Optical Express has grown to become one of Europe’s leading providers of laser eye surgery. It operates over 200 clinics, of which 100 are specifically designated laser consultation clinics and 54 are laser treatment clinics.
With locations throughout the UK, Holland, Germany, Ireland, France and Croatia, Optical Express has carried out over one million laser eye surgery procedures worldwide. What’s more, over 99% of patients would recommend Optical Express to their friends and family.
Pros: Value for money, caring surgeons, 128 UK clinics, latest technology, dedicated aftercare
Cons: No fixed prices (talk to them for a quote)
☝ Compare clinics: See if there are any other top-rated clinics near you, and use our simple tool to receive a personalised quote.
- Optical Express Laser Eye Surgery Review
- Prices
- Treatments
- The Verdict
- Surgeon Reviews
- 1,806 Patient Reviews
1. Optical Express Laser Eye Surgery Review
I’m very happy with my laser treatment. There’s nothing to worry about – there’s no pain, and I would recommend it to anybody. The aftercare at Optical Express is also very good. I just wish i had done it years ago. – Philip Lavelle
Optical Express uses world leading technology, and their laser platform – the VISX S4IR – delivers safe, accurate and precise results. Fun fact: Optical Express is the only vision correction provider to invest in the iFS150 intraLASE in each of its clinics – the same technology that led to NASA backing laser eye surgery for astronauts in 2007.
Over 99% of Optical Express patients achieved 20/20 vision or better following treatment, according to a study carried out in June 2017.
With over 25 years’ experience in eye care, Optical Express boasts excellent surgical outcomes, and has invested £400 million in technology to offer advanced methods for vision correction.
Optical Express has 128 clinics in the UK alone – far more than any other eye surgery provider. Its locations include London, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Dublin, with many more situated in all corners of the country.
Here is how nearly 2,000 real customers rate Optical Express for its clinic, cost, treatments and surgeons:
| Optical Express Rating Overall | Clinic Rating | Cost Rating | Surgeon Rating | Treatments Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (4.6 out of 5) | (4.5 out of 5) | (4.8 out of 5) | (4.5 out of 5) | (4.7 out of 5) |
CQC Rating: Good
- Treating people with respect and involving them in their care
- Providing care, treatment and support that meets people’s needs
- Caring for people’s safely and protecting them from harm
- Staffing
- Quality and suitability of management
2. Optical Express Laser Eye Surgery Cost
True, it was an expensive operation, but I spent £500 a year on contact lenses and optician appointments – I see it as an investment! – Dave Reyner
(4.8 out of 5)
Laser eye surgery at Optical Express costs from just £595, or from £1,995 for lens replacement surgery. Of course, these prices depend on the treatment you choose, as well as your prescription, so you’ll want to pop in for a free consultation to get a tailored quote.
Optical Express is one of the cheapest laser eye surgery clinics in the UK. Its prices are well below average, compared to over 70 leading eye clinics and hospitals nationwide.
There are also a range of pay monthly finance options, so you can benefit from eye surgery for less than £50 a month – and it’s 0% finance for 10 month contracts.
Are there any hidden costs? No, the consultation is free, and you even get free eye tests worth £800. The only downside is not having fixed prices like at Optegra and Optimax, but at least the costs are lower at the end of the day.
Here are the prices of some of Optical Express’ popular lens and laser surgery options:
| Eye Surgery Procedure | Price (per eye) | Finance Options (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| LASEK | From £595 | £49.50 (10 months on 0% APR, £100 deposit) |
| LASIK | From £1,195 | £42.02 (for 18 months on 11.5% APR, £500 deposit) |
| LASEK (with iDesign) | From £1,495 | £41.69 (for 24 months on 11.5% APR, £500 deposit) |
| LASIK (with iDesign) | From £1,495 | £46.35 (for 24 months on 11.5% APR, £500 deposit) |
| Monofocal lens surgery | From £1,995 | £48.89 (for 36 months on 11.5% APR, £500 deposit) |
| Multifocal lens surgery | From £3,195 | £47.39 (for 72 months on 11.5% APR, £500 deposit) |
| Phakic IOL | From £3,395 | £47.39 (for 72 months on 11.5% APR, £500 deposit) |
| YAG | From £595 | N/A |
☛ Want a tailored quote? The only way to compare exact quotes is to see an eye expert for a check-up. These can cost up to £250, but with our simple tool, you can find out how much laser or lens surgery will cost you at Optical Express for free.
