The first Ultralase clinic was opened in January 1991 at the Clatterbridge Hospital near Chester. At the time, all treatments performed were Photorefractive Keratotomy, or PRK, until the Lasik procedure was introduced in 1995.
With the introduction of Lasik, and the clear advantages it demonstrated for certain patients, Ultralase went through a period of dramatic growth through 2002.
2003 Ultralase introduced the revolutionary UltraPlus treatment with Wavefront technology, giving patients visual outcomes far surpassing those of standard laser treatments. Ultralase became the first provider to have all treatment outcomes verified by independent audit.
In March 2009, the commitment to clinical excellence led Ultralase to become the first UK provider to have all Great Britain surgeons certified in Laser Refractive Surgery by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth).
Ultralase Prices
Ultralase comes in second place in our list of the best laser eye surgery clinics in the UK for price, just after Optical Express. That’s because this clinic offers the full shebang: transparent prices, 0% finance options, free consultations, and competitive prices.
The cost of eye surgery at Ultralase ranges between £1,1695 and £2,995 (per eye), depending on the treatment type that you agree upon in discussion with a surgeon. These prices are in line with the average cost of eye surgery, but not quite as low as Optical Express.
Treatments Offered
You can count on Ultralase for the main laser eye and lens replacement surgery procedures. These include: LASIK and LASEK with Wavefront options, as well as refractive lens exchange (RLE), implantable contact lenses, and cataract surgery.
Is Ultralase Right for You?
With nearly 3,000 overall positive reviews from independent customers in the UK, Ultralase is one of the best-rated laser eye surgery clinics by patients. People value this clinic for its:
- Friendly prices – Fixed and reasonable prices help you know what to expect.
- Nationwide clinics – Ultralase has 20 clinics in the UK, including in London, Reading and St Albans.
- Decent aftercare – Ultralase provides free aftercare – one check-up and drops for the first three months.
Despite glowing reviews, however, it’s worth reading the fine print if you do choose Ultralase. In 2015, BBC’s Watchdog exposed the problems countless laser eye surgery patients have experienced accessing their lifelong aftercare.
Most user reviews on Lasik Eyes show happy experiences, but then again most people never need to take advantage of their lifetime guarantee. If you would like to find out whether Ultralase is the top-rated laser eye surgery clinic near you, we’re here to help.
Still, Ultralase features in several of Lasik Eyes’ lists of top-rated eye surgery:
Find Your Perfect Match
The only way to find out is to see if you’re eligible for 20/20 vision or your money back, and to get a tailored quote. That’s why we make it easy to pop in for a free consultation, have free eye tests (worth £800), and talk through your options with an eye expert.
Next steps: Our simple tool helps our readers every day get closer to going glasses free:
- Find the top clinic in seconds: Answer three questions to be matched to the leading eye clinic in your area
- Check you’re eligible in minutes: Receive a quick call to check you can get surgery (we will never share your number with anyone else)
- Book a free consultation: Talk to an expert at a clinic you can trust for a free eye test and personalised quote (with no obligation)
☛ Click here to find the top-rated clinic near you, and get a tailored quote.
Ultralase Reviews
Angela Gibbins
I have a perscription of -3L and -2.5R and an astigmatism of -4.5L and -4.00 R and am thinking of laser surgery. I would like to hear from any one who has had treatment with a similar perscription to mine so I can get some idea what to expect. Thanks
joan
thinking of having laser eye treatment done soon but am worried about driving at night. has anyone had problems with night time driving?
Steve Farrow
I am thinking of having corrective surgery. I have read most of the feed back on Ultaralase which seems to predomantly positive. I am a sceptic and know filtering goes on so if there is anyone out there who is less than happy with their experiences please email me direct also stating which clinic you used Thanks
Helen Mansell
I am having my surgery tomorrow at the Tottenham Court Road clinic. I'm obviously feeling apprehensive but I can't help feeling excited too. I keep looking over the top of my glasses at the view from my desk to try and memorise how little I can actually see. I really hope that it goes well and that I don't regret it. Everyone was so nice when I went for my tests so I expect to feel perfectly at ease when I arrive. I'm having Lasik with the intralase technology to cut the flap rather than the blade. I'm very glad I found this site and was able to read about others experiences, it really helps reassure you.
