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
Alx
Hi everyone I am due to have laser surgery 17th July in Glasgow with Sanjay Mantry. Has anyone heard of him? I confess that I am quite stressed about the all surgery thing! Thanks in advance for any tips!
Sherree
Hi, I have booked to have Lasex Standard at Bluewater on 9th August. Has anyone had this procedure done? If so does anyone know how the top layer is taken off? I know an alcohol solution is placed on the eye, but then what before the laser bit? I am so scared, I don't want something sharp coming towards my eye. If anyone can help, that would be great. Sherree
Alison Haley
My 20 year old daughter has just booked lasik with wavefront and intralase to be carried out at the Leeds Optical Express on 17th August. Having read lots of comments I am encouraged but worried that she has a consultation at Ultralse in Leeds the day before Optical Express and they said she wasn't suitable yet as her prescription was not stable enough. Can anyone re-assure me that she will be ok having it done at such a young age? Any comments from other youngsters who've had the procedure would be most welcome. She is -3 in both eyes by the way.
Leanne Miller
I am booked in for lasik with intralase at Bluewater on thursday,'m very very nervous about the after effects, i've worn glasses since I was 5 and can't imagine what it would be like to be able to see!! any tips or advice??
Helena
Hi, I had surgery last Saturday and everything went well. I could see crystal clear just two hours after treatment. However, I'm now on my 5th day and I'm a bit worried as my vision is quite unfocused and slightly double. Although this is probably a normal part of the healing process I do tend to worry. Has any one experience this? Will it improve? Thanks
Audrey
Booked Monday 13th August 2pm Glasgow Renfield St for Lasik wavefront with intralase. My surgeon is Stefan Klopper but dont seem to see any info about him on here. Anyone been treated by him?
Steve Leonard
On spec, I made an appointment with Optical Express Shaftesbury Ave to see if I could get eye surgery done. On the day, I phoned to say I was running a little late. I was told they had no record of my appointment. After making another appointment later that day, I was tested, and yes I could have it done but it would have to be Wavefront Lasik with femtosecond for £3200. At the time I said ok and filled in the credit forms. Top tip for you optical express - don't have your salespeople (as you don't do the intial tests with surgeons) gloat about having booked such an expensive op in front of the customer! 3 of them were loudly boasting about it as one of them was quite knew to the job (shown by his making of mistakes with the equipment). Is this the sort of place to trust your vision? I phoned the next day to cancel and once they stopped hanging up the phone when they tried to transfer me, and managed how to spell that rare name "Stephen" told me it was cancelled. They did try to lie and say they were the cheapest - they are not: I went to Optimax and had I had the same procedure would haved saved hundreds anyway. The surgeon at Optimax said there was no need for wavefront too, saving more money. Total at Optimax: £2090. OPtical Express are just a bunch of car salespeople - don't trust them
Jo
Hi, I am just looking for some advice. I am really quite scared about getting this procedure done, especially the creation of the flap. I have heard from a few people that the drops they put in your eye mean you can barely see anything, but others have said this is not true. I am looking for feedback on this from people's experience. Thanks :)
Liz Webb
I had lasik wavefront surgery at Bristol on 23rd July. I am 60 years old, had -6 and -8 prescription, have worn glasses for 50 years and have very dry eyes. I also had astigmatism in one eye. I am now still struggling with distance vision. I have reasonable nearsight, which is a GREAT improvement to what I could see without glasses before, but all past a few feet away is blurred, slightly out of focus and a bit like double vision. I have been assured that the surgery was a success, I am no longer short-sighted and it is the above factors, mainly the dryness, which is causing the slowness of recovery of the distance vision. However, it does not stop me feeling quite panicky about whether, when and if I will be able to achieve the marvellous 20/20 sight all you others talk about!! Has anyone had similar experience and can reassure me that it worked out in the end? I have had plugs fitted in my eyes to combat the dryness but I don't think that there has been any/much difference now, a month after surgery. I use gel drops 4-5 times a day, am driving (just legally) but could not drive in unfamiliar places and am desperate to pull back the curtains one morning and be able to see clearly the bushes at the end of the garden! Look forward to hearing some positive news from someone who may have experienced similar! All those of us who have very short sight remember how you can't hear or feel confident with yourself when vision is not clear - that is how I still feel and I am longing for progress.
Jo
Hi I am just looking for advice here really. I am booked in for wavefront with intralase in 3 weeks time, but I have been told I am on the borderline as to whether I can get it done or not so my surgeon has left the decision with me. She said my eyes measure 48.25 on some scale or other, where the recommended limit of treatment is 48. She said although this is a very small bit over, she still must warn me that it may not go as well as I'd hoped. She said getting treatment cannot make my eyes worse, but I could get dry eyes, longer healing periods and may need a second treatment. I am just wondering if anyone has been told this too? If so, what did you do? Did you have the surgery? If you did what happened? Thanks, I am really worried about making this decision!
