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
simon kemp
I would love to hear from anyone who has had their treatment in Manchester and which surgeon would you recomend.
Jackie Cowgill
Fantastic and friendly service! I can now after two months see absolutely perfectly. I should have done this years ago. My friend and I, who also had the assessment and treatment at the same time, are so delighted that we are telling everyone about it. At our last eye test we both have vision better than 20/20! The staff at Chester made the expereice so pleasurable. They all made us feel very special and everyone was extremely friendly. The receptionists always knew who we were without us telling them and Lee and his mother deserve a special mention as they were fantastic. Jackie Cowgill - A VERY SATISFIED CUSTOMER
Joanna Davidson
Clear explanations, great staff and good follow-ups. The treatment was very effective and I now need no glasses or lenses at all. I should have done this years ago!
Peter Fice
Excellent service throughout. Friendly and efficient staff. Extremely professional and informative opticians. What a gread result! The only downside - I realise my wife is no longer as size 10, or 25!
Alison Butler
Freedom from glasses after all those years. I still wake up some mornings and automatically reach for my specs before getting out of bed. I was so thrilled with my treatment I wanted to share my experience with anyone who would listen. At the time I likened it to having a baby (without the pain) feeling like I had joined a new exclusive club. I wanted to go up to people in the street and sell the cause.
Dee Gor
I had LASIK treatment last December at the Ultralase Tottenham Court Road clinic in London and I am delighted with the results. I have to travel frequently, often on long-haul flights and the freedom from having to take my lenses out before going to sleep and from arriving feeling grotty with my glasses on is terrific. My friends and family constantly comment on how much better my sight seems to be compared to theirs.
Carol Thatcher
Wonderful! It was great to be able to go out and not have put on glases or fiddle around with contacts. The confidence boost that being able to see clearly again was amasing. I would recommend Ultralase to anyone. The service I received was fantastic and the staff at the London and St Albans centres where marvelous. I went for my consultation on the wednesday and due to a cancellation had the surgery on the friday (No time to worry). The aftercare was wonderful too. I would say that it was the best thing that money could buy. I give the team a big thumbs up!!!!!!! ;-)
Judith Doe
All the Ultralase staff are most professional and supportive. The clinic in Birmingham was a pleasure to visit.After wearing spectacles for approximately 38years and no longer needing them is more than I could have hoped for. Due to my high prescription the cost of spectacles was enormous and now it's nothing. Our son had never seen me without glasses until the operation so he probably found it strange seeing a different mom. It was truly painless and I could see the moment I sat up. I recommend the clinic to everyone with glasses that I speak to and at least one person for sure has taken my advice and has not regretted it. He says it is the best advise he's ever been given and from a business man that tells you everything! To anyone thinking about it don't think do it and you will never regret it. I have always said that if anyone wanted advice I would speak to them. I even told my optician if he has anyone who wants to speak to someone about it he could give them my telephone number and I would recommend Ultralase. At my last eye test my eyes had improved from the previous year, another testament for Ultralase. My optician couldn't wait to see the scar and was amazed as he could hardly see anything at all and this was within weeks of the operation.
Andy Harrison
Lying on the table, looking up at the laser tool... for once pleased my shortsightedness gave me a blurred image of life. The preparation and talking over, everyone at Ultralase had been brilliant, no turning back... worried? ...You bet!! Over in minutes, eye patches overnight. All prepared to be a real he-man about the pain, and somewhat embarrassed that there was nothing more uncomfortable than when, in my previous life, I'd left contact lens in too long. Saturday morning ... the acid test... take off the eye masks ... and for the first time in 20 years see across the room with perfect clarity!! My prize... that morning to watch the England Rugby Squad win the Rugby World Cup... and to be told by Ultralase that I had better than 20:20 vision. Thank you Ultralase, the last year has been like starting again, the freedom has been fabulous, in the mountains, climbing, scuba-diving, sport... life has a much greater focus now, and its all the better for it.
Chris Hawkes
There are no words that can begin to describe the feeling of total freedom that I now feel. After a lifetime of thick lenses and contacts I am now free. I never believed that with my prescription that I would ever be without specs and contacts. Life has just begun and its looking fantastically crystal clear! thankyou ultralase staff who were great. I have even taken my best friend to have her eyes corrected by ultralase, and I shall keep recommending them to everyone.
