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.
-
Excellent service and a perfect result. No pain although i was very nervous beforehand.The staff made me feel at ease. Cannot rate highly enough. I even got a discount which helped no end as the treatment is quite expensive! I did alot of research before deciding on optical express and feel sure i made the right decision.
All the best Nigel
-
I had my surgery on the 14th Aug at Optical Express, Bluewater. I found the staff really friendly when I arrived and they really do put you at ease. The worst part is having to wait for your turn but you do get to speak to the Consultant before the procedure to answer any questions or concerns you have. I found the actual procedure totally painless and it only takes a few minutes each eye. My special thanks to Mr Osama Giledi the Consultant who really made me feel at ease, he talked me through the whole procedure and the nurse is also by your side for the whole time. After one week I can’t believe how good my vision is, I would recommend this to anyone, I wish I’d done it sooner! Thanks Optical Express!!
-
Further to my previous postings I wanted to offer my latest feedback. It is now 17 months on from my procedure and my eyes are absolutely superb. I have now seen three of my family have the same procedure and they are so happy that they took the decision. No regrets, no pain, just fantastic sight.
I was worried that my sight may have started to deminish with time. I can put those fears to one side as it is stable and very clear. Its improved my golf no end too!
If anyone would like further information or a money off voucher I will send one up free of charge. Please contact me by clicking my name on the top of the posting or at intamedia@blueyonder.co.uk.
Bristol Clinic was totally excellent too. Great service all round. Everyone has their own experience but I cannot rate Optical Express highly enough.
Go for it
Paul
-
Being 62 years old I was originally disappointed to learn, after my original assessment, that I would need reading glasses afterwards – swapping distance glasses for reading ones didn’t seem like such a good deal.However, some months later I decided to go ahead – after all, reading glasses are a lot cheaper and wearing glasses indoors less hassle than out and about. My surgery was with Mrs Mcgraw in Southampton. The procedure was painless and straightforward, although somewhat stressful, not least trying to keep ones eyes totally still. The staff were generally helpful although on arrival I was parked in front of a television for half an hour with no further information – not good when you’re apprehensive prior to the procedure. Also, during my pre-op discussion with Mrs Mcgraw she went into the benefits of alternative procedures such as corneal implants, Wavefront, etc. – but at that stage it’s really much too late to be reconsidering one’s decision – the discussion would have been much more helpful at an earlier consultation. (I was also told by an ophthalmologist who I had to see pre-op to eliminate a retinal patch which Optical Express had found that the benefit would be dubious at my age as cataracts increase after age 60, but again I had not been warned of this in previous consultations, and feel I should have.)
Immediately post-op I had almost no after-effects such as pain, stinging, watering or photophobia, so consider myself fortunate there. My post-op course was also very straightforward and I didn’t need to use the drops at all after a couple of weeks.
I’m now over 3 months post-op, with vision in one eye down to the bottom line of the chart and in the other to the line above. I’m told one eye is often better than the other although I would have thought that after laser surgery they might usually be the same! So generally the result is very good, with excellent daytime vision. However, halos and starbursts at night are rather more pronounced, which I was not warned about (I know Wavefront eliminates these, but I thought that related to pre-existing ones). Fortunately I do not drive at night very often. I’m told they may yet improve, but I will be surprised if they do.
Follow-up was good, although on Day One the optomotrist seemed unclear as to what procedure I’d had and at another they weren’t sure when I’d had my surgery. So record-keeping could be better.
All in all, speaking as a doctor, I’m well pleased with the result and have no regrets, and wish I’d had the surgery sooner. It remains to be seen if the residual halos will resolve and how long I will retain the benefits of surgery before cataracts eliminate them. -
In April of this year I went up to Bristol from Torquay for my treatment. I had Tom Matterman as my surgeon and I can’t praise him enough. I did a lot of research before and after deciding to go ahead. I even watched youtube videos – I wouldn’t recommend that, lol.
Anyhow, it took just over 10 mins to do both eyes and was a breeze, I was slightly nervous, but having broken down on the way up , got rid of the majority of nerves while waiting for the AA. You are explained everything and the drops are so good you don’t feel anything. When you have had the treatment, your eyes feel sensitive to light, so you will need sunglasses. But there is no pain, just a bit of discomfort for a couple of hours. If you do the drops and as you are told – you will be fine.
6 months on and my eyes are perfect. I couldn’t be any happier.