at explaining the procedure, thoroughly addressing all my concerns. I felt completely at ease throughout the entire process. After wearing glasses and contact lenses for over 20 years, being able to see perfectly has been life changing.”
– Zara Hason, Google Review
Offers this most advanced corrective treatment
“Superb – I’ve longed to be free of needing power lenses for distance vision after 23 years and Allon has now made this my reality. Now in the recovery phase but already amazed at my new vision. I was very nervous in the days leading up to the procedure, but no question or concern is too much trouble. I was kept calm during the procedure and had a glowing report from OCL’s optician the following day. I feel reassured knowing I will be looked after by the OCL team through out the recovery phase and beyond. All the OCL staff I dealt with during the procedure were very kind. I would throughly recommend OCL and Allon for the SmartSight procedure. If you’re eligible for Smile instead of LASIK, get it done here – only place in the UK that offers this most advanced corrective treatment for myopia.”
– Laurence Griffin, Google Review
5. Ahmad Aziz
Location: 153-173 Marylebone Rd
Phone: +44 20 7965 7484
Dr Ahmad Aziz is an eye surgeon who specialises in cataract surgery and eyelid procedures. I first came across Dr Ahmad Aziz while researching eyelid surgery options online.
I was looking into a cataract surgery specialists in London when his name kept appearing in patient reviews and medical articles. Curious, I watched a few of his informational videos.
What stood out to me in those videos was how he explained different procedures in a clear, straightforward way. Unlike many surgeons who focus only on the technical side, he also talked about patient concerns, recovery expectations, and long-term results.
Talking to his former patients, I noticed a pattern—many appreciated how thorough and reassuring he was during consultations. Some had been nervous about surgery but felt more confident after speaking with him.
One thing to note is that his practice mainly focuses on cataract and eyelid surgery, so those seeking laser vision correction may need to look elsewhere.
I like his mindset and personality
“I would wholeheartedly recommend Doctor Aziz. I met him through the NHS the very first time years ago. Last year, I chose to have blepharoplasty on only one eye. After blepharoplasty, the area looks bruised, and swollen. The vision is affected for a few days. He follows-up carefully and with very few words, he is able to reassure his patients. He did an excellent job, I like his mindset and personality: straightforward, clear, honest. A pearl.”
– Yendi, Google Review
Professional, reassuring, highly recommended
“Dr Ahmad Aziz, from my personal experience, is a consummate professional in his field – with an easy manner that puts you at ease and he takes time to explain the procedure (blepharoplasty), answers all your questions (of which there were many) and allays any ‘fears’ and concerns you may have. Along with being very good at what he does, from all the reports I had read and recommendations from others who have also had this procedure, from the research I did before deciding who to trust to perform this procedure on my eyes. I had quite pronounced ‘drooping’ of my upper eyelids which in turn limited my field of vision. I had my upper eyelift surgery in May 2022 and then had a follow up consultation today. I am now able to see clearly, which I could not do before without ‘forcing’ my eyes open. I am so happy with the result that I would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Aziz to others seeking the same or similar procedure(s). My only regret – that I did not have the procedure performed earlier!”
– Maria Costa, Google Review
