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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 had my surgery approx 2 months ago, I still cannot not believe the result , amazing! Better than 20.20 vision.
Initially the wait prior to the operation was too long,really . However once with the surgeon and his team, the procedure went very well and quickly. This was quite an unnerving experience, the team were very reassuring during the procedure, which put my mind at ease. Afterwards,my eyes were very sore and stung for several hours afterwards, resting was difficult. Later that day, when my eyes had settled I could see that my sight was certainly improved, the next day I was euphoric as I could see, so unbelievable! They have continued to improve as time goes by, absolutely fantastic! I would thoroughly recommend anyone to at least have the initial consultation, to assess if they are suitable. If so don’t hesitate, brilliant.
My experience is a bit of a mix bag with Optical express. Having said that having laser surgery is one of the best things I have ever done! I had my surgery 4 days ago and apart from a little dryness and tenderness I can see absolutely fine no problems whatsoever.
My initial consultation at Meadowhall was a little disappointing. I felt that there was an emphasis on “selling” the treatment, it was almost like buying a car in some respects. I didn’t decide to go ahead with the treament on that day, I needed to think about the cost a bit more. As a result, I received phone calls from both the shop and head office regarding the treatment. I finally decided to go ahead.
I found the actual laser treatment quite an unpleasant experience but not necessarily painful. Worse than I thought though! However, the surgeon and surgerical team were absolutely fantastic – first class!!! Couldn’t fault them. They were very supportive and reassuring. It lasted for all of 10 minutes, so easily bearable even for the faint hearted like myself.
The hours after treament were bearable but again not very pleasant. I had streaming and stinging eyes for hours afterwards. I couldn’t physically open my eyes for a good few hours afterwards. I had my treatment at 11.30 and by tea time I still had blurred vision and very heavy eyes but I was able to open my eyes a little.
Slept absolutely fine that night and the day after was remarkable. No pain and excellent vision. My eyes still get tired quickly especially after watching TV and working on the computer.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who is 100% sure that they want to do this. The surgical team at Optical Express Meadowhall were fantastic and I would highly recommend anyone to go there just on the basis of that as it’s critical for something like this.
I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this surgery to friends. It’s still a bit early to see the final results but I am over the moon with what has been achieved so far!
I had my consultation at Darlington and surgery at Newcastle with Mr Lorrimer Esselaar on Fri 12th June. I’ve worn glasses/contact lenses for 30yrs+ and it took me several years to pick up the courage to go and I could not believe how simple and painless it actually was. I was given various treatment options that would be suitable.
My work involves looking at computer screens all day so I decided not to go for the basic Lasik treatment as there was better success results and recovery times with the Wavefront and Intralase treatments included – I would be lost without my eyes.
I was in the clinic approx 2hrs – all staff were very helpful and put you at ease. The surgery itself lasted no more than 10mins and was totally painless. Every step was explained clearly to me before and during the surgery.
After the anaesthetic drops wore off I had slight pain (like peeling onions) and my eyes were very watery but after sleeping for a couple of hours, I could see almost perfectly without glasses. The more I slept, the better they got.
I would definitely recommend it to anyone and like everyone else wish I had done it sooner.
Special thanks to Mr Esselaar and everyone involved in my surgery and the consultation prior to surgery.
I have a spinal injury and use a wheelchair. I found the staff to be extremely friendly and accommodating, but the equipment was not disabled friendly at all. It was not an easy process doing the numerous tests and scans. Although the technology itself is amazing, I wish I’d thought more carefully about it before having it done. I’ve only ever heard great things about it, so it never occurred to me, nor was I told, that by correcting my short sightedness, my near vision would worsen. It has only been two weeks since my surgery and I’m only 30, so I am told it should improve. My mum has postponed her surgery as her near vision will definitely be compromised because of her age and seeing how I am struggling with it, she is not sure whether it is worth it. After I had the surgery, within 20 minutes the anaesthetic had worn off and the pain was excruciating for about 5 hours, although my eyes were fine after that. On a positive note, my long vision is fantastic and worth every penny. My one recommendation is to not rush into it without giving it plenty of thought.