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Ultralase

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2746 Reviews

Almost(!) painless-after wearing glasses for about 25 years a new window had been opened. Very good Staff, very good after care very worthwhile ...Read more

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:

  1. Find the top clinic in seconds: Answer three questions to be matched to the leading eye clinic in your area
  2. 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)
  3. 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

RatingDate

17 Dec 2012

The official price for my procedure listed at ultralase website at the actual date of my surgery (14/12/2012) was 800 GBP lower than the one on my contract signed at the end of October (my surgery was initially scheduled for November, and I was told December is 'full'; however, the procedure had to be postponed due to conjunctivitis). I have not questioned the price initially, wrongly considering it to be a fixed price for a health product rather than a negotiable business deal (or something bound to change during the 'full' December?) The procedure went fine, all was explained properly, the surgeon was kind, calm and reassuring, taking the effort to announce constantly that we are all doing fine. I am less enthusiastic about the aftercare. On the second day check-up, I was adviced to double the frequency of predforte drops (mild inflammation in both eyes) but without upgrading my predforte stocks and with the next visit scheduled in 4 days time (Wed). I ran out of the preforte drops on Monday morning, I learnt the cambridge clinic is closed on Mondays, and the 'on call' staff together with the peterborough clinic offered that I can come and pick up the drops in Peterborough (optimax), which I did (no other options offered) and after about 8 hours break resumed my hourly treatment with every intention not to spill a single drop.

04 Dec 2012

To anyone considering Ultralase treatments (or Optimax for that matter) - beware! Ultralase has just been bought by Optimax, which means you will be treated by Optimax even if you pay the considerably higher Ultralase prices. Ultralase have kept, in my opinion, unprofessionally quiet about this, to the point that I was treated by Ultralase very recently, only to be told now that my local clinic has just closed (!) and that Optimax will be in charge of my aftercare. It is like paying for a Ferrari and then being told that, actually, Ferrari has been bought by VW and so I will get some VW components in the car instead of the paid-for Ferrari ones, and that any servicing and repair in future (paid for in advance to Ferrari) will be done by VW. To make matters worse, the transition period is being frankly chaotic, as I now don't have a local clinic to go to, I am getting mixed and delayed responses to my queries, and my eyes are already suffering the consequences of the delay in aftercare. All in all, thoroughly unprofessional of both Ultralase and Optimax.

04 Dec 2012

To anyone considering Ultralase treatments (or Optimax for that matter) - beware! Ultralase has just been bought by Optimax, which means you will be treated by Optimax even if you pay the considerably higher Ultralase prices. Ultralase have kept, in my opinion, unprofessionally quiet about this, to the point that I was treated by Ultralase very recently, only to be told now that my local clinic has just closed (!) and that Optimax will be in charge of my aftercare. It is like paying for a Ferrari and then being told that, actually, Ferrari has been bought by VW and so I will get some VW components in the car instead of the paid-for Ferrari ones, and that any servicing and repair in future (paid for in advance to Ferrari) will be done by VW. To make matters worse, the transition period is being frankly chaotic, as I now don't have a local clinic to go to, I am getting mixed and delayed responses to my queries, and my eyes are already suffering the consequences of the delay in aftercare. All in all, thoroughly unprofessional of both Ultralase and Optimax.

18 Aug 2012

I'm currently 3 months post-op and am left with a residual prescription of L(-1.0, -0.75) R(-0.75,-0.25).I'm below legal driving standard and forced to wear RX glasses for any activity requiring distance vision: driving, tennis, TV etc. (My pre-op prescription was about -5,-1.25 both eyes). Obviously I am not yet satisfied with the results given that I had the most expensive (and hyped) treatment option - the ultra elite.I've been told that it is a waiting game between now and 6 months post-op at which point I will be assessed for and likely require a LASIK enhancement surgery to achieve full correction. Here is a recap on my experiences with LASIK and Ultralase so far: I've been considering lasik for many years now, but the recent advancements in bladeless Intralase flap creation gave me the confidence to take the plunge. At my first consultation with Ultralase in Jan 2011 I was asked to hold off a further 12 months due to ensure my prescription was stable. I was happy with the risk averse attitude and lack of pressure to proceed with the surgery. After a subsequent assessment the following year I finally had the LASIK procedure done in May 2012. The optometrist (Rachna) in the Reading clinic with whom I've had my consultations and follow up has been very professional and helpful. I've been able to reach her on the phone for advise and setup additional follow up sessions to address concerns. The surgeon, Osama Giledi seemed to be well qualified and trusted based on my research and was pleasant to deal with. I was able to consult him in person prior to surgery (in Guildford) to have some questions answered.The procedure itself was quick, if a bit stressful at one point when I was asked not to move my left eye so much, but I had no idea that I was moving it in the first place or how to stop it! I had bruising in both eyes from the suction ring (harmless side effect - subconjunctival hemorrhage) which went away in 2 weeks. There was some initial stinging and light sensitivity after the anesthetic wore off, but no major discomfort beyond the first 24 hours. Luckily symptoms such as dry eyes, halos and starbursts I had read so much about have not been a problem. In conclusion, I have much improved vision, but still dependant on glasses and weary about prospect of having the lasik flaps lifted and the eyes re-lasered. I'll update this review in 3 months time ... watch this space!

