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
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.
-
The best decision in recent years was to undergo laser treatment. I am very pleased with my new “freedom”.
Would thoroughly recommend the procedure and was very impressed with all staff at Optical Express Belfast. -
Overall I had a very good experience at my local Optical Express in Milton Keynes. I've just got home from my 3 month check up and I am very pleased with the results.
I was quite disappointed at the reception when I first went in to find out about having laser correction. I popped in on my lunch hour to make an appointment for a chat about the procedure. I hadn't even decided if I wanted to have it done but the girl who I spoke to insisted that I had to have different eyedrops when I attended the appointment which would prevent me from driving! I was very disappointed that they weren't even prepared to talk to me without gaining my consent to take part in a medical procedure. The girl wasn't really very helpful and seemed oblivious to the fact that I didn't have time to go through the ins and outs right then and there (that's what I wanted an appointment for after all). That very nearly put me off but I'm glad it didn't. I will point out that she worked in the shop floor area rather than the laser suite though.
The initial appointment was simple enough but I do feel that it should have been possible to have a half-way appointment where you can be told about the surgery before having to consent to the examination which determines if laser correction is appropriate. Everything was explained clearly and simply but I didn't feel patronised. They gave me as much information and in as much detail as I wanted.
I had to pay double the advertised starting price due to my prescription of, I think, -5.75. I also have slightly larger pupils than average so I had to be prepared to live with glare after correction, especially at night. I was told that I could go back to work the day after the procedure so I booked in for the 19th November. I guessed (although I wasn't told) that I'd be on a production line. The wait was long and boring so I recommend taking a newspaper and a sandwich. The laser suite is run very well. Everyone is pleasant and helpful. I did get butterflies of excitement when it was my turn but never felt afraid.
The treatment room seemed to be run very efficiently. Everyone in the room was friendly and really helped to calm my nerves.
The actual procedure was fascinating. I could see some things but my vision was distorted most of the time so all I could see were vague shapes, nothing alarming. The procedure was uncomfortable but not painful – a bit like wearing shoes that are 2 sizes too small. I got the impression that they went to great lengths to secure my eyeball before doing anything else. I'd heard tales of being able to smell burnt hair but I didn't smell anything. When I sat up they asked me to read the clock on the wall. I will never forget the emotion of being able read a wall clock unaided for the first time in my life. It's the little things like that which make it all worthwhile.
Immediately after the treatment I went into another room where I was given a little bag of aftercare stuff and instructions for the next few days. That took about 5 minutes and by the end of it I felt the anaesthetic
drops wearing off. By the time my partner had got me to the car about 50 feet from the clinic I just wanted to close my eyes which were streaming like I had raw onion in them.
Got home and went straight to bed. The feeling after surgery is like having sand in your eyes. Pain is a very personal thing but I would say it was unpleasant rather than painful. I just laid in my bed with the curtains closed feeling sorry for myself for next 7 hours or so. You really do need someone to be with you during this time. My goodie bag from the clinic had special goggles to stop me from touching my eyes. I had to wear these during sleep for some time to come. After those first hours I noticed a significant improvement in how I felt. The grittiness was gone and I just felt like I'd left contact lenses in for too long or been in a really smokey room. I was able to open my eyes and get about the house on my own.
I had 3 different types of eye drops to take at different times (antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and saline). These did help but it's worth having a box of paracetamol handy too.
I happened to have a day off work the next day but there was no way I could have returned to work at that point. My eyes were still running and I felt generally glum. Good job I didn't go back to work the next day because I had to attend a follow-up appointment. I was very much cheered up with the news that my vision was already better than 20-20. I did go back to work the day after the follow up and although my eyes felt dry I coped fine.
From a cosmetic point of view my eyes were still a little bloodshot and there was a bruise in the white of one eyeball. That wasn't really visible unless I looked in a certain direction. Unless you're particularly concerned about appearance it's nothing to be afraid of.
(If you decide to have the procedure I thoroughly recommend the following. When you return to work, stagger in wearing dark glasses and explain there were a few side effects. Remove your dark glasses to reveal a pair of googly-eyes-on-springs glasses which can be purchased at joke shops. Alternatively, learn a 'remote-viewing' magic trick to perform. You'll be amazed how many people believe that laser surgery really can give you special powers.)
A few days later I found that my eyes were stinging when I applied drops and I was getting through loads of the 'fake tears' I was provided with in my goody bag. At my one week routine check up I was told that I'd developed an allergy to the preservatives in the bottled drops and was given individual vials of viscous tears to use instead. These were really soothing and the clinic supplied me with as many as I needed. Apart from that minor hiccup everything was fine.
I went for a one month routine check up which was simple because everything was ok. I only needed to use the viscous drops very occassionally. I don't use them at all now.
After three months I find that my vision isn't quite as good as it was with my very best lenses. I do experience a slight glare effect but that has improved over the past 3 months. Also, I had fantastic near vision before. I was often called upon to read hallmarks or thread needles. This is now compromised but I don't really care. The novelty of threading needles wears thin. The experience of not needing the 'crutch' of spectacles just gets better. Almost every day I find a new benefit to having my vision corrected. My only regret is that I didn't have it done 10 years ago. -
six weeks on after surgery in birmingham and been told better than 20/20 vision more than happy with the results. would recommend to anyone. my only advice follow the drops religiously and you will be fine
-
Had bilateral wavefront Lasek on Tuesday at the Birmingham facility. Lovely staff and facilities. Gave my wife the opportunity to sample the new Bullring shopping, which may prove expensive if you are kept waiting too long.
Treatment was excellent and Mr George puts you at ease with his relaxed and friendly style. Had a bit of a journey back to Liverpool with the wife driving. Dont forgt your sunglasses! Even though it was nighttime traveling home the glare of vehicles/ roadlights can be quite harsh.
They fix you up with all your medication including local pain relief drops if you need them. Found I needed it first morning, but coping fine with the lube drops since, but had to keep light levels low. Eyesight is fine and its a great feeling knowing you dont need glasses anymore. Due to have my bandage lenses out tomorrow. Still its been nice to have had 4 days out of work too
Yes most definately wished I could have done it sooner!!
-
All I'd heard was true! After 50 years wearing glasses I am now normal. Lasik surgery yesterday. No pain. Only slight grittiness. Very light sensitive for about 3 hours. Great monovision almost instantly. Was -4 and -8, today “better than 20/20”. Highly recommend Glasgow Renfield Street Clinic for professional caring staff. Thanks to all. – May