3. Laser Eye Surgery Treatments
Fantastic! I am so pleased I has the treatment – playing sports is so much easier! All the staff were very helpful, reassuring, and happy answering my questions. I’ll definitely be recommending Optical Express to everyone, their service is excellent! – Stephanie Yeadon
(4.7 out of 5)
Laser Eye Surgery
Laser eye surgery is a simple procedure that can correct your vision in a matter of minutes. Optical Express offers the most popular types: LASIK and LASEK (if you are not suitable for the surgical LASIK).
In both treatments, a cool beam advanced laser reshapes the cornea (the surface of your eye). Optical Express uses a technology called iDesign, which is based on Wavefront technology and takes thousands of eye measurements to produce the best results.
Lens Replacement
Optical Express has 20 years’ experience in lens replacement surgery. This surgery is a popular treatment for people with long distance vision, short distance vision, and even cataracts.
An eye consultant can help you decide which surgery best suits your needs:
- Refractive lens exchange (RLE) – This surgery replaces the natural lens with a synthetic intraocular lens (IOL) implant.
- Phakic IOL – This type of IOL is an alternative to laser eye surgery for patients with strong prescriptions.
- YAG laser treatment – YAG laser capsulotomy is a non-invasive procedure used to treat refractive former lens exchange patients whose vision starts to fade over the years.
Cataract Surgery
Optical Express performs the highest number of cataract surgeries – after the NHS, according to its website.
Cataracts are small, blurry patches on your eyes, giving you cloudy vision. Cataract surgery involves removing your damaged lens, and replacing it with a premium synthetic one for sharper near and distance vision.
Aftercare
Optical Express custom-fits its aftercare plan to every patient. This plan includes any medication that will aid the healing process, optometrist-led follow-up appointments, and an out-of-hours medical helpline.
Patients receive 12 months’ continued care as standard, and Optical Express recommends annual examinations to maintain your eye health.
Safety Record
All surgical procedures carry a degree of risk. However, laser eye surgery has an impressive success rate, and is the most popular elective surgery in the world.
99.2% of patients achieved at least 20|20 vision following surgery at Optical Express, based on a study of 190,231 Optical Express patients with the most common prescriptions. That’s why this eye clinic promises 20|20 vision or your money back.
Just be aware that the risks increase the more complicated the surgery. Optical Express will provide a screening service to check whether you are suitable for surgical treatment.
4. The Verdict
I can highly recommend Optical Express. They are very professional, and the procedure was pain free. The best thing now is I can see very well without glasses – and it was only done 3 weeks ago. – Elaine Gibson
(4.6 out of 5)
Optical Express is the best voted place for laser and lens replacement surgery, based on nearly 9,000 independent reviews on Lasik Eyes since 2002. With hard-to-beat prices, leading technology, and fully qualified surgeons, this clinic tops the list of best laser eye surgery clinics in the UK, as well as taking the crown for:
- Best eye surgery in London
- Best eye surgery in Scotland
- Best eye surgery in Manchester
- Best eye surgery in Bristol
But is it right for you? 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 thousands of readers a day get one step closer to 20/20 sight:
- Find the top clinic in seconds: Answer three questions to be matched with the leading eye clinic in your area
- Check you’re eligible in minutes: Receive a quick call to check you can get surgery (we don’t 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 (worth £800) and personalised quote (with no obligation)
☛ Click here to find the best clinic near you, and receive a tailored quote.