10 Aug 2012

BE FOREWARNED Ultralase has no problems in waiting your time. Clearly is you have an issue with being short sighted or long sighted then this treatment may well work. Here is my experience. I made an appointment to attend the Chelmsford clinic on Wednesday the 8th of August 2012 at 14.30. I was informed that I had to set aside two hours and that the required my credit card detail to cover none attendance. I’ve had issues with my eyes for many years and have had to attend an eye clinic for monitoring. I’ve had no treatment or medication. Before attending the appointment, I decided that it would be prudent to get as much medical history about my eyes as possible, so I paid £18 to my doctor. Studying this information it turned out that I have several issues which hadn’t been explained to me. mild Thyroid Disease, Epiretinal membrane, Vitreous detachment a possible course of distortion in my left eye, Early nuclear cataracts. Vitreous opacity, most of these have question marks next to them, after researching these issues and having doubts as to whether treatment was possible I realised that it was unlikely. I contacted Ultralase to ask if they thought there was any point in my attending the appointment, they were clear that they thought I should, but it was up to me, they said that until I had been toughly examined no decision could be made. When said that by their own price list states that possible nuclear cataracts, would start me off at £7000. I was told that I’d be surprised at just how much can be done for far less than that. On attending the clinic the young female staff were friendly, offering coffee and to make a phone call to my lift, as my eyes would be blurred and light sensitive and again I was told it would take two hours. Everyone I encountered seemed friendly, store friendly, as here was a possible potential of up to £7000. It came to my time and I was called, you may think I’m being unreasonable here, but I was called by my first name, which I considered unprofessional , I wasn’t asked how I’d like to be addressed . I was asked to attend the examination room. I asked the person who took me there, she turned out to be the optometrist, how much experience she had and what her qualifications were, Smiling at me she asked, why do I look young. I said, no, I said the information pack tells potential clients to ask questions as they go along. She seemed offended, but told me. I informed her that I’d brought my current medication list, last three eye examinations, the history of my eyes and the findings, a synopses of this and a list of questions. She seemed surprised. She sat me down and did my eye pressure, this took five minutes. She then took me to another room and read my information, this took another five minutes. She looked at me and said that considering my eye issues; even if they changed the lenses on my eyes to deal with the possible cataracts this could easily make the distortion in my left eye worse. They would also have problems with the possible Thyroid Disease and the other stuff was also a problem. I was back in the waiting room in fifteen minutes, No further tests were tried. They staff’s attitude towards me had reversed, they were no longer particularly pleasant and when I pointed out that I’d informed the phone staff about my eye issues and was still encouraged to attend and therefore they had wasted my day and that they should reimburse my costs to and from the clinic. I was told that I didn’t have to attend, it was my choice and it was nothing to do with them. At least they didn’t try and continue with the treatment. So again beware.

26 Jul 2012
No Rating

*** So as to provide a balanced view this posting has been edited with comments received from Ultralase - No further correspondence or response will be allowed due to the time that has lapsed since the consultation Mr Tomlinson had with Ultralase back in 2000 - Thank you to Ultralase for their prompt response to this posting - Lasik-Eyes*** Posting made July 2012 by: Michael Francis Tomlinson I had lasik to both eyes with Ultralase in Dec' 2000. As a result I've suffered so much on a daily basis from what they did to my eyes. I have a huge starburst from light sources e.g. car headlights even during the day, and ghosting at night also. When I look at orange streetlights at night it's as though I'm looking through scratched plastic. My peviously perfect QUALITY OF VISION has been utterly ruined. I dread the winter months when the nights are longer because of the night vision problems that I now have. When I had my consultation with Ultralase I was not told before surgery the following information which would definitely have affected my decision as to whether to have this procedure carried out on my eyes. I was not told that the lasik flap that is created NEVER HEALS/INTERGRATES back into the corneal tissue. I was not told of the risk of developing wrinkles/striae in the corneas (which I have) as a result of having lasik flaps cut. On my original consultation notes there are comments that I could possibly get "flare" due to my pupil size but I didn't know that it was pretty much certain that my quality of vision would be ruined. I have found out many years later that there were (and are) clinics that would screen out people like myself with large dilated pupils as it's deemed essential for a good visual outcome. I feel now that Ultralase took my money for commercial benefit without doing what was in my (the patients) best interests. I would not have contemplated having laser eye surgery with Ultralase all those years ago if I had been aware of the facts about this procedure that I now know. How I wish I'd kept my glasses and not had my quality of life severely compromised by what's been done to me. ***Comments from Ultralase*** “We’re sorry to hear that Mr. Tomlinson was not satisfied with the treatment he received back in Dec 2000. All patients are covered by a lifetime care guarantee and so in cases such as this, we’d recommend that the patient comes back to the clinic for assessment and further advise about any problems they may have post treatment. There have been substantial technology changes since Dec 2000, including IntraLase and Wavefront technology. We’d be more than happy to see Mr. Tomlinson to investigate any further options available to him.”

