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
Ian bennett
After my first consultation with Demiti where he explained all my options and the best outcome for me, we talked about my expectation and what to expect in the weeks to come, I left full of confidence and returned the following week, getting to London three days running was a bit of a bind but my Granddaughter loved the shopping experience.
Three weeks on and all is well, my vision gets better each day and has exceeded my expectation. The team in London were very professional and looked after me well.
Thank you All
Debbie Fawcett
Had LASIK done at the Birmingham Optical Express clinic on March 1st. I was nervous before the treatment, especially as the patient before me had just had some sort of fi in the waitng room and the nurses seemed a little at a loss as to what to do. However things went really well and by 8pm that evening I was happily watching TV. I've had no problems at all and no discomfort. I have just had my 1 month check and have more than 20/20 vision. My only advice would be to take a book to read as there is a lot of waiting around both at the various consultations and on the day of the procedure.
Angela Franklin
i had LASIK surgery at the Manchester clinic on 23/3/05, i got very nervous just before i went in but the staff were excellent and re-assured me that there was nothing to it - and they were right. during the procedure i felt no pain, the staff were great talking me through each stage of the procedure. i went home in the car (with my fiancee), eyes closed and sunglasses on and slept. 4 hours later i woke up and could read the DVD clock on the other side of the room which until now had always been a big blur, i had slightly dry eyes but this is expected because of the protective lenses you have in but it was not unberable. i went back next day for my check up and everything was great and they removed the lenses, i just keep reading things out loud now that i wouldnt have been able to read this time last month. i went back for my 1st week check up on 2/4/05 and my eye sight has gone from -2.5 in both eyes to 6/5+ in both eyes which i am really really thrilled with. i would highly recommend optical express to anyone, they are great - hope you liked your chocolates i left at weekend - and if i had to have the surgery again - YES i would do it..... thank you for a new lease of life & i look forward to being able to splash about in the swimming pool when i go away this year - THANK YOU
Lynn Tatum
I had lasik correction treatment at Optical Express London (shaftesbury Avenue) on 1st August last year. I had been considering this for a long time but was too afraid due to the never ending complications that can arise. I didnt know of anybody that had the courage to attempt it, so I was the guinea pig as it were. I found the whole treatment completely painless, the only discomfort I had was the sensitivity to light for a few hours afterwards. I would highly recommend this, its great to wake in the morning & being able to see. As I am an older person it did take a week to settle down but I was still able to drive within 48hrs. The after care treatment I received from Optical express was excellant, (and they open on Sundays), I only needed to attend for 6 months unless of course I had problems which of course I havent. Please dont hestitate, I really wish I had it done sooner. Good Luck!
Danelle Moffat
I had LASEK in Glasgow on 22nd March ... no pain at all during procedure ... slept for a few hours and woke up feeling no pain at all slight gritty feeling in the morning but nothing to complain about. At four day check near 20/20 vision in both eyes. Back today from 1 week check and 20/20 vision even after spraying perfume in eye on Friday morning (Ouch) !! Still a few weeks of the drops to go but it has become second nature inserting them. Has changed my life wish I had it done years ago. Thanks to all at the Glasgow Clinic hope you liked the chocolates I left last Saturday for you.
Kevin Deegan
I had Lasik surgery yesterday at the Glasgow Clinic. Firstly, thanks to all the staff, very helpful and reassuring throughout. My prescription was fairly low at -1.75 and after my check up today I am told i am now 6/6 and 6/5 - better than 20/20 apparently. Surgery is quick and painless and nothing like I expected. The journey home after was not good with streaming eyes and gritiness but after few hours sleep felt much better and could see instant improvement in my vision. I would recommend to anyone...
Ian Cooper
After an awful experience with another Company - I found AccuVision very honest, open & efficient about every issue of the treatment from the start. From the 1st telephone enquiry to the actual procedure (2 days later) all the staff that I came in to contact with were always very polite and helpful. Would recommend them to anyone.
lynn gatens
I've just had Lasik surgery within the last 24 hours at Optical Express in Glasgow I would recommend to anyone. I just wish I had've done it years ago. I have been told I am at the legal limit for driving already. Brilliant, a new lease of life!
Margaret Mc Glynn
Had surgery in Glasgow clinic. Found the staff very reassuring and friendly. Surgeon was extremely professional and helpful. All aftercare drops were explained carefully to myself and my fiance. A lot of worry beforehand and no need for it at all. I'm delighted with the results and surgery was just yesterday!!
Lisa Mansell
Had laser surgery at Milton Keynes Eye Clinic in December 2004 - absolutely amazing! In surgery for only 20 minutes, back home in 2 hours - 20/20 vision the next day! My eyesight was really bad - -9 in my right eye and -7 in my left eye...3 months later and my right eye is 20/20 and my left is even better! Never had any problems, no pain during or after surgery, and only very mild discomfort for about an hour after surgery. Don't wait any longer - go for it, and you will never regret it. Also, huge thanks to everyone at the MK clinic - they are all so friendly and competent - what a fantastic experience!
david kelleher
very helpful and friendly staff very professional and reasonably priced i have recommended u 2 friends sincerely David
