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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
I initially contacted MaxiVision by telephone in the hope of getting a brochure and at a time when I was unsure of exactly what was involved in the procedure. However the staff were extremely helpful with me and even called me back to explain what was involved to take the time to answer my long long list of questions. All of my appointments were pre-confirmed by phone which meant that I never missed an appointment….I have read many comments on this site and others and luckily for me the procedure was completely painless and over in minutes.. I cant believe just how little sensation there actually was during the procedure…Now all I keep thinking is “I wish I had it done years ago!!!” I understand that not everyone is suitable but its definitely worth finding out if you are as this has changed my life….. From receiving my brochure and booking my consultation and assessment, my laser eye surgery was done within 3 weeks. I even managed to meet friends for a meal on the night of my surgery and I could see!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Had treatment on the 14/06 and it was fantaaaaastic i cannot praise the people involved enough!!!!!!! I now have 20/20 vision from a -3.75 persription no pain no discomfort if you want it done then this is the place to go Shaftesbury Avenue they even pay your hotel bill for an over night stay if you live outside London if anyone wants to know more then please email me I will reply
Just a quick follow up to my previous comments. I had mt left eye contact lens removed on Monday and could read the second from bottom line only 5 days after LASEK. I was told this was normal vision for people who don’t need glasses/contacts at all and I still had a couple more days for my eyes to settle even more. I am due for my next check at Northampton and Monday 17t June and feel positive I will be able to see the bottom line!!(Here’s hoping) I’v gone back to work and things are great and I’m only using the Lubricant drops now which are lovely to use even if you don’t feel like you need them. It was great to find out that Maxivision read this site, so if you;r reading this Mr Nylander, I think you’re the best, thank you very much!!!!
Follow up to yesterday’s post.
Today I received a phone call from Maxivision’s head office expressing their concern about my comments regarding surgeons being pressurised into treating unsuitable patients.
He said that he’d been deeply concerned by my statement and expressed that this was not Maxivision’s policy and that they would much rather turn away a patient than treat them knowing there’s a higher risk of complication.
I was pleased that a) they keep an eye on this site and others like it and take on board the comments made and b) that he had taken the time to call me.
Like I said in yesterday’s post. I was delighted with the treatment and the service from all of the Maxivision staff (including the surgeon) but was just a tad miffed at the timing of the surgeons comments. 10 minutes before surgery – I had other things on my mind….!
I had my surgery on May 22nd. The staff were very friendly and put me at ease and there was no waiting around at all. However, the surgeon did go on a bit about how most clinics (including Maxivision) are becoming more and more money orientated and that he was totally fed up with it all. He said that a lot of surgeons were being pressurised into treating unsuitable candidates to boost the clinics cash-flow and that he was now working his notice. But I was not to worry coz he would contact me (and all of his patients) to let us know where he was going in case we had complications or needed enhancements after he had left…..just what I needed to hear 10 minutes before surgery!
Anyway, the procedure itself was pretty straight forward and not painful at all. I could see straight away (was -4.75 in both eyes) although my vision was milky as I’d been fitted with surgical contact lenses. The nurse examined my eyes before I left and I was astounded at how much I could see already.
I’d booked into a hotel round the corner so walked the 5 minutes to the hotel and took myself off to bed. I slept for 3 hours or so and woke up feeling quite sore. My eyes were burning so I took a couple of pain killers and applied more ointment. Both contact lenses had fallen out by this time. I was still experiencing discomfort the next morning – but not pain. However the whites of my eyes were very bruised and I looked like I’d been punched.
3 days later I was no better. My eyes were extremely dry and achey. I’d tried to go back to work but the air conditioning in the building drove me crazy so I had to go home. The only time I felt any relief was when I applied the antibiotic drops. The lubricant ointment they’d given me was no help at all.
I rang the clinic and was put through to a nurse who suggested I go to the chemist and buy some eye drops rather than ointment but to make sure it was drops that were suitable to use with contact lenses. I did this and bought drops called Hyprmellose (recommended by the pharmacist).
The relief was instant. As soon as the drops went in my eyes cooled down, vision cleared and the aching went.
When I went back to the clinic for my 7 day check I told them this and they gave me another two bottles (free of charge). But offered no explanation as to why they hadn’t given me drops in the first place.
Anyway, 3 weeks on from the op I feel great. Vision is good, dryness has virtually gone. I still smile to myself every morning when I wake up and realise that I can see the time on the clock without squinting. I would recommend LASIK to anyone but would advise that you make sure you are using the best post-op products for you. If you’re feeling discomfort it could be that you’re reacting to the ointments/drops given to you by the clinic.