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
I have recently gone through lens replacement surgery at Optical Express in Westfield Shopping Centre, Shepherds Bush, London.
Up until the time of surgery I had been wearing both glasses and contact lenses but had reached a point where glasses were only good for distance and had to be removed for close vision. With contact lenses, I wore a lens in one eye for distance and nothing in the other eye for close vision and this was beginning to cause irritation as neither distance or close vision were ever particularly clear at any time.
I decided to contact Optical Express and booked a consultation to see if lens replacement surgery would be a good solution for me. From the very first contact with Optical Express, they have been thoroughly professional, efficient and friendly throughout the process. From the moment I met the surgeon Dr Dimitri Kazakos, I knew I was in good hands. His calm, thorough and professional approach and his extensive knowledge and experience in this field put me at ease straight away.
The surgery itself was very straightforward, painless and quick. Sentiments echoed by the other patients I met over the two days.
The results are fantastic. I have just had my one week post-op check-up and have better than 20/20 vision in both eyes. I opted for the Tecnis multifocal 70/30 lens (as advised by Dimitri) and could not be happier. I see good distance and can read small print without any assistance from glasses or contact lenses.
I am absolutely delighted with the outcome and have no hesitation in recommending Optical Express as your eye care specialist. Dimitri Kazakos and the team at Optical Express Westfield Shopping Centre are first class, as are the team at their Shaftesbury Avenue centre where I had the initial consultation and subsequent post-op check-ups.
I completed natural lens replacement in both eyes last week by Dimitri Kazakos and am very happy with the outcome. I think my concerns would be common; will it hurt and will it work? I am pleased to reassuringly report that it has worked and there was zero discomfort.
Dimitri has a reassuring presence earned from confidence and experience and this is authentic in his tone, language and manner; promising nothing but reassuring of the likely outcome.
I had an issue with one of the anaesthetic drops and observing how competent and professional the anaesthetist behaved and then used as a teaching moment to the support team was very comforting.
I drove for 15 hours, mostly at night 2 days after the surgery and was neither tired nor strained, which is an impressive testament to speed of the recovery – indeed I had a business meeting the evening between surgeries and was fine with that also.
I had very strong near vision but needed lenses or glasses for distance and low level light environment; especially for golf and night driving. I am most pleased that I have fully retained short range quality and can now drive safely and read announcements at train stations at long range.
my weak eye had a 70/30 replacement and my dominant eye had an 80/20 to enhance longer range vision. At this stage, I don’t have the marginal improvement and this may be tweaked but the combined effect is extremely efficient.
There is a large organisation feeding into the Westfield centre of operations and some of the process and logistics regarding scheduling has been annoying but the reason for enquiring was to improve my eyesight and that has been highly successful and utterly free of discomfort and side effects.
Thank you to Dimitri and his team, he is charming gentleman.
After a not too successful first lens replacement surgery, where I was left needing glasses for distance vision I had to wait 7 months, I’ve just had my right eye lens replaced, I was warned by Dimitri that I would probably loose some near vision, I’m pleased to say that, 36 hours after the surgery, my sight is great, I can still read the writing on the small medication bottles, and distance vision is more than good…..one happy bunny, for information sake, I’m a 66 years old male, thank you Dimitri
I’m in my mid fifties, very keen sportsman with a professional career in technology. My goal was to become contact lens and glasses free. I wanted to be able to enjoy my hard won recreation activities. On the squash court I wanted to be contact lens free, I found that although I wear protective eye wear the contact lenses fog up with the sweat more than the glasses. I also wanted to enjoy the benefits of not having to rely on reading glasses whilst working.
There are probably many reasons why I didn’t do this sooner (my biggest regret), cost is one but the other is the fear of the operation.
Well the cost factor faded when we consider what holidays and cars cost us against a life changing experience. The fear did not subside until after the first eye was complete.
This operation was like having a very, very minor dental op. The procedure is handled by people who are on top of their game and once you realise this you can relax, like I did. I have worked for 30 years in the tech industry so perhaps I have seen most sides of technology, its benefits versus what happens when it goes wrong. All I can say is that the operation was completely safe and simple. The experience of total and complete vision after three days was one I will not forget. Service is supreme when systems and procedures are very high but I felt the difference at the clinic in Westfield and in particular Dimitri was of the personal approach and what felt like an honest presentation of what can be achieved to balance expectation. I’m very happy and if you are reading this with a view of having this done then you have come this far, don’t hesitate!
I am 63 years old and was fed up with using glasses, and having them slide down my nose. I used 2.5-3.0 diopter glasses for reading. Friends had had laser surgery and I decided that was for me too. I had my Lens Replacement in Optical Express at Shepherds Bush at the beginning of November 2016. Initially I was hoping for laser surgery, but as I had a cataract developing in each eye I went with the multi lens replacement instead. I had the right eye done on a Wednesday and the left the following day. The surgery itself was quick, professional and painless and the staff made me feel relaxed. I must admit I was taken a bit aback by the surgery being in a unit in a shopping mall, but everything was exceedingly professional and well carried out. Thank you everyone!
My follow-up review at Reading was also relaxed and professional. I have been unfortunate in that I can see the edge of the lens in both eyes (which I believe settles down as your brain gets used to the new lenses), I have had Iritis in both eyes and also developed PVD (Posterior Vitreous Detachment) in my right eye. However none of these problems are down to the surgery, just my bad luck.
I now have better than 20/20 vision in both eyes, with no loss of distance vision. I have had no light sensitivity although I do have some experience of haloes at night, and an occasional shimmering of vision in the morning although this o nay lasts for seconds. I am so glad I had the procedure done, and have certainly recommended it to friends and family. Thank you Dimitri and Optical Express