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
Brian Price
Further to my last posting I have just attended my 6th vist to the clinic in less than two weeks.. I certainly can't complain about the attention and aftercare I am receiveing....Left eye is doing fine but the abrasion on the right is proving a little stubborn in healing... Things are getting better and I have yet another appointment on Saturday to see how things are going... I have decided to publish a diary on the web so that others may benefit from my experience... www.bdprice.alphaphe.com/LASIK.htm
Tango_Charlie
I turned up to have my surgery at Chelmsford only to be told at the reception desk that there were problems with the humidifier. Not a great start! Waited 5 ½ hours and then told to go home! To their credit they did arrange a taxi to take me to Tottenham Court Road the very next morning. Tottenham Court Road was very good and professional and I can’t fault them or the surgery, in fact, the pre-surgery adviser had a lovely pair of eyes herself and I forgot to ask her if she’d had it. The surgery was carried out by Dr Gupta and appeared to go very well although my heart was banging a bit! my problem since is that it is very difficult to find someone within Chelmsford who can re-assure me. My eyes keep going blurry which may, or may not be part of the healing process. I have made several phone calls to Chelmsford and visited them but I always feel un-advised at the end. They have a very good consultation advisor but what about a post-operation advisor? Chelmsford appears very new and slightly un-professional. Hopefully they are improving all the time though.
Pete
I am Considering UL as they are local to me, but how have they been in business for so long how come companies house shows incorporation as 1999 ? *** Answer… This is because UL used to be The Corneal Laser Centre, only changing to Ultralase after a management buyout ***'Zeus***
Chris O’Leary
Had consultation early August. Told my prescription was very high because of my astigmatism so they could not guarantee results. Also warned me there was a 5% chance that after surgery I would not be able to drive even WITH new glasses/contacts. Who's going to take that risk? After consultation I was passed to a so called "counsellor" who was supposed to talk through the issues with me but she just said "well, you're not having the treatment, bye" or words to that effect.
Martha Shephard
I have had a consultation at Tottenham Ct Rd clinic and have been told that I am suitable for LASIK. I found the consultant there very helpful and she answered my millions of questions! Very happy about this because I'm always wanted to have this op, don't like wearing glasses/contacts and have to due to my high prescription (approx -5.5). I've been told that there is a 50% chance that I could suffer from halo vision i.e. thin fuzzy light around fluorescent light at night-time. Have been told that the effect is subjective. I would be very grateful if anyone could let me know of their halo vision experiences and if they thought it was worth having this halo vision to not require glasses anymore? Also, my surgeon will be Pascal Annonier (if I decide to go ahead with it in Jan). If anyone has any info/comments I would be so grateful. Will write again about what decision I have made and if I do have op, how it all went.
Gary Jeffs
Well done with this web site, its great to get unbiased information. As I found it so useful I thought it only fair to contribute. I had my surgery at Ultralase Cardiff last Friday by Dr Cherry. Apparently I was an ideal patient for LASIK at -1.25 -2.25. I intend to write a full account but in the meantime here are my experiences to date: Very good preparation, Very poor timekeeping (never been seen on time), so far: average aftercare, operation interrupted by technical difficulties, doesn’t hurt but sure is one of the most unpleasant things I've experienced, mild discomfort and blurred vision for first two days, day 1 aftercare discovered cornea abrasions which weren’t fully explained (apparently occur with 5% of operations), day 3 aftercare abrasions healing vision still blurred test shows small prescription remains. I still have blurry vision and suspect I still have a prescription, Day 7 aftercare tomorrow. So many of your reviewers seem to have miracle 24 hr results, I almost feel hard done by. To summarise: so far I am disappointed with the process and the results but I must confess that I am the most impatient of patients. Watch this space!
Ray L
My comments are average as I have not been to the Birmingham Clinic yet. I was told I must wear glasses for 7 days before an appointment to let my cornea return to a "normal" shape which has annoyed me. I have to now purchase glasses and wear these for 7 days so far this seems the worst thing!! Other than that the lady I phoned seemed helpful & friendly. I will let everyone here know how things progress. Ray, Dudley, UK
John Bleazard
I had LASIK in 1997 by Mr Paul Cherry in Leeds (even then I think he had done about 100 LASIK operations). 5 years later still no problems (touch wood). I did not have bilateral treatment as this seemed just too risky. 15 minutes after the operation on my second eye. The flap came loose! Went back into have it put back in place, then 5 minutes later it came loose again. Eventually on the third attempt it stayed in place (by this time he was considering putting a stitch in my eye to keep the flap in place!). Short term effects of this were a lot of pain for 24hrs. Long term effects - probably slight poorer vision. I think the main thing is to have an experienced surgeon, so if there is a complication, there's a good chance he can overcome it.
Angela Stevens
after having my left eye treated at the above clinic on 1st Nov., I can say I am really pleased with my result. It is not perfect, but my prescription was -6.5 and my sight is getting better each day. no pain, which I am grateful of, and can't wait to get my other eye treated so I can perhaps wander around without specs
Linda
Had my consultation this morning and all questions dealt with. Very professional and realistic. I am keen to go ahead only worried about coping 4 weeks with one eye, how are you managing Angela?
