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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
1,553 reviews written between 2002 and 2021. Sorted by newest first.
Treatments are as each reviewer wrote them. Reviews that don't mention laser or lens surgery only show under All treatments.
No reviews match these filters.
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Had my surgery 6 weeks ago. Can I see better post-surgery without glasses then I could pre-surgery without glasses? Without doubt, but that wouldn't have been difficult as I couldn't see much past an arms length away without my glasses. Can I see as clearly post-surgery without my glasses as I could pre-surgery with my glass? Unfortunately NO (and surely this is the whole point or having the surgery?). My sight is no where near as clear as it was with my glasses. The staff keep telling me at each check up that fluctuations can occur up to 12 weeks post-surgery but my sight is not getting any better. At my 6 week check yesterday I asked at what point somebody actually admits to me that it hasn't worked and I was told if nothing changes by 10-12 weeks, I will be referred back to the surgical team! At the moment, I could not honestly say that I would recommend it to anyone else and I wish that I had never had the surgery – so far it has been a complete waste of money.
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3 and half years after surgery and its still fantastic!! Went for my first full eye test since i was discharged by the Glasgow clinic and I can read the bottom line of the chart! not bad for someone who couldn't do anything without my -7.00 contact lenses!
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I had Wavefront-Lasik eye surgery and have been very pleased with the results. Great distance vision and night vision too. No starburst around headlamps anymore. Mr Wayne Crew-Brown was my surgeon and the team at Bluewater have all been great. Friendly, helpful and everything explained in simple English. The aftercare treatment has also been very good. I have, and will continue to reccomend the treatment to friends and family and anyone else who I get into conversation with about the subject. I cant thank the team at Optical Express, Bluewater enough. They have given me freedom from face furniture and contact lenses alike.
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To put things in context, I am a complete coward when it comes to physical pain – I faint with blood tests and injections. So when I say that Wavefront Lasik with Intralase does not hurt, I mean it. I wouldn't have been brave enough to have the traditional flap cutting method (blade)so having the flaps cut with the Intralase laser was my only option – and well worth the £300 per eye. I also wanted the “Stella Artois” reassuringly expensive option, so although the Optical Express advert says from £395 per eye I opted for the latest technology and had Wavefront. The team at Optical Express were fantastic – Mr Giledi was my surgeon and he explained every step of the surgery and was very kind and patient to a nervous wreck. There is a point – when the ocular speculum is inserted – where it feels as though your eyeball is being pushed to the back of your skull, but the feeling lasts for seconds and really is just uncomfortable, not painful. The whole thing was over and done with very quickly and when I sat up, even with blurred vision, I could still see better than I had been able to without spectacles. My eyes did sting afterwards (as expected), and this feels exactly the same as when you've chopped onions. At the same time my eyes were light sensitive. These feelings lasted for about 45 minutes and I had no further discomfort. When I got home I put in the first lot of eye drops and went to sleep for a couple of hours. I then put in the next lot and slept for a further hour and when I woke up it was amazing – I could see the clock across the room, and the leaves on the trees across the road, and the licence plates on cars in the street below. Today, fewer than 24 hours after the surgery, I have one line better than 20/20 vision. It is incredible. I won't say that I wish I had done it years ago because I am delighted that I had the option of wavefront lasik and Intralase which has only recently become available, but I will say to anyone who is wondering whether or not to have it done that it is truly life changing. Do research the risks (I had looked into every known complication), but remember that at Optical Express the surgeons are leaders in their fields, so you are not putting your eyes into the hands people who have done a quick training course. This is a seriously good outfit!
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I had my Lasik Wavefront surgery just over 6 weeks ago, and my results thus far have been superb. The consultation with Declan convinced me that the surgery was the right thing to do, and he told me all about his own experiences of his surgery. I wanted the best treatment i could get, and was informed that Customvue was the best.
As most people were, i was very nervous waiting to get it done, but after meeting the surgeon, Mr Klopper, he put me at ease. The surgery was mild in terms of discomfort, a few hours afterwards it felt like i never wore glasses before!
Any questions i had pre surgery were competently answered by everyone i spoke to in the Clinic. I would thoroughly recommend Optical Express Belfast to anyone thinking of the surgery. I'd like to give everyone who helped me a personal mention- Declan & Eimear(Counsellors), Iris(manager), Lisa, Abraham, Gail(SUrgery Team), Mr Klopper(Surgeon), Selena, Keith. Sorry if i left anyone out!