The first Ultralase clinic was opened in January 1991 at the Clatterbridge Hospital near Chester. At the time, all treatments performed were Photorefractive Keratotomy, or PRK, until the Lasik procedure was introduced in 1995.
With the introduction of Lasik, and the clear advantages it demonstrated for certain patients, Ultralase went through a period of dramatic growth through 2002.
2003 Ultralase introduced the revolutionary UltraPlus treatment with Wavefront technology, giving patients visual outcomes far surpassing those of standard laser treatments. Ultralase became the first provider to have all treatment outcomes verified by independent audit.
In March 2009, the commitment to clinical excellence led Ultralase to become the first UK provider to have all Great Britain surgeons certified in Laser Refractive Surgery by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth).
Ultralase Prices
Ultralase comes in second place in our list of the best laser eye surgery clinics in the UK for price, just after Optical Express. That’s because this clinic offers the full shebang: transparent prices, 0% finance options, free consultations, and competitive prices.
The cost of eye surgery at Ultralase ranges between £1,1695 and £2,995 (per eye), depending on the treatment type that you agree upon in discussion with a surgeon. These prices are in line with the average cost of eye surgery, but not quite as low as Optical Express.
Treatments Offered
You can count on Ultralase for the main laser eye and lens replacement surgery procedures. These include: LASIK and LASEK with Wavefront options, as well as refractive lens exchange (RLE), implantable contact lenses, and cataract surgery.
Is Ultralase Right for You?
With nearly 3,000 overall positive reviews from independent customers in the UK, Ultralase is one of the best-rated laser eye surgery clinics by patients. People value this clinic for its:
- Friendly prices – Fixed and reasonable prices help you know what to expect.
- Nationwide clinics – Ultralase has 20 clinics in the UK, including in London, Reading and St Albans.
- Decent aftercare – Ultralase provides free aftercare – one check-up and drops for the first three months.
Despite glowing reviews, however, it’s worth reading the fine print if you do choose Ultralase. In 2015, BBC’s Watchdog exposed the problems countless laser eye surgery patients have experienced accessing their lifelong aftercare.
Most user reviews on Lasik Eyes show happy experiences, but then again most people never need to take advantage of their lifetime guarantee. If you would like to find out whether Ultralase is the top-rated laser eye surgery clinic near you, we’re here to help.
Still, Ultralase features in several of Lasik Eyes’ lists of top-rated eye surgery:
Find Your Perfect Match
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 our readers every day get closer to going glasses free:
- Find the top clinic in seconds: Answer three questions to be matched to the leading eye clinic in your area
- Check you’re eligible in minutes: Receive a quick call to check you can get surgery (we will never 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 and personalised quote (with no obligation)
☛ Click here to find the top-rated clinic near you, and get a tailored quote.
Ultralase Reviews
Jo
Reply to S Kalyan from Ultralase: Research has shown that LASEK is comparable to LASIK in its effectiveness for the treatment of myopia (short-sight) of up to -11D. The advice you were given at your consultation is consistent with this, and your prescription falls well within our treatment parameters for LASEK, using the Bausch and Lomb Technolas laser. Other clinics may choose their own treatment parameters depending on the lasers they use or on their surgical expeience, which is why you may have previously been told that LASEK was only appropriate for milder prescriptions. In your personal situation, there are definite benefits to LASEK being offered as you rightly highlight and I hope that this feedback will give you reassurance in light of differing information from different providers. My name is Jo and I am part of the Customer Services Team at Ultralase. We will happily answer any questions that you might have, so please don't hesitate to post your queries!
Leslie Hill
I am interested in someone commenting about their experience with PRK lasix surgery. I only have two more days to decide if I should cancel my surgery. I would really appreciate some feedback before 7-15-03. Please write!!
Andy Goodwin
Thanks to everyone for writing here. Having read all (that took a while) the comments I have decided that there is no way I would go ahead anymore. My vision is good with contact lenses and I can't bing myself to risk it! cheers
M Brid
I had laser eye surgery on my right eye over 10 years ago. My primary concern was that my night vision would be unimpaired after treatment.I did not expect to be 20/20 but I did need to have vision good enough for night driving even if it meant still needing glasses for this. My vision was better without glasses after the operation but nowhere near as good as it had been before using glasses.My night vision was awful. I queried this and was told I had some haze which would clear with time and that Ishould proceed with having my left eye treated . I booked my left eye for treatment and waited for my right eye to improve .It did not .I cancelled the left eye operation and tried to find out why my right eye was so poor. It became obvious to me that the problem was more fundamental than haze ,but I could get no information at all from the clinic .I realised I could not risk my left eye as Iwas now totally dependant on my untreated eye for night driving , reading or any fine detailed vision.Over the next few years I was unable to get much useful information as to what was wrong nor could get glasses which would help .Eventually I worked out for myself with a bit of help from a manufacturer of optical aids for the visually impaired what the problem was. Basically most people need an optical zone of 6.5 mm diameter treated , I seem to have had less than 5mm treated . this means that in bright daylight my eyesight is O.K. but as my pupil dilates my vision rapidly deteriorates .I have failed to find any surgeon who has any interest or experience in fixing my eye . It is not policy for laser eye surgeries to correct eye defects caused by laser surgery . So here I am 10 years on with 2 totally incompatible eyes , with no chance of getting my right eye fixed and not daring to risk having my left eye treated , Be warned , every one is great when they make assurances and take your money but if things go wrong you are on your own.
Tracey
I had my consultation at BIRMINGHAM and found it to be very thorough. My prescription is -3.25 and -3. I am a little worried about the size of my pupils and about this permanent loss in best corrected spectable vision. Can anybody give me their views on Birmingham Ultralase or on the large pupil/permanent sight loss issues? Many thanks - I'm due to have surgery 20 August!
Bev
Hi, I have just booked my lasik treatment at the hammersmith clinic with Matthew Starr can find very little out about him only one or two mentions here. Can anybody give me anymore feedback? Also what do the letters MBBS, FRSM, MRCOphth mean are they the best qualifications for a laser eye surgeon and is there a register to check surgeons out on ??? Please feel free to e-mail me direct or reply here if you can help in anyway.
alison
I have been advised that my cornea is too thin for Lasik but that I can still consider PRK. I am concerned about the pain and recovery period and the haze effect. If you have had PRK in the past couple of years please could you let me know about your experiences. Thanks
Aliya
Hello just a question. Has anybody had the lens implant surgery carried out by Optimax at Finchley Road? If so please could you let me know how it was and who exaclty qualifies. Is it a good alternative to Lasik and PRK?
Trevor
Has anyone had any experience with Leeds branch of Ultralase? Is the surgeon any good?
Paula
Hi, I am considering having laser eye surgery and am doing my rounds of research! The comments I have seen concerning Ultralase have been reassuring, but I would like to hear from those who have a similar slightly unusual prescription like myself which is long sighted (R +3.50, L +3.75) with short sighted astigmatism (R -3.75, L -3.00). My main concerns are the amount of time for my prescription to settle (I have been told 6 months) and the possibility of starburst and halo's at night, can anyone settle my concerns?
