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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
I had surgery at milton keynes in June 2007, 3 months later and i have better than 20/20 vision. This was probably the scariest thing i have ever done equalled with the best! No more specs no more contact lenses i think 2 words sum this experience up: LIFE CHANGING! The staff at Optical Express in Milton Keynes were great, although there was a very long wait on the day of surgery so make sure you take a good mag or book!. Anyone considering surgery should at least go and see if you are suitable, taking the plunge to go that far eased my concerns and convinced me it was the best thing to do. Good Luck!
i am over 40 am have worn glasse since i was 17,i hated them and always wished i could get laser treatment,then in january my mum say's she would pay most of it for me as im a single parent,wot a pressie,i had my surgery 7 months ago and it is fantastic,being in my forties they have said that i will need reading glasses in the future,but my eyes are fine just now,like everyone else the pressure pad is a bit weird feeling,but worth it,i got my eyes done at 1.50,came home and went to sleep on the couch,by 6.00pm my eyes had stopped running and i could watch tv,when i woke up on the sunday morning i looke out of my window and said wow,i could see for miles,only people who have short sightedness will truley understand this fantastic feeling of being able to see the shampoo bottle when in the shower (ha ha,i would recommend it to anyone,it is painless,a little annoying after but only for a little while,my friends have also said it has taken years off me,what a result.
I had Wavefront Lasik with intralase in Glasgow. Prescription -2.75 with astigmatism.
I was a bit nervous about the op but found the staff in both Ed/Glasgow very reassuring and patient with my many questions.
Having the clamps holding my eyes open was my biggest concern but this proved to be absolutley simple!The receptionist in the waiting area in Glasgow was very friendly and calm and Donna the nurse with me before and after the surgery was very nice and reassuring. The surgery itself was carried out very efficiently and was over before i knew it.
Afterwards i felt slightly disorientated for five ten minutes but fine after this. I had no light sensitivity so was able to walk back to our car no problem (my wife having to hold me back as I strode ahead). At this point i was seeing similar to what i could see before without glasses on albeit a bit cloudy. I ttok painkillers at this point although i was not experiencing any discomfort.
Following the drive through to Edinburgh I was starting to see a combination of things shorter and further away still with the mist (approx two hours after op).
I went to bed with eyes closed for a couple of hours although did not sleep, on getting up again I was able to read teletext etc from accros the room with just a slight fuzziness around the edges (5 hours after op).
Next morning I awoke to find my eyes were excellent and just a bit dry. Had my checkup at 10am (19 hours after op) and had fantastic vision, able to read 20/20, and the two lines below 20/20 on the eye chart.
A week and a half later and my vision remains excellent, I still have dry eyes in the morning when i wake up and occasionaly during the day – mainly in shops with air con but this i would expect for a few weeks.
I was lucky and had no discomfort at all following the surgery, no light sensitivity and no grittyness in my eyes.
I would recomend this to everyone as it has made a huge difference to me already, able to see my baby daughter 24/7 without having to fish for glasses or lenses first.(shame my golf hasn't improved as well).
Thanks to all involved between the Edinburgh George St branch and the Renfield St surgery in Glasgow.
I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS SURGERY TO ANYONE,I DRIVE A PETROL TANKER AND MY SIGHT IS VERY IMPORTANT.I HAD LASIK AND WAVEFRONT. I WAS VERY NERVOUS,BUT THE STAFF AT YORK WERE FANTASTIC.4 HOURS AFTER SURGERY,I COULD READ CAR NUMBER PLATES (AMAZING)22HOURS AFTER SURGERY, MY VISION WAS BETTER THAN 20/20. IF YOU ARE READING THIS, GO AND BOOK YOUR SURGERY NOW…MANY THANKS TO ALL CONCERNED.
Clinc – Glasgow
Surgeon – Dr David Teenan
Procedure – Lasik Wavefront
I got my op yesterday 20th sep at 10.00, the procedure itself is painless and take little time.
I was so nervous i cried before the procedure (what a baby). My nurse Fiona was fantastic and David was fantastic too. When i was on my way home 40 mins drive i had to sit with my jacket over my head, thats when you feel the pain when your eyes stop being numb, i took really good painkillers and when to my bed i had a sleep for aboiut 5 hours and when i woke up i could see.
Its 11.00 on 21 st september and im just about to go for my first check up.
All i can say is i was really short sighted -5.00 in both eyes i felt almost blind, and just to be able to read the clock on the cooker in the kitchen from the hall thats when i relised it was worth it.
Totally recommend this to anyone that is considering it.
contact me if you want to ask me anything