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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.
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I chose to have Lasek treatment earlier this year (April) as I was a soon to qualify student midwife fed up of wearing lenses and glasses. The lasek treatment was performed by Mr Aziz at the Manchester clinic. My prescription before hand was -3 in both eyes. I now have 6/5 in both eyes with no problems of dryness or halo's. The procedure itself on the Saturday morning was slightly uncomfortable but painless. Later the same evening I needed paracetamol as well as the clinics recommended medication. I required pain relief for mild/moderate pain until the discomfort subsided on the Monday morning. All follow up appointments have been conducted professionally and no problems have been identified. The proceedure has improved my life beyond words and I still marvel on a daily basis on the clarity of my sight. An added bonus has been the dissapearance of the multitude of headaches I used to experience before treatment. Before the procedure I researched both the treatments and clinics thoroughly. Optical Express came out as favourite mainly because of the Laser used within their clinic. Two of my friends have now also had the Lasek treatment, both have 6/5 vision. One of them is a Nurse, the other is her 62 year old mother. AMAZING.
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I have today had my 3 month check up at Milton Keynes Optical Express. I am 35 and wore glasses for short-sightedness for 25 years. I have better than 20-20 vision and I find it quite incredible. There is slight glare at night compared to before the procedure, but i think this is lessening. the whole process was fairly easy, physically, and very worthwhile.
At Optical Express the surgeon, optometrist (Darcey) and counsellor were all very good, although the counsellor was a bit dim. The only criticism I would make that there was no pro-action on their part. when i had questions i would telephone and never be able to reach a counsellor or optometrist. there was no voicemail and my messages left with at reception were rarely passed on. my calls were never returned. the clinic operates using a diary stretching only a few weeks into the future, so appointments for the procedure and check ups are very hit and miss. i was awaiting a call offering me a date for the procedure, and would probably still be waiting had i not phoned up and pestered them until i happily discovered a cancellation. so the patient care was excellent in one way, and terrible in another. i was told that if i had any questions i need only phone them to ask. the reality was that i could never get to speak to anyone or have my calls returned. having said that, i am very pleased with the procedure, and the medical side was very professional indeed. -
On June 16th I had my Lasek laser surgery, being at the tender age of 23 I had a few reservations, however my career path dictated that it was either laser surgery or not being able to follow my career goal of becoming a Police Officer. Dday came very quickly and the relaxed atmoshpere and pleasant staff at Milton Keynes really made it an enjoyable experience. I opted for the lasek over the lasik as the lasek offered greater security in the long term with regards to contact sports and I guess when I join the police I can expect to get a few punches thrown at me from time to time! The surgery went smoothly and was completely pain free, all I can describe it as is being very very weird. You are awake for the whole procedure which again is weird as you can also see what is happening. The staff were very good and explained each step as it came and went. In total it took 20 minutes to do both eyes with the laser only on for 23 seconds per eye. After the surgery I went home and straight to bed as you do feel very tired. The first couple of nights were a bit uncomfortable and the way I can describe this if you are a contact lens wearer it is the same feeling you get when you have had your contacts in for too long. I had the protective contact lenses removed 4 days after the surgery and this also helped to improve the comfort. I was a little disappointed as my vision which had improved greatly since the surgery seemed to take a step back. I asked if this was permanent and was assured that it would take at least 4 days to settle down. I awoke Tuesday morning and it was as if some one had flipped a switch while I was sleeping, my vision was brilliant! From being quite blurry on the Monday to being as clear as a bell on Tuesday, was great! I did find that my eyes did tend to dry out over night which would wake me during the night with very sore eyes, however the good news is there is an easy solution. I bought some “Simple Eye Ointment” from the chemist this is more of a gel than the eye drops given and keeps your eyes moist thoughout the night. I am now 2 months down the road from my surgery and had a check up yesterday and the results are very very good, in my right eye I have 20/20 vision and in my left eye I have better than 20/20 both eyes have completely healed and I have been told that they are as healed as if I had never had the surgery. I cannot recommend this procedure highly enough. Although it may take a little longer for the vision and healing to take place the results are FANTASTIC. I have also now been accepted into the Police which wouldn't have happened without the surgery!
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I've just got home, having had Lasik at the Shaftsebury Avenue branch yesterday. The actual op was painless (although the smell was pretty gross) but after the drops wore off I had a lot of pain (for about 4 hours afterwards). I had elected to stay overnight in a nearby hotel to save journeying to home and back the next day for the check-up. I was glad of this when the pain kicked in. After the op I stumbled to my room, lay down and slept. Things got clearer from then on and were very good this morning. My vision is still not quite as good as it used to be with my glasses on (although better than they expected it to be), especially the close stuff which used to be fine without my glasses. They say that this will improve throughout the week. The anti-biotic and anti-inflammatory post op drops are quite painful (two lots 4 times a day for a week) and you can taste them – not nice. All in all I'm very pleased so far, safe in the knowledge it should keep improving. I am a little nervous about my 1 week check up at which they should know if it was too short or too long a 'burn' (I found it really hard to decide which choice was clearest each time in the pre-op checks), but would be happy to have it again for a correction if necessary as it was far less painful than I expected. Everyone else I saw had also had a positive experience, although pain levels and vision the next day varied a lot.
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I had Lasik done last Thursday 6th August 2004. I am pleased to say that I m very happy with the treatment and I have not experienced any problems. The staff at the Milton Keynes branch were very good and I would reccomend the treatment to anyone. I have so far only had my 1st follow up appointment so hopefully things will continue to go as planned.