Male
Female
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
Having thought about laser surgery for the last few years, but thinking that it wouldn't be affordable, I saw the Optical Express advert on-line and thought that i'd take advantage of the free consultation. I went to the Meadowhall branch where they were all absolutely fantastic. I underwent the tests with the very lovely looking Paco, he said that I was a very good candidate for the surgery, shocked me with the price & passed me on to a wonderful lady by the name of Judy Kearney. She explained everything so well, including the 'wavefront' option. The cost of the procedure was a lot more than I thought I could afford, but they offer an interest-free credit option which made things a little easier. Before I left the shop, I was so convinced that this was the right thing for me that I had paid my deposit & was booked in for 2 weeks later.
I work as a teacher and can't really take time off work, this is where Meadowhall & the Leeds clinics work so well. I had a Saturday appointment at Leeds for the treatment & a 24 hour follow-up appointment at Meadowhall on the Sunday. All was well and I was at work on Monday morning!
The staff at Leeds looked after me so well, explaining everything very clearly and reasuring me all the way. The procedure itself, is painless. After several hours of really heavy eyelids, where i just felt that they were never going to open again, they opened and it was like MAGIC – I was all better and I could see perfectly.
On the Sunday I went to see my optometrist, Naina Wadhera, who is has been wonderful. she is keeping a close eye on me & is very happy with my sight (better than 20/20!!!)
This is the best thing that I have ever done for myself, worth every single penny and at only 36, i'm going to be enjoying my great new eyesight for many, many years to come. I unresevedly recommend this to anyone who feels unsure about going ahead with it. Get yourselves a consultation appointment at Meadowhall, they are second to none! Much gratitude to all the staff at both Meadowhall & Leeds, I owe you so much. Deborah Lagdon
Following on from my recent posting……
Wow, what can I say. Absolutely fantastic from start to finish. I arrived for my appointment around a quarter of an hour early. The receptionist greeted me immediately and knew who I was without any introduction (impressive!) She looked after me straight away. I couldn't believe how many people were there waiting for the same thing as me! Abit of a production line going on I could have said however the service was very personable and one without fault. I took my OK Magazine expecting loads of waiting however there really was no time for reading!
The wavefront scan was a bit frustrating, my left eye just wouldn't play ball however the surgeon, Mr Pauw (what a lovely man) was happy with the results and to my delight told me he would be performing the Lasik procedure. I had originally been recommended for Lasek and therefore was prepared for all kinds of trouble and discomfort so to hear I was up for Lasik was music to my ears!
The op itself was a doddle. It lasted all of 10 mins max and the team who looked after me were fantastic. Abit of pressure is experienced when they actually cut the flap, and your vision goes very dull and dark but I was told this would happen and everything was explained to me at every stage, althought I do have to say, when they reclined me on the chair in the surgery,I thought I was going to fall off backwards!!! You guys who have had the surgery will know what I mean.
The aftercare was also fab and everything was explained to me in great detail. What to do with the drops/dos and don't etc etc.
I got home and went straight to bed as advised and as the anaesthetic wore off I really struggled to keep my eyes open. They were streaming and extremely sensitive (although not painful at all) so the best thing was to lie in a dark room with them shut. After the surgery you get three lots of drops to put in your eyes. Try putting them in in a dark room!!! Also you get some goggles to sleep in for one week – very sexy!
I kept waking up through the night and each time I woke my eyes felt less and less sensitive.
In the morning my one fear was that I wouldn't be able to open my eyes however they opened with no problem and I can only say I was amazed. I could actually read the alarm clock without squinting my eyes and climbing over my husband to get to it. No pain, no sensitivity, absolutely incredible.
I went for my post op check at 9 o'clock that morning. The optom told me my sight was “phenominal”, that I was at driving standard already and my vision would continue to improve for the next couple of weeks – wow, can it get any better??
If you are considering having laser eye surgery, all I can say is go for it. Optical Express have been fantastic from start to finish. The care and attention I have received from each member of staff I have dealt with has been incredible and although it is still early days I am absolutely delighted in every way.
My sincerest thanks to everyone at Optical Express for a superb service.
Had Wavefront Lasik on Saturday 4th Nov.
The surgery was painless and the worst bit was the suction ring on the eye. More uncomfortable and a weird sensation than painful. About an hour after the surgery I could hardly open my eyes and they felt quite sore, 2 painklillers and an hours sleep and I was well enough to go for a meal in the hotel. Woke up next day with dry eyes but good vision. Read 2 lines better than 20/20 the next day and have had no problems. Eyes feel tired/strained for first week, but settling down now.
All staff at Newcastle Branch were great, but felt slightly conned when expecting to pay £795 per eye for Wavefront and ended up paying more because of my prescription. But after surgery I'm very happy and glad I went for it.
Consultation: Inverness
Surgery: Inverness 15/11/06
I had a fairly high perscription so was slightly nervous before the surgery. The team at Optical Express were fantastic and very reassuring. The surgery was quick, efficient and a little weird and not too painful. Day 2 and I can see unaided which is fantastic.
All in all I recommend this to anyone!
I consulted this forum after my initial consultation and after my Intralase Wavefront surgery, which was carried out yesterday, I wanted to add some comments and observations which may be useful to anyone considering this procedure.
In all I found the customer relations a little disappointing, for the most part I really felt like part of a conveyor belt. I am very squemish as far as eyes are concerned and was incredibly nervous beforehand. Though I arrived early for my appointment, I had to wait almost two hours before the surgery, and this left me a nervous wreck. Thankfully the surgeon was very helpful, and talked me gently through each step.
The procedure in all took about 10 minutes. The first laser is used to create the flap; although this wasn't a pleasant experience, it was nowhere near as bad as I had anticipated. I was expecting big metal clamps to force my eyes open,but the clamps didnt hurt at all. The muscle relaxent drops stop you from blinking, but this didnt feel unnatural. Then slight pressure is exerted on the eye, which feels a little strange but not painful. My vision did go black for a few seconds but the surgeon had told me to expect this. After the flap was cut, I was moved to the second laser which performs the wavefront surgery. The flap is gently lifted and then the laser begins. After only a few seconds this is complete and the flap is then gently massaged back into place.
My sight was a little blurry from all the drops, so when I went home I lay down for a few hours. When I got up I was able to see perfectly(the WOW factor). I felt no discomfort or pain either during or after surgery. My check today has confirmed my 20/20, and healing already underway.
This technology is amazing, and I would recommend it to anyone. Of course everyone is different, but if I was able to do it (being of a nervous disposition) anyone can. Excellent value for money