Optical Express

Went for my laser eye in jan and I have to say its worth all the pain and pennies. My eyesight were -2.25 both eyes and stay the same number for about 14 years since i started wearing glasses. My surgery went smoothly. I dont need to wear glasses anymore and my lyf is much better as you dont have to worry about them during holidays, sunglasses is much easier to wear as i can see clearly unlike before where I could not wear sunglasses unless i wear contact lenses. I pay about £46 per week and it is a two year interest free payment. Surgery took about 6 minutes and the laser took 30 sec per eye. You get a bit of discomfort but after a good sleep, it goes away leaving you with the amasing feeling. Ed - Thank you.

I had Wavefront Lasik laser eye surgery at Optical Express 3 weeks ago and my vision is perfect! I chose Optical Express after reading many reviews and after a successful and very friendly consultation. I was a little sceptic about high street opticians when it concerned my eyes, however I decided to go with it and 2 weeks after my consultation I had my surgery at Bristol Cribbs Causeway. My surgeon was Luca Antico. I couldn't find many reviews on the surgeon himself prior my treatment and that had me worried a little, however he couldn't have been more friendly and calming on my arrival. He answered all of my silly questions with a huge smile and comforted me all the way through the procedure which was completely painless. I was told that after the procedure I might feel milt pain, my eyes will feel uncomfortable as if I have sand in them, they might be sensitive to light for a while BUT I experienced none of that. The first few hours after the surgery I slept and after I woke up my eyes felt perfect and on my first appointment 24 hours after my surgery I had better than 20/20 vision! To help me with the cost of the surgery I got given a £150. voucher. [Ed] - Paragraph on Vouchers removed

I really recommend this treatment with optical expres, its amazing being able to see with the freedom of no glasses! If anyone would like a voucher for £150 Optical Express surgery, please email me at laura.boyes@hotmail.co.uk

i was very shortsighted and fed up of wearing specs so I decided to go for a chat about laser eye surgery at optical express. they checked my eyes out and told me the surgery was available in two days time for me! as i had only gone in for a chat i was shocked at how quickly my vision could be permanently fixed. I went for the surgery, as a student i opted for a finance option, meaning I payed a £200 deposit and the rest is to be paid monthly. The surgery itself lasted only 10 mins and although a little nerve racking it was over before i knew it. i didn't feel a thing but the thought of "eye surgery" never goes down well! but it really is a simple and quick procedure. My eyes are now better than 20/20, waking up the day after the surgery is surreal! healing time for me was about 2 days. during those 2 days my eyes felt a little dry but not painful. (ed - removed reference to voucher) hope this was helpful, Joel.

Optical Express were simply brilliant. Everything from the warm welcome of the counselling staff (shreeya Mistry), consultation with Pretti Khakhar to the treatment with the surgeon was seamless. Throughout the process I felt totally comfortable and in control - thanks to the staff and their attention to detail and care. I would recommend the treatment and Optical Express without any hesitation to anyone!

All went as described great service from al staff

Mr Luka Antico the surgeon, at Southampton Optical Express.

Brilliant, the only slight fly in the ointment being a late and hence overly long initial consultation.

To those narked by the sales pitch, well they arent doing it for charity, so anyone contemplating it, go in with your, ahem, eyes open and play the long game. Bit like buying a new car.

My initial quote for eyes that were -5/-4.75 was £4600 and it is prescription dependent. I said nothing and they talked themselves down to £3800 within 2 minutes. I walked out saying I’ll think about it, and waited. They called me 5 days later on a bank holiday. I told them it was too expensive and knew others who had got it cheaper. They offered it for £3000 if I went in for an empty slot within the next 10 days, which I was happy to do. I even got 10 months interest free. From speaking to a couple of friends who’ve been through it, 1/3rd off the original quote is the minimum ‘discount’ you should expect to achieve. Just play it cool.

As to the treatment itself, well it was amazing. I was only in the place for 45 minutes and in the theatre for less than 10. Under the machine for a maximum of about 6-7 minutes. No pain whatsoever, just very very mild discomfort (and that’s almost too strong a word for it) for a few seconds when the flap is cut. It really was beyond a doddle. A comforting number of staff in the theatre, lots of soft cooing words of encouragement from Mr Antico, who I cant fault, and a reassuringly large and space age looking machine.

As for the after effects, I suffered no pain, no itchiness and no dryness at all. Slept well the first night and by my check up the following day I was already 20/20 in the left eye and driving legal in the right eye. I have been very lucky in that respect. I know others do suffer an evening of soreness and discomfort but they have told me by morning it was all over.

Really, it’s so easy, if you think your prescription is stable, dont wait, just get it done, so much safer overall than contacts.

Good luck everyone.

I thoroughly researched the types of laser treatment available before considering surgery. Following my initial consultation I also looked into the experience of my surgeon which I recommend everyone considering eye surgery does.
I am very pleased with the surgery, I was extremely nervous but the knowledge of general staff put me at ease as well as the detailed discussion with the surgeon beforehand. The laser was applied for 29 seconds in one eye and 34 seconds for the other the total time in the theatre is about 15 minutes whilst they take measurements to track your eye (in case you move) and create the flap, after the laser they smooth the flap and put anti inflammatory and anti biotic drops in.

The anaesthetic wears off after about 30 mins from when it was put in. When it does wear off it feels like you have been peeling very keen onions and I kept my eyes closed and listened to audiobooks for the rest of the day!

There is always a chance of complications but if you are considering surgery discuss these with your surgeon. You can still change your mind at any point right up until you have the surgery!!

I had quite a high prescription beforehand and my measured vision is actually better than before with my glasses, so I am super pleased with the results.

I have a small amount of bruising in my Left eye which is from the clamp, but that is the only thing that is not perfect!!

Big massive thank you to shaftsbusy and team Aks (manager) thank you so much for reassuring me making me feel comfortable. Supporting me. Showing me guidance. You and your team have been amazing. I was sceptical and scared worried you made me feel positive and put my worries to ease. BIG massive thank you Akshay.

I had LASIK eye surgery with Dr Manek Patel at the Shaftesbury Avenue Optical Express a month ago and am extremely happy with the result. I only wish that I had had it done sooner. Dr Patel is a very experienced surgeon and he and the other medical staff were very professional which put me at ease straight away. The surgery was unbelievably quick and painless and the recovery also very quick. I had a bit of discomfort (itchy sore eyes) a few hours after the surgery but that had gone by the next day, and the day after that I was back at work. I now have better than 20/20 vision. The surgery wasn’t cheap as I was very short-sighted in my left eye, but I would definitely recommend it and definitely recommend Dr Patel.