Nick Collingwood
I am due to go for a consultation next week, was wondering if anyone out there had any floaters prior to surgery ? and if this made any differance. Can reply back to me @ Nick . collingwood @ hays-travel . co . uk Thanks
Esther Brown
Have been for my first consulation on Saturday 4th Nov at the Newcastle Clinic and have been told that I have very thin cornea's with the added complication of having large pupils. The surgeon that was on duty said he wouldn't perform the surgery but I was told another two surgeons also worked out of the clinic and my file would be passed to them to see if they would perform Lasek. I was wondering if anyone else had had this problem and whether they actually went ahead with surgery and what the results were. I had no doubts before I went for the consultation but now am having seconf thoughts and doubts. HELP!!
Nicola Pezzi
Like everybody I have been reading about eye surgery for the last 6-7 years. At the beginning of the year I decided that it was time to have at least the initial consultation and booked with Ultralase in Tottenham Court Road and Accuvision in Fulham simply because they both had a substantial number of reviews and good ratings. The first visit was at Ultralase and was awful, I was seen by 3-4 different people, all perfomed different tests and printed results on paper but nothing was discussed with me. Finally I was taken into a room with the sales person that judging by the results told me I was a candidate for Lasek (which I knew nothing about because I always looked into Lasik), and then said I could have 3 different treatments with different prices but obviously if I wanted to avoid side effects I should have gone for the most expensive one (!!!). After all of this she asked me if I wanted to book the surgery and obviously I refused. One week later I went for the consultation at Accuvision and I now post my comments there.
GEORGIA WILLIAMS
having opted for wavefront at a cost of £1500 per eye i expected good results but have been left with a prescription of -1 in both eyes with some astigmatism. my prescription prior to treatment was fairly average (-4.0 in both eyes with astigmatism). they advised me the treatment had not been fully successful at my weekly follow up appointment but was not able to see the surgeon to discuss it as he was 'busy treating people'. although they have paid for new glasses and are prepared to offer an enhancement in three months time at no extra cost i have been disappointed with the lack of information they have given me as to why this has happened. i pushed to get an appointment with the surgeon but he offered me only five minutes of his time to review me. the only explanation they have offered is that it's something to do with the 'healing process' but beyond this i am no clearer.
Samantha Yates
I went for a consultation at Ultralase's Tottenham Court Road branch in London. Everyone was very helpful and friendly, but I did feel a bit passed around from one person to the next. The optician was very informative, and as I had a small prescription (-1.0 and -1.25) told me that I would be suitable for any of their procedures - it was up to me. However when I was passed to the final person - the salesman - he basically rubbished the cheaper two options, and really implied that the only sensible choice to make was the £3000 wavefront option. When I explained that this was out of my budget, he tried desperatley to sell the £2600 option instead. The basic Lasik at £2000 was barely even mentioned. He made me feel like a fool for wanting a cheaper option on something so important as my eyes. Beleive me I understand how important my eyes are, but price does not neccessarily equal quality, and if Ultralase are that uncertain about the resluts of their basic Lasik service, then why offer it? I ended up having my treatment at Accuvision in Fulham, where there was no pressure, and only 2 procedures offered which are based on your prescription and eyes, rather than choice.
John Morris
This is just a note of caution amongst all these hugely postive notes. I had Lasek for -4.25 / -1.50 astigmatism in oth eyes on 3 March 2006 and am having significant problems entering week 8, and I am not totally re-assured by Ultralase's treatment to date. My right eye's epithelial took 5 wks to heal which is apparently very long; at that point I was about 20/20 in my left but had -1.75 in my right eye. Since then both eyes have regressed due to corneal haze according to Vinod Gupta my surgeon. I have been told to wait anotehr month for a checkup and that this could take up to 12 months to clear. Ultralase haev supplied no other info on other similar cases and can't give any guess as to how long this situation will persist -- I think they are guessing. I feel as if they could at least do some research among other professionals / publications to check this out and give me more feedback. It's very alarming to have your vision slip back after surgery with no real explanation or prognosis. In retrospect for Lasek I wold ask mroe about the surgeon's experience with hazing / corneal scarring, the frequencey it has happened and the time it took to clear. To anyone considering Lasek I would just say, despite all the rave reviews there are some real risks the results of which I am having to deal with after two months with the prospect of another 10 months or potentially longer and even then my sight may need further treatment. And that without a whole lot of back-up from Ultralase who don't appear to be that worried about my situation.
