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Optical Express

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1806 Reviews

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 tota ...Read more

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.

  1. Optical Express Laser Eye Surgery Review
  2. Prices
  3. Treatments
  4. The Verdict
  5. Surgeon Reviews
  6. 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 OverallClinic RatingCost RatingSurgeon RatingTreatments 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

optical express laser eye surgery prices

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 ProcedurePrice (per eye)Finance Options (per month)
LASEKFrom £595£49.50
(10 months on 0% APR, £100 deposit)
LASIKFrom £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 surgeryFrom £1,995£48.89
(for 36 months on 11.5% APR, £500 deposit)
Multifocal lens surgeryFrom £3,195£47.39
(for 72 months on 11.5% APR, £500 deposit)
Phakic IOLFrom £3,395£47.39
(for 72 months on 11.5% APR, £500 deposit)
YAGFrom £595N/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

laser eye surgery review 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:

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:

  1. Find the top clinic in seconds: Answer three questions to be matched with 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 don’t 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 (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

6. Optical Express Reviews

RatingDate

30 Jun 2006
No Rating

Has anybody had treatment at the Southampton clinic? Which surgeon did they use and what was the overall opinion? Also does anybody have any experience of 'monovision'? Because of my age I would need reading glasses and am interested in hearing how people have adapted to 'monovision'. Or did anybody find switching the need for glasses for distance to needing them for reading a 'pain'?

06 Jul 2006
No Rating

I had my surgery done at Reading Optical Express. Absolutely Brilliant!! No need for glasses anymore.I was so surprised how quick it was and how easy it was too!! All the staff were very nice and all the follow-up appointments were fine Thankyou very much Carole Ferris

06 Jul 2006
No Rating

Hi, could anyone let me know if they have had surgery in the Manchester clinic by Mr Waseem Aziz, I'm booked in for surgery on the 18th July and I can;t wait. Hope to hear from someone soon (hopefully before surgery) Thanks

11 Jul 2006
No Rating

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.

18 Jul 2006
No Rating

I had a consultation in Reading branch and was told that corrective surgery would not be possible R= +5.50 -3.00 L= +6.50 -4.00 A bit dissapointed but didn't give up. Contacted Advance Vision Eye care (you can follow a link on this sites home page) and was told that they would happily carry out the procedure and couldnt understand optical express's decision. Reading their reviews (5 out of 5!) I have decided to go with them and am booked in next week. With regards to price Op Exp said that if they couldve done the op it would have been £1400 per eye! Advance Eye care have 2 set prices so you know what youre paying and what youre getting. Im not here to slate Op Exp as they have obviously helped lots of people i am just passing on advice if you, like me recieve bad news from your consultation. P.S Staff at Reading where very friendly and didnt try any hard sell for any other product.

24 Aug 2006
No Rating

Location : Milton Keynes Surgeon: Mrs Susanna Boytha I'm scheduled to have surgery with the above at the end of Sept. Does anyone have any feedback on the Surgeon there please?... just so I can get a rounded opinion ! Thanks.

28 Aug 2006
No Rating

Suzanna did my surgery in Aberdeen a week ago, and my eyes are great! no problems here.

20 Sep 2006
No Rating

I am having wavefront lasik for my +5 / +5.5 prescription in newcstle next week (£2590) not cheap, somebody tell me I am going to have great eyesight and finally say goodbye to contacts forever. I work in a safety critical position so accurate eyesight is essential, will somebody please post their results if they have had a similar prescription as I, I would really apreciate it. Many thanks.

05 Oct 2006
No Rating

A little nervous before the operation but was confident of a successful result after reading many testimonials. After a lot of waiting i was finally called in. The only pain was the slight pressure applied to the eyeball, 10 mins later and it was all done. The surgeon told me everything had gone well. Had a check up the next day and had better than 20/20 vision. Its now 4 weeks on and i still have the same vision. Absolutely no regrets about having it done!

29 Sep 2006
No Rating

Had op a week ago, absolutely no problems, home within four hours, was able to see really well. The only problem has been dry eyes at night- this was solved by purchasing some liquid tears from the pharmacist. Cant believe i didnt do this sooner, its fantastic-Bournemouth


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