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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
Had the treatment 6 days ago fro a -6.5 with -3 astigmatism in both eyes.
The pre op care and the surgery all was very good, courteous and professional.
At present I am extremely disappointed with the results and am wishing that I never went ahead with it. I was expecting a vast improvement when I got the contact lenses removed 2 days ago. However my vision is blurred and I am seeing all the characters on my keyboard in double. The computer screen is impossible to read.. And driving is not possible, my vision is nowhere near this standard.
I cannot go to work as I need good vision and use computers all day.
I was led to believe I would see a vast improvement when the lenses were taken out and according to the info I was given and what the consultant said I would have vision as god as my glasses. At the present rate that my vision is stabilising I just don’t see how this is going to happen. I was expecting an increase in my quality of life and waving goodbye to glasses and contact lenses…huh. At present I feel I my just be waving goodbye to my job. My employer doesn’t have the luxury of waiting for months until my vision to improve.
I recently had a consultation in the Kirkcaldy branch where I was seen by my counsellor who explained what was going to happen and introduced me to the optometrist who carried out the consultation. The drops were the worst part as it was very sunny outside and i had forgotten to bring my sunglasses!
Everyone was very friendly and professional. (even got a nice cup of tea! )
Surgery was straight forward and again everyone was very friendly and re-assuring. I was a bag of nerves but the surgeon was very professional and explained everything as we went along wich helped my nerves.
I would recomend Optical Express to everyone!
I had my treatment in December 2008 at Liverpool One by Mr Qazi. The surgeon is amazing, very reassuring, and all the staff in the laser room were lovely.
After I had had it done, I went home and went to sleep. I had slight discomfort for a couple of days until the bandage contact lenses were taken out.
Now I have better than 20/20 vision!!!! The thing I have noticed most about having my eyes done is walking around in the rain – I can normally be seen with a big grin on my face when it is raining now, as I no longer need windscreen wipers on my glasses anymore!!!!!!
Thanks Optical Express!!
I had my surgery last Friday at the Harley Street branch by Jonathan Carr who talked me through the whole thing before and during I was very impressed with the staff and their attention to detail. Both the surgeon and the back-up staff made me feel at ease and answered all my questions on the day. I had relatively little pain or discomfort (take your own pain killers as soon as you go to the after-care room) and after getting home and going to sleep for a few hours I woke up with the streaming gone and pretty much perfect vision. This was confirmed the next day at the 1-day check-up with better than 20/20 vision.
By Day 2 I had no discomfort at all and am taking my drops as directed.
My consultation and check-up have been at the Watford branch and I have to say they have been very good as well. Both times I have been seen 5 mins early, as soon as I turned up, and the the staff are very freindly and again answered all questions professionally and with ease.
My only very small gripe with the whole thing is that they tell you to allow 2.5 to 3 hours on the day, but I was done and ready to go in an hour!!! …as someone was picking me up (and I couldn’t get in contact with them) I had to wait quite a long time in the after-care room. So, no problem if someone is with you but if you are being collected, just be aware.
I had my surgery last Friday at the Harley Street branch by Jonathan Carr. I was very impressed with the staff and their attention to detail. Both the surgeon and the back-up staff made me feel at ease and answered all my questions on the day. I had relatively little pain or discomfort (take your own pain killers as soon as you go to the aftercare room) and after gettiing home and going to sleep for a few hours I woke up with the streaming gone and pretty much perfect vision. This was confirmed the next day at the 1-day check-up with better than 20/20 vision.
By Day 2 I had no discomfort at all and am taking my drops as directed.
My consultation and check-up have been at the Watford branch and I have to say they have been very good as well. Both time I have been seen 5 early, as soon as I turned up, and the the staff are very freindly and again answered all questions professionally with ease.
My only very small gripe with the whole thing is that they tell you to allow 2.5 to 3 hours on the day, but I was done in and ready to go in an hour!!! …as someone was picking me up (and I couldnt get in contact with them) I had to wait quite a long time in the aftercare room. So, no problem if someone is with you but if you are being collected, just be aware.