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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

06 Jan 2002

Follow up from previous post:
In the end I changed my flight to 2 days earlier (I live in Spain), to allow time to be examined by surgeon and any treatment done before the Christmas break. I was getting really worried about leaving the straie as I knew they needed treating as early as possible and I could tell they weren’t clearing.

This time I saw Mr Pillai who agreed that ideally they should have been treated at the 7 day check up. However, to cut a long story short, the flap was re- lifted, the folds smoothed out then and contact lens bandage put on. The clinic was closing for Christmas the next day but some of the staff very kindly opened it up on Christmas Eve and came in just for me, to remove my lens.

It wasn’t painful whilst the lens was in but was pretty sore when it was removed, but settled down after about 24 hours. It’s now 18 days since the re-lift. To be honest, I don’t think the vision in the eye has improved – the prescription in it is still –1.50 but I don’t have the sensation that there s something at the bottom of my eye. Nothing to do now but wait and see what happens over the next couple of months and then, if necessary consider an enhancement.

As a journalist for an English language newspaper in Spain, my LASIK treatment has been written up as an article, due for publication shortly. I’ve put it on the web at http://www.geocities.com/LASIKarticle

13 Feb 2002

Absolutely excellent.Don't go anywhere else this is the best in the country (and the most expensive!!!)The visx3 laser is superb. All my movements were obviously tracked perfectly.I found it impossible under the enormous stress to look in one place for 30 seconds. My left eye was -7 and I was worried it wouldn't be very good.Now its 20 20.My left eye was -5 now it is absolutetly perfect and I mean absolutely perfect.Both eyes had a degree of astigmatism. Don't think it is painless though!I was in agony for about 2 to 3 hours.Side effects - none except a slight glare around lights at night which should die down over the next few months. I have large pupils - about 7.3mm but I'm fine.I strongly recommend Keith Williams (my surgeon)and their excellent team. My special thank you is to Caroline.

15 Feb 2002

I had my surgery on 29/01/02 and opted for the mono-vision treatment as I am mid-forties and was -6.5,-6.75. This should put off the need to use glasses again for quite a considerable time. The switching from one eye to the other is a bit strange at times but the brain is gradually picking it up. After 40 years of spectacles/contacts I was not expecting an instant fix. Damn near got it though. The comments about the over-chlorinated swimming pool effect were very true for me but have gone now, occasionally I get a 'left the contacts in too long' effect, if you know what I mean. Something I didn't realise was to keep the eye drops (tears) up even if you feel they aren't needed. Something about the nerve being cut and keeping the eye moist until they regenerate? Glad I had it done and I am told things will probably get even better over the next few weeks. The surgeons very good and I experienced nothing untoward, considering what they were doing. In fact it was good being able to 'chat' to them about what was happening and what I was seeing. Being able to get up in the night and look after the children, get up for work, go into buildings from the cold, walk in the rain, etc without messing about with glasses makes it all worth while for me. And thanks to the staff in the office for your pleasant efficiency. And the mints and tea.

15 Feb 2002

I have only had my initial consultation up to now at the Southampton Branch and have booked for my LASIK surgery on the 12th March 2002 at Reading. The staff were very helpful and informatative and made it clear to me that if at anytime i did not want to continue with the treatment then all i had to do was say. The initial consultation took about 2 hours, Mrs Sagoo carried out the tests to see if i was suitable, and the tests i must say were very impressive and thorough. I was told that i was able to have the treatment if i wanted to go ahead, no pressure was made on me to book an appointment, but i really wanted to go ahead with the treatment and booked an appointment there and then. They said that they would book travel and accomodation for me, which is all the cost of the treatment. I will let you know how i get on, feel free to send me an email if you want innformation.

15 Feb 2002

I had bi-lateral LASIK at Reading on 7 February 2002. The procedure was painless and the staff were really kind and helpful. When I went back the following day I could read to the bottom of the eye chart much to my amazement. My husband and I were put up at a very good hotel. They are supposed, apparently, to refund your travelling costs but they have yet to offer! I am going back tomorrow (16.2.02) for my one week check. I have to say, I still can't believe that I can see without glasses/lenses and keep trying to take off my imaginary glasses before I get into bed!

18 Feb 2002

After a year of contemplating LASIK and speaking to various people who have had the procedure, I went for 2 consultations - Ultralase in Chester and Maxivision in Manchester. Both clinics told me I am a suitable candidate and I made the decision to go to Maxivision as I found the clinic to be more 'sophisticated' and modern than the Ultralase clinic. I booked in to have my treatment the same day as my consultation as I felt reasonably confident that they had their patients best interest at heart. However after phoning to book in for my treatment, I was asked for a £500 deposit over the phone. I did this by credit card and at the time, didn't really think it was that bad. However since then, I have received a letter informing me of the terms and conditions and confirming my appointment date, it also states that they want the remainder of the balance which is £1160 before my treatment ! It also says that if you cancel less than 7 days, you start losing your money and it could take up to 28 days to get your money back ! So I have today cancelled my appointment on the basis that I don't need this sort of additional pressure and it has certainly left a bad taste in my mouth if I was to go ahead and use Maxivision. I have discovered that Ultralase don't operate in this way and you pay on the day of treatment which is acceptable in my opinion. After pondering over which clinic to use, I will now either go to Ultralase or Boots and will give myself a little longer to decide. I just wanted to make others aware if you are contemplating using Maxivision to be prepared to pay beforehand. I am still awaiting for a member of the team to contact me to confirm my cancellation.

19 Feb 2002

After ringing all the outlets on this website, I've decided to go with Laservision. As 1. their receptionist was the most helpful, 2. Richard Branson endorses their website and 3. for my eyesight it is actually the cheapest. I've got my appointment in 3 weeks so I'll keep you posted.

05 Mar 2002

I thought I would go for a consultation with Laservision due to some of the high-profile endorsements (Branson, Goosen etc). The interview with Caroline was thorough and I learned I was a good candidate for LASIK (thick corneas, small pupils). I had done enough research of my own to know that with LASIK surgical skill is an important parameter and I was pleased to hear that Mr Williams performs all of the operations himself in this clinic. Caroline was also open regarding the track record of the clinic - Mr Williams has never had a clinical failure as such although in two cases (out of some six thousand) freak accidents some time after surgery resulted in damage to the corneal flaps.
I recently had my three month post-operative examination and have 20/15 in my right eye with the left not far behind and improving - an outstanding result and better than I dared hope. Prior to surgery both my eyes were worse than -6 Dioptres.
The only unwanted outcome was dryness which is improving daily and I feel could have been a lot worse. I was warned to expect dryness but I feel long-term contact lens wearers or anyone with dry eyes for any other reason should labour this point heavily whichever practitioner they choose.
For the LASIK procedure at least my feeling from my own experience and what I've read is that Mr Williams is about as good as it gets.

08 Mar 2002

After atteding my consutation with my alleged councilor (sales person to most of us)in Sutton I booked an appointment for 2 weeks time. A disgruntled customer was waiting to go in after me and told me to look on this site first. Thank god I did. Is anybody 100% happy with Maxivision? I only have 6 days till I can cancel without loosing money so would like to hear from people who had a good experience as there only appeards to be dissatisfied customers on this site. I have small eyes and had prepared my self for some discomfort but need assurance about good vision after surgery & no complications.

09 Mar 2002

Just had enhancement (MR PILLAI) - still too soon to judge result - will post in a few days.Can people add the name of their surgeon please? Surgeons move from clinic to clinic and it would be nice to know the ones with good reputations - and vice versa!!!


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