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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.
Our Testimonials
Fantastic , wish I had done it years ago! (RAF Halton)
Day 4 yesterday. Vision slightly better than day 3, but left much better than right. Haziness still persists. Evening/night is not great as discomfort increases [mainly dryness discomfort] and vision worsens specially with blurriness. I am still happy with the outcome as my refractive error was very high to start with, and now I don`t have to search for my specs in the morning.
Newcastle upon Tyne – October 4th 2007.
Standard Lasik.
Booked through the Metro Centre store and treatment carried out at Newcastle branch.
My first appointment was cancelled and put back a day, not to worry – I arrived for my appointment at 11.00am the following day.
I'll try and describe each part as accurately as I can.
Checked in with receptionist then had a wait of around 30 mins before a nurse took me in to have some checks of my prescription etc, all pretty straightforward.
A further wait of around 25 mins then I was called in to see the consultant, Mr. Lorimer Esselaar. He checked my eyes again and asked if I had any questions, a nice man.
My final wait was around 20 mins then another nurse called me in to the procedure room (theatre). I was asked to put on a hair mask and to lie on the bed (which I can only describe as a flat dentist chair). There were all sorts of checks going on and the nurses informed me that they were testing the laser etc.
My nerves started getting the better of me here and I felt a bit tense. Although I had done loads of research and had an idea what to expect I still felt a little uneasy.
One of the four nurses/assistants in the room applied some cleaning stuff to my eyes which was nice and cool. Then some drops were put into my eyes (anesthetic I presume).
My right eye was first to be done so a patch was placed over my left eye for the time being.
I was then placed under the laser machine and Mr. Esselaar talked through the procedure as it was happening.
First I had to concentrate on a flickering orange light in the machine above my head, then heard a buzzing noise. I was told my vision would go dark/blurred at this point and think this must have been the corneal flap being created.
I could vaguely make out a pair of tweezers or similar to peel back the flap.
I was then told a clamp would be placed over my eye and my vision would move about a bit.
This is the part that felt most uncomfortable – a sort of silicon / plastic clamp was placed onto my eyeball and then a vacuum was applied to hold the eyeball in place. I must say this is one of the most unnatural sensations you can have, I felt myself squirming a bit but composed myself as knew it wasn't long to go!
Another nurse started counting down from 17 and this was the laser firing, didn't feel anything although it was quite tricky to concentrate on the flashing orange light as it seemed to be moving about. Thankfully there was an iris tracking sensor so even if I did move my eye the laser would still be accurate. One the laser was finished a solution was squirted into my eye and the flap put back in place. I could see a small 'spatula' spreading the flap into place which was a bit surreal…
Right eye done, same procedure for the left, seemed a bit quicker (maybe because I knew what to expect!).
I was then asked to sit up (relief) and was taken through to the aftercare room where I was told the do's and don’ts and given my drops.
My partner took me home (about a 20 min. drive) through which I kept my eyes closed. At this stage the anesthetic was starting to wear off and my vision was blurred.
I got home, took some painkillers and went straight to bed. My left eye was really sore, but my right seemed okay. I managed to grab a few hours sleep through all the eyes watering and wearing the night goggles.
Woke up early evening and eyes felt ok (apart from having a headache), went back to bed around 9pm and woke up Friday morning feeling fine, right eye perfect, left eye about 5% blurred, but still visually okay.
Went for my post-op 24hr check up and told I now have better than 20/20 vision. Corneal flaps healing fine and was told that the blurring is perfectly normal; this will correct itself over the coming days/weeks.
Getting used to putting the drops in correctly and at the right time is important, I like having the 'Blink' eye drops in the fridge so they are nice and cool when they go in.
Back to work the day after and although I still have a little blurring in my left eye I am very happy with the results.
It will probably take a week or so for the fact that I'm not wearing contact lenses or glasses sink in – looking forward to the weekly check up now to see how I'm doing.
So glad I had the surgery. It is fantastic to wake up in the morning and not have to reach for your glasses. staff have been extremely helpful and the after care has been excellent. I thoroughly recommend it.
I had my surgery – intralase wavefront LASIK on Saturday [29/9]. Procedure: I was stressed prior to it, hence could not focus on the red beam for my first[right] eye. left was fine. Intralase for the flap was uneventful. I was concerned at the end of the procedure whether my right eye was treated completely.
Day 1 – went for check up. I could see clearly with both eyes open, but vision was excellent in the left eye, and blurred/hazy/not too clear in the right. At the visit I was told that I had driving vision, and both flaps were fine, incidentally the 1st day visit is to check the flaps.
Today is day 2, vision is similar to day 1. Better in the left than the right. The hazines/blurring persits.
Pain was present on surgery day and day 1, but minimal on day 2.
Will be going for my 1 week visit on Saturday. I have been assured by the clinic councellor that vision will improve with time.