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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
Surgery @ Harley Street Clinic on 25/1/07
Prescription -2.25 in both eyes
Surgeon – Michael Jeffrey
Update from my last post….. I had my sugery 3 days ago (wavefront Lasik), I now have 20/20 vision and no problems!!
It all went really well, I found out at the consultation that I was a very good candidate and booked my appointment. The clinic was very nice as were the staff and I was in and out within 2 hours. The treatment only lasted about 5 minutes and it wasn't painful, just felt like my eyeballs were being scooped out then pushed into the back of my head!! but as nasty as that sounds it was a 10 second feeling and when he was finished I wondered why I had worked myself up so much! (had a little cry after!!, Mum said it was just shock and nerves!!) then we went home and I slept for 3 hours and woke up feeling fine with good vision if a bit blurred :-)
I would recommend that if you are thinking of having this done, go to the FREE consultation and see what they say after all the tests, then make your mind up.
Money well spent!!!! (feels like it should of cost £10,000 to be able to wake up in the morning and SEE!!!!!!!!!!
Optical Express @ Bluewater.
Surgery date 13th December 2006
Right +5 Left +4
After wearing contact lenses all my life and not being able to see at all without them decided on laser surgery.
As with some other comments made it does feel like a conveyor belt even when you go for the surgery and especially when you have the free consultation – you mix with the people having their teeth whitened – not very comforting!
The consultation involves quote a few tests including various drops being put in (you are pre-warned by them). Perhaps it was my prescrption but I was virtually blind afterward – a driver is a must (it wears off after a few hours).
On the day of the procedure was very nervous like every one else and again you was moved along the conveyor.
The procedure for me (Lasik with wavefront) was pretty painless but never the less nerve wracking.
If you can afford it and have the bottle have the intralase procedure to create the flap rather than the mechanical method as I wasn't too happy about a blade slicing the top of your eye although you can't feel anything.
I've now been back three times (as you need to – 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months etc) and after the 1 month check up I said my right eye wasn't very good. They examined me and told me to come back in 1 month (again) and hopefully it would have improved. They confirmed it was still +.50 which all said and done is a lot better than what it was!?
Got a feeling though that when I go back will be told I've got to have further work done – will pay for ulralase!!
The left eye is very good.
Who's ever fallen asleep with their lenses in (all night or for a few hours)? That's what the “dry eye” feels like and you get drops to counter it. I have it after a month and am assured it will improve.
But all in all it's so worth it although for the first time I can see my wife first ting in the morning and I.m starting to wish i hadn't had it done.
Andy
Having gone through all the usual worries associated with laser eye surgery,should I,will it work out OK,will I have worse vision than before,I've only got one pair of eyes. I finally went ahead and had all the checks/tests and was told I was suitable for Lasik Wavefront. I had my consultation at Stockton and my surgery at Newcastle on the 16th of January, the Surgeon was Mr Lorrimer Esselaar and the results are better than I ever imagined. Less than 24 Hrs on from surgery I can read the bottom line of the Opticians chart with both eyes. My near vision for reading etc has worsened but at 46 years old I was told and was prepared for that, so if things don't settle down it's a pair of £1.99 of the peg readers for me. I had the gritiness and heavy eyelids feeling but this has eased to almost negligible overnight. The goggles I have to wear in bed for the next week take a bit of getting used to though (is this a wind up?) The Surgery itself is quite painless but there were a couple of times when I had what I can only describe as little feelings/sensations nothing more than that. I didn't even notice the “Burning Smell” other people have had when the laser was being used. The worst part for me was my eyes watered like mad but that's not unusual for me thats why I couldn't get away with Contact Lenses. I can only wish you if you are thinking of having it done the same outcome as myself. The only slight negative is I still think its too expensive, my bill was just short of £2000, but saying that it's been money well spent. Thank you to Mr Lorrimer Esselaar and all his team.
1 more thing,be prepared to be sat around for a couple of hours,it's worth the wait “FANTASTIC”
Consultation @ Optical Express Watford on Fri 19th Jan 07
Presciption -2.25 in both eyes
For anyone considering whose hands to put their eyes in……
I have been looking at all the info on this site in the search for the right company (very useful) Having previously booked a consultation at Optimax at Finchley Rd on reccommendation from a friend, I did some research into the clinic….
If you go on the Healthcare Commission website you can read all the latest reports about every clinic. Optimax at Finchley Road last report had some worrying standards not met, and standards almost met on some very important issues, and I wasn't impressed with having to give a £30 deposit, so I looked at Optical Express's website after seeing their advert a lot on the telly.
Very impressive site, lots of info, and they were very helpful on the phone, the lady I spoke to said that I could have a free consultation at Watford, and that I should keep my appointment with Optimax, then make up my mind. I had booked to have my surgery on the same day with Optimax (which aparently is not such a good idea, because the drops they put in your eyes for all the tests make the pupils big, and you should leave 48hrs before surgery to elliminate complications)
So after looking at the Optical Express Harley Street Clinics report on the Healthcare Commission with STANDARD MET FOR EVERY POINT!! I cancelled my appointment with Optimax! I just hope that I am suitable for the surgery that I want (Wavefront Lasik with Intralase) and can go ahead with the Harley Street Clinic….
Watch this space!
Had my surgery on 12th Jan felt bit crappy afterwards but this cleared after 2/3 hours could see really well by that night. Had post op on 13th and found that I had better than 20/20 vision no discomfort, and you would not be able to tell that any treatment had been carried out. Christopher Gascoigne optometrist and Rodney Blumfield surgeon along with Sarah King of the Oxford branch were absolutely FANTASTIC as were all the staff present. Please contact me if you require any further information.