5. Optical Express Surgeons
Mr Mehul Damani
MBBS, MS, DOMS, DNB, FRCS
Mr Luca Antico
MD
Mr Manek Patel
MD, RCOph
Mr Dimitri Kazakos
MD, MRCOphth
Dr Mohammed Shabbar Kazmi
MBBS, FRCS(Opth)
Mr Jonathan Carr
MD MA(Cantab) FRCOphth
Doctor Jan Venter
MD
Mr Khalid Khan
MBBS FRCS FRCOphth
Mr Jacobus Pauw
MBChB MMedOphth FCSOphth
Mr Sanjay Mantry
FRCOphth FRCS FRCS
Mr Andre Oberholster
MBChb MMedOphth
Mr Stefan Klopper
MBChB FCS
Mr Waseem Aziz
MB ChB FRCS
Mr Alex George
FRCOphth, FRCS MS, DOMS, DNB
6. Optical Express Reviews
Shirley MacGillivray
It has been a month since I had my surgery. It has been great. The staff at Optical Express, George Street in Edinburgh have been absolutely fantastic. Really reassuring when needed. The surgery was much better than I thought it would be and I was really surprised at how quickly I could see after the procedure - mind you, my legs were a bit wobbly and I thought it best to go back home to rest rather than have a wander around the shops with my friend - everything has a downside. I have had my one month follow up check and am really pleased to find out that I have better than 20:20 vision. Why didn't I do this before. Thanks so much to Annie Crowe, Susanna Boytha, John Pearson, Sinead Higgins and not leaving out Raymond McMillan - you've been fantastic.
Katy
Hi, I have just had my consulatation yesterday at Optical Express Milton Keynes, They say my pupils are classed as large and that my presciption is high (left -4.50 and Right -6.50 with astigmatism) therefore I am recommended to have Wavefront Lasik or Lasek for the price of £2490, thats £1245 per Eye!! The price is a lot higher than what I expected but hopefully the result will be good. I am booked to have my surgery in early August with surgeon Mr STEFAN KLOPPER. Does anyone have similar symptons as I and have had Wavefront op? Was your price similar to my price? Any comments on Mr Stefan Klopper? Any feedback good or bad would be much appreciated as I am very worried. Thanks in advance for your kind helps.
Sarah
Update - 3 months post Wavefront Lasik @ Milton Keynes. I still have prescription & astigmatism in both eyes. They have got a little worse since my check up @ 2 months. Still have dryness so using ViscoTears morning & night, vision fluctuates daily & I now have a twitchy left eyelid!! Gotta go back in 3 months (so I'll be 6 months post-op) & hopefully I'll be considered for an enhancement. Still great being free from glasses/contacts though. General wandering around I don't realize my vision is a bit dodgy, it's just when I have to read something, like the departure screen @ the airport last week, I realize everyone else can read it & I can't :-(
Carla Tapia
Just a few hours after the surgery and I can see clearly, I should have done this a long time ago. The staff were very helpful and supportive I can't thank them enought. Shaftesbury Avenue / July 2006
Catriona Barritt
I would say it was the best thing i have ever done and had no hesitation to have the op after the consultation. The staff were all very professional and helpful
J Greenough
Had Lasik Wavefront over a month ago - I'm just at driving standard but still noticeably short sighted - no clarity at all and suffer in artificial light. Paying extra for Wavefront served absolutely no benefit to me. I'd recommend you only have laser treatment if you are prepared to live with having eyesight worse than when you wear your glasses or contact lenses. I would also recommend you do your research and read all the websites. I rushed into it, and if i had read a few of the honest comments on here stating that it may go wrong, i would have not gone through with it. I personally regret having it done and i am worried about having a re-op to correct my vision yet i cannot wear contact lenses because my eyes are too dry and uncomfortable.
robert patterson
I had eye laser eye treatment done at the Newcastle branch of optical express and found it was the best money i ever spent i wish i got it done years ago many thanks to all the staff.
Michael Hall
I was very anxious about having lazer surgery as anything to do with eyes scores me. However, staff were very reassuring and although surgery uncomfortable, it was painless and worth it as by next day I hardly felt anything and could see a big difference in my long sight!
Amanda Jones
I had my initial LASIK treatment in May 05 at the Newcastle branch, but having a high prescription, astigmatisms and large pupils meant I suffered some regression and have needed enhancements. I've just had my final treatment and couldn't be happier with the outcome. I cannot fault the staff here, they have been fantastic and very reassuring throught out the past 14 months. All the staff have been extremely friendly and professional, the clinic location is very close to the town centre so is very easily accessible and the clinic itself is at a very high standard. I would highly recommend the Newcastle Optical Express to everyone.
Simon Hodgson
I had my Treatment at Optical Express in Reading. I couldn't reccomend the treatment enough, its opened up so many possibilities that I couldn't have done before. The customer service was equally superb. They made me feel so at ease throughout the whole process. The waiting is without a doubt the worst part of the whole thing. But after the surgery that was it!!!! The freedom without glasses is superb!