10 Jun 2012

I had my eye surgery four weeks age at the Birmingham clinic. I was aware that the Lasek treatment was a slower recovery and I found this the only niggle, although looking back it wasn't that bad at all! The first half an hour was great, instant vision and pain free, until the anaesthetic drops wear off! I didn't open my eyes from 5pm Saturday until late Sunday morning, it was painful and gritty but I found pain killers, the drops and keeping my eyes shut kept it at bay. You need to have someone with you to help with the drops as there are three lots every two hours, and prising your eyes open yourself can be a challenge! The afternoon after surgery I could watch TV but found the light difficult to cope with - I wore sunglasses for 48 hours or so. I had hoped to go back to work on Monday, but I couldn't be in the light, so stayed home with curtains drawn and sunglasses on! Tuesday was much better although the protective lens became dry and irritable in my one eye, I did go back to work though and used a computer all day. When it was time to go back for the lens removal on the Wednesday, I really had had enough of the lenses as they were rubbing the underside of my eye lid, painful! Vision was great from day two, but the lenses and the drops do hinder it, and it's not really until the lenses come out that you can appreciate the difference. My vision took a week to be very good and a fortnight to be perfect. A month on I only use the drops in an evening as I have dry patches in my right eye - nothing worse than a bit of hayfever. It really is life changing and my vision is much better than it ever was with glasses, even colours seem better! It is amazing to walk out of the door and see leaves on trees, clouds and rooftiles without specs! I have even bought trendy sunglasses for the first time in my life! If you are debating surgery just go for it....if you're lucky enough to be able to have LASIK, even better are the recovery is quick. If you need LASEK then keep three days aside and be prepared to do nothing, very boring but worth it in the long run! Best money I have ever spent and the service at Ultralase is exceptional from start to finish! :)

28 May 2012

I went to have treatment at the Tottenham Court Road branch by Mr Gupta. Everything was explained to me beforehand including using the drops afterwards. Unfortunately, the suction that is used to keep your eyes open when they make the flap wouldn't stay, Mr Gupta tried 5 times and wouldn't do anymore after that because it wasn't safe. He gave me some antibiotic eye drops and said that it was very rare that this happened but that I could wait for my eye to heal and go back in 2 weeks and try again, which I'm going to do. He was very good at explaining everything to me, and the nurses were really sweet and helpful. Really impressed with them and hopefully next time the suction will work!!

08 Apr 2012

I had my treatment back in July 2011. The process was very smooth as my surgeon guided me on what to do and it seemed that he knew very well what he was doing. My right eye started to become very painful and tearful 20 minutes after the treatment and the pain lasted until the next day. My vision was improved very slowly although I achieved driving standard one week after the treatment. I started driving two weeks after the treatment but I couldn't see the road signs until I got so close that I almost missed my way. However, I was not able to read very well and did not read any papers or book on the train three months after the treatment. I also have to enlarge the fonts on the computer screen until now or I am unable to see anything clearly. In January, the optometrist verified that the prescription of my astigmatism has gone up by 0.5. I will be offered a retreatment with no cost but I am not sure if I want another treatment. Apart from this, I personally think Ultralase does provide very good customer service. The optometrists have been seeing me very frequently since I had my treatment as I complaint that I couldn't see perfectly. What I couldn't deny is that I do manage to see without glasses!!

08 Feb 2012

Was so pleased with the left eye, that I went back 6 months later and had the right eye done. They still weren't happy enough with the shape to do Lasik, so I had Lasek with MMC. On the day, the laser in St Albans was down, so they took me by taxi to Northampton, treated me and drove me home. It took AGES all in, but it was 23 december and the team stayed till 20:30 at night to treat everyone. Lasek healing is slower, but I am really pleased. Got flowers at my one month checkup because of all the messing me around!


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