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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

04 Dec 2018

I went for a consultation at the Optical express in Westfield London, just to see if I was eligible. The consultation was good, nice and easy, it took some time but they managed that expectation from when I booked my appointment.

Everything after that moved quickly. There is definitely a ‘sales’ atmosphere, with the lady from the branch calling me almost daily – so you have to be firm if you want time to think about it, but it wasn’t an issue for me personally.

After negotiating the price, I went ahead and was keen to book with Mehul Damani, he seemed reputable with lots of experience. I’m glad I did, the surgery itself was over in minutes and was completely painless (I got it done at the Shaftsbury Avenue branch). The staff were excellent, the most annoying bit was waiting to go in for the surgery itself as it took some time, aside from that it was fine. I’d recommend both the Clinic and surgeon, a month later I’ve got 20:20 vision with it improving – so expecting to have better than 20:20 within the next couple of months. Good aftercare and no hesitation to give more dry eye drops when asked for.

20 Nov 2018

I am tremendously grateful to Dr Jan Venter and the team at Optical Express. Kind, patient and most importantly a perfectionist who gave me eye sight better than I was born with. Bless you alll. What you have done for me is beyond words thank you so very much.

Dankie vir die geskenk.

10 Aug 2018

I’ve been a glasses wearer for over 30 years due to a Astigmatisms, on numerous occasion my opticians suggested Laser surgery would not work for me.

However I decided to look into the procedure myself, I visited Optical Express in Preston in late May 2018, the advice was really clear and concise and I decided to go ahead.

The procedure was done at St Johns Street in Manchester on the 12th of June and I have to say the staff and the surgeon made the whole process easy to understand and 60 minutes later I was heading out of the Optical Express with 20/20 vision. A week later now that the misty vision has subsided and I can see perfectly, better than I was expecting.

I would recommend this to anybody who is suitable and considering the surgery as an alternative to wearing glasses.

Darren Turner

05 Jun 2018

My surgery got canceled with less than 48 notice leaving me having to lose my holidays and take more the following week which I don’t get paid for . I was told by optical express they would give me £600 in losses and it would be refunded in 3 to 5 days which I have confirmed in an email. I had to start chasing the money after 10 days when my bank was overdrawn then they told me it would be another 28 days till the refunded me. After ignoring all my emails and making 5 calls they have agreed to put my money back I’ll just have to swallow the overdraft charges. I would deal with these people again terrible customer service.

03 Oct 2017

I had my treatment in 2013. The service and outcome was fantastic. However in April 2017 I developed posterior capsular opacity ( a known problem that generally occurs within the first year!!!! ) I was told that this was easily solved with laser treatment, and advised to ask for an NHS referral from my GP. I did this and was given an appointment for July. As I was finding the problem debilitating I asked for a private referral through Optical Express at a cost of approx £500. I was advised that I would be contacted by their head office with an appointment date. This never happened. Despite contacting my local branch an customer services, and being reassured that I would be contacted, I am still waiting that appointment contact. I have since been successfully treated by the NHS. Optical Express were fantastic in arranging my initial surgery, and prompt at taking my money. I was followed up for a year, but once that year has passed, they don’t want to know. I have been left very dissallusion do with their after care.

28 Jul 2017

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

21 Jun 2017

I want to write a review whilst it’s all fresh in my head as I received laser eye surgery on 17th June 2017.

Just over 2 weeks ago I thought about getting laser eye treatment. I filled a form online and within minutes I was getting called from a lasik company. They referred me to Optical Express who were the closest to provide in my area.

I was booked in for a pre-consultation and it’s a very hard sale. They almost force you into deciding there and then so that you can receive a £500 discount. (Here’s where many others have written bad reviews as if you change your mind apparently it’s hard to get that money back.)

I had some issues at this point as I have unusual working hours and you need to speak directly with the surgeon prior to treatment and my slot was missed (not by me) and the lady who was dealing with me didn’t seem to be getting the job done so that I could get my surgeon telephone appointment. She also confused me over where I was having post operative consultations. I spend forever on the phone to an 0800 number trying to get it all sorted, which was a royal pain in the bum, and ended up calling a number that had called me which turned out to be the Meadowhall branch. Vicki from Meadowhall was fantastic and got everything organised there and then for me.

For whatever reason I live in York but had to get the laser eye surgery in Leeds and then had to go to Newcastle the following day for the post op, which was a bit frustrating, but I have wonderful family who were happy to take me to and from appointments.

When you read all the information about the surgery and all the possible outcomes it is VERY daunting, and you literally feel as though you’re signing your life away. However the team at Leeds were both calm and had lovely humour so really put me at ease before ‘going under the knife’. The surgery itself took about 10mins and completely painless. (I’m a wuss and it was absolutely fine!). Once it was done my vision was blurred but I could see!

I’d say the worst bit is about an hour after surgery where you literally can’t open your eyes as they’re just streaming (imaging chopping super strong onions for 4hours… that’s what it’s like). My mum had to guide me around the house just because I physically couldn’t open my eyes. I took some paracetamol and went to sleep for 2 hours. When I woke they were still watery but I could open my eyes! After another couple of hours I was doing some sewing!

Basically now (on day 3) my eyes can see wonderfully. They’re very dry, but I had dry eyes anyway so I’m used to this feeling and the eye drops certainly help.

I would absolutely recommend the Lasik treatment, and I figured 10years worth of contact lenses amounted to the same as the laser eye surgery, so whilst it seems expensive, if I don’t need to buy lenses again I’ll be saving in the long run.

Obviously there are people who have had undesired results (and I’d say they’re the one’s who tend to write the reviews) but the surgeon will tell you what percentage chance there is of things going wrong. Of course it’s not guaranteed and I was lucky as everything went according to plan (at least so far). So if you’re thinking about it but are hesitant, and perhaps the reviews you’ve read are negative, from my experience I’d say go for it. 🙂

14 Jun 2017

FROM CONSULTATION TO END OF TREATMENT THE STAFF WERE BOTH INFORMATIVE,HELPFUL AND FRIENDLY.ALTHOUGH IT IS ONLY DAY 1 POST OP.I AM VERY SATISFIED WITH THE RESULT OF THE OPERATION AND AM CONFIDENT THAT THE END RESULT WILL BE MOST SATISFACTORY.I WOULD HAVE NO HESITATION IN RECOMMENDING THE PROCEDURE TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

06 Jun 2017

After being turned away from Optimax for having dry eyes (which I dont) I was worried that this might be the case and was very clear about my skin and was informed after checks this wasn’t an issue. The procedure may have been more expensive as my prescription was -6.5 however the results were clear even that night.

There were problems with the laser, however the team taking care of us were quick to transfer us to Glasgow (we were originally in Dundee). Train fair was covered and I have received the promised cheque covering the amount for a ticket for my flatmate. Having built it up and become more nervous with the travelling I had to do everyone was very reassuring and the procedure itself was very quick and although not without discomfort, completely painless.

I followed what was suggested to the letter, although probably as a result of adrenaline and possibly the drugs I was very full of energy after the procedure. I was told at my follow up appointment my eyesight was improving better than expected. It is now 10 days post op and I find myself trying to take my glasses off a few times a day. As someone who was completely reliant on glasses this is such a life changing thing, and being only 21 I hope to enjoy this new sight to the fullest.

Thank you to my surgeon David Teenan and June from Optical Express in Dundee.

05 May 2017

I can highly recommend Optical Express for Lens replacement surgery. 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.


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