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
Matthew Burnell
Very impressed with the few seconds it actually took to complete the operation, unbelievable. Did experience intense stinging after the operation but this literally lasted a couple of hours and after that I had perfect 20 20 vision and no discomfort at all and over a month later I can honestly say that the recovery took 3 hours and ever since I have had 20 20 vision. I kept up with my eye drops and I have had nothing to complain about at all. It has made a massive difference and I have to say more than i expected. I just wish I had had this done years ago. My vision now is better then what it was with my glasses on. I have been recommending the operation and will continue to do so.
Ali
just to say that's me almost a year after my op, i had it last September and all i can say is i have had no problems at all and my vision is still 20/20. the after-care i have received has been excellent. I am so please i had this done
Yoko Ishikawa
I have 20/20 vision now. I'm so glad that i had a laser eye surgery in Optical express. If anyone reading this and considering about having a laser eye surgery, go for it! It'll change you life!!!
Chris Ibbotson
It's 10 weeks now since I had my eyes lasered. Initial consultation at Meadowhall, Sheffield was fine, sorted out the date for treatment which couldn't have been better. I guess by the time I had surgery (also at Meadowhall) I had read so many reviews that I felt totally relaxed about the whole thing, it's a rare review that mentions anything other than slight discomfort during treatment so I knew that wouldn't be a problem. As it turned out treatment for me was a doddle, though must agree that afterwards all you want to do is close your eyes as everything is so bright and you feel as though you've peeled kilos of onions as your eyes sting so much. After a few hours in bed that wears off and you realise that you can see without glasses. Wonderful! Day one consultation my eyes weren't 20/20 but I thought they were pretty good nonetheless. I've had extra appointments and extra drops for dry eyes but that's clearing now and my eyes have continued to improve so that I now have 20/20 vision. I really don't feel that the slight inconvenience of a few extra check-ups has been a problem. The service I have received at Meadowhall has been excellent and I would recommend them to anyone. The bonus for me was that they did my surgery on Saturday so it meant it was easy to arrange for someone to drive me. It also means that you don't need any time off work. Perfect.
garry webster
Having had the lasik eye surgery done in april. My life has changed for the better.For me it was like going from the old black and white TV to the new HD quality. To say i'm over the moon is a understatement.My eye sight is perfect and this in turn has brought more confidence to myself.To not require glasses is amazing and to be able to see things clearly and notice everything and everybody in detail.its like seeing things for the first time. Money well spent. The pre care and after-care has been fantastic. A big THANK YOU to all involved. At Meadowhall optical express there was Kelly/Linnett/Shehzad And the surgeon was Dr Khalid Khan at the clinic in Leeds
Kayleigh Hawkes
I went to Optical Express to get my surgery done as they had been highly recommended by a friend. I was quite nervous about the surgery as i did not know what to expect but all members of staff, including the surgeon were very nice, they put me at ease and explained the whole procedure in detail to me. I did have some discomfort after the surgery but i expected that, and after a couple of hours that was gone and my vision was just a bit blurred. I woke up the next morning and i could see so much better than before. I cant believe the improvement in my sight, Optical Express has changed my life and I would highly recommend Optical Express for Laser Surgery, i have now went back to purchase Designer sunglasses, because for the first time i will not need to worry about my sight on holiday. I would like to thank all staff in Optical Express Silverburn for their excellent care before and after sugery.
Paul Bond
5/5, what more can you say. I had the procedure done on Sat 2nd August. So that's just a few days ago. The procedure itself was completely pain free, ok so there was a little discomfort when clamping the eyes open and applying the device for cutting the flap. But that wasn't anything to worry about. Hazey for a few hours after the surgery and a little blurry. But compared to pre-op without glasses it was certainly a huge improvement. By the time I woke up on Sunday morning it was a whole new world. It's somewhat amazing to be able to wake up in a morning and see the clock, without having to search all over to find my specs! Currently though, not really enjoying being at work as the air con is really drying my eyes up quite quickly. Fortunately i'm loaded up with drops so they're in use on the hour every hour to give my eyes a bit of moisture back. In summary, this is money well spent and makes a huge difference to my life in general. There are many little things you people who don't wear glasses/contacts take for granted. I can now sit here and think of many things that made my life with specs irritating at times!!!! Anyone thinking of having this done, all I can say is "GO FOR IT!"
Russell Stagg
I have lasik at OE in Bluewater yesterday morning and I can't believe I'm sitting in front of my computer typing this without glasses today. The staff at Bluewater were great. They talked me through everything. I can't believe how pain free the whole thing was. I have better sight in my right eye than my left but that I'm sure will improve with time as it is very bloodshot at present. It was such a great feeling to wake up and see the bedside clock!
Rachel Johnston
I was very impressed with the Optical Express clinic in Southampton where I had the surgery as well as the clinic in Bournemouth where I have had all my pre- and post- operative appointments. I am very pleased with the result of the surgery, experiencing discomfort for no more than about 3 days following surgery.
J Browne
Staff are very friendly and answered any questions about the treatment thoroughly. The procedures are fully explained in a professional and competent manner which fully met my concerns. The post operative care is also thorough. A truly professional and caring service.
