How Many Private Laser Eye Surgery Clinics are there in London?
London has become a world-renowned centre for medical excellence, thanks to the continued innovation and development that has taken place in this capital city. For this reason, it is often the first place people think of when considering Laser Eye Surgery. As the largest city in the UK, it stands to reason that London would have the highest density of Laser Eye Surgery clinics in the country. But how many private clinics are there in the capital?
When looking for a Laser Eye Surgery clinic in London, you will notice all the familiar names of national chains like Optimax and Optical Express. But you will also likely come across a number of names you haven’t heard before. That’s because independent Laser Eye Surgery clinics are rather abundant in London – and particularly in the Harley Street area.
In fact, there are over a dozen private Laser Eye Surgery clinics in Harley Street. Not only will you find the highest concentration of clinics in the UK here, but also a higher standard of treatment than you’re likely to find anywhere else. So, what makes these clinics so special, and how are they different to your average high-street Laser Eye Surgery provider?
The difference between chains and independent clinics
We are often asked what the real difference is between chain and independent Laser Eye Surgery clinics. And while we could go on forever discussing the many differences – from the technology and treatments on offer to the standard of care and outcomes – the fact is, it all really boils down to one thing: a dedication to quality over quantity.
The flaw in high street clinics
Laser Eye Surgery chains have become household names all across the country. This is hardly surprising considering they are a common feature of high streets all over the UK. But with so many locations, these chains are pressured to hit quotas and get a certain (extremely high) number of patients through the doors in order to survive. Inevitably, this impacts their entire approach to Laser Eye Surgery, from their marketing strategy to their screening and aftercare regimes.
As a result, patient experience and often standard of care can be forced to take a back seat. Unfortunately, while getting a good deal might appear like a good move, many patients don’t consider the implications this may have on their treatment and outcomes. In 2014, a comprehensive survey by consumer watchdog Which? found that many popular high street clinics were not spending enough time with patients, failing to explain treatment properly, and in the worst cases, pressuring customers into making rash decisions.
In this model, there is rarely enough profit to allow clinics to attract the best-trained surgeons or even acquire the latest technology. As such, treatment options are often limited, with many high street clinics simply being unable to treat many patients, such as those with higher prescriptions.
How private clinics are different
On the other hand, in private clinics, the focus is not on getting as many patients as possible through the door. Instead, offering the highest standard of care and treatment is the priority. At London Vision Clinic, this includes having a high staff-to-patient ratio, allowing us to provide a personalised experience to every patient.
Such clinics don’t rely on performing thousands of procedures to stay afloat: their prices reflect the actual cost of providing each treatment (that’s why they’re often higher). The difference here is that any profit made is directed back into the clinic, whether that be through conducting research, designing new treatments, or investing in the clinic’s technology and surgeons.
It’s clear which of these two models lends itself to safe and effective Laser Eye Surgery. But with so many private eye clinics on London’s Harley Street, how do you choose one? A good place to start is by doing a bit of research and finding out a clinic’s results of treating patients with a similar prescription to you.
To learn more about our available treatments and how we’ve delivered results for patients with prescriptions similar to your own, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators. Alternatively, Book a Consultation today to start your journey to clear vision.
