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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

10 Dec 2015

after having my consultation which i found to be brilliant help in making my mind up about going for surgery,i didnt hesitate to book in for it.understandably i felt nervous about the actual day of my procedure,but the professional and friendly staff helped to ease my nerves,especially the manager sarah and the “hand holder/laser counsellor” fiona but also each member of staff too,they were all so nice and welcoming that i felt the customer service alone was worth the money!!during the surgery i was talked through exactly what was happening,and its true what they say,its not painful just uncomfortable,but if its discomfort in exchange for perfect vision then i can deal with that.susanna boytha my surgeon was so brilliant too.not only to look at 😉 but professionally also.so anyone considering to get the procedure then dont hesitate just GO FOR IT!!! well worth it! no more glasses for me then!!!!

10 Dec 2015

Its been three months now, summer is quickly approaching! I have finally been able to treat myself to the designer sunglasses i have been wanting for years! Thanks to the staff in the York store, three months on i am a changed man. I am going on holiday soon and my holidays will for the first time be specs and lenses free.

Once again Thank you Optical Express!

10 Dec 2015

was very nervous but staff were great, op wasnt painful just a little uncomfortable for few mins. would do it again best thing i have spent money on.

10 Dec 2015

I was really apprehensive about having laser treatment, don’tknow why! It’s the best thing I’ve EVER done!!! People don’t believe that it only took about 3 minutes abd that was both my eyes corrected, totally painless. Staff all really friendly in both Stirling and Glasgow! I would recommend to everyone!

Thanks to ALL at Optical Express.

10 Dec 2015

I had my consultation in Inverness but I had to travel to Glasgow for the treatment as I wanted to have the Intralase and Inverness didn’t have the machine at the time. My daughter was treated first and this prompted me to follow a few months later! Its wonderful to be able to go swimming and to actually recognise people in the pool! I can wake up in the morning and see clearly which I wouldn’t have been able to do before the procedure.

10 Dec 2015

The best thing that I have ever done and money well spent. I wish I had done this earlier as it was pain-free and really easy.

I would recommend the Inverness branch as their treatment and aftercare is excellent.

10 Dec 2015

This is the best money I have ever spent!
I could see 20/20 the very next morning!
The operation itself was quick and painless.
Everyone should have this done!

Special thanks to Sanjay Mantry my surgeon in Glasgow, Jennifer my Optom in Stirling, Claire my counsellor and the whole team in Stirling for great service and fantastic aftercare!

10 Dec 2015

I went to Sheffield Optical Express in January this year. They told me that I am an ‘ideal candidate’ for wavefront lasik and that there would be no complications etc etc. Not content at the quality of their answers I have been to Moorfields today.

They said that under no circumstances would they entertain laser surgery for me because it would likely leave me with poor vision and severe problems with halos etc. Why ? I am long sighted outside of recommended and experiential guidelines. I had suspected this from reading information downloaded from the VISX laser manufacturer’s website which , while based on 2004 results is quite clear that people with long sight over +3D should not be lasered.

The ‘expreience’ today of consultation and comparison & contrast between the 2 clinics was unbelievable. Moorfields – you saw the consultant, more tests and quite frankly I had confidence that they were not only prepared to take the time, listen & treat you as a human being rather than a number on a production line.

At OE I questioned repeatedly ‘what about the percentage of patients who have problems?’ to be repeatedly told that there would be no problems. How relieved I am today because I fear that I would have been one of that small percentage who were disappointed .

Laser is not for me, but for many it is – great- good luck – but please choose your clinic, surgeon carefully and do your research.

10 Dec 2015

Very happy with my laser treatment. Nothing to worry about,no pain and i would recommend it to anybody. The aftercare is also very good. I just wish i had donw it years ago.
CONSULTATION– Manchester EC
SURGERY —Maxi

10 Dec 2015

Best money i`ve spent in a long time. Wish i`d have done it years ago. If you`re thinking about laser treatment just do it, you`ll have no regrets.
CONSULTATION Manchester EC
SURGERY– MAXI


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