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
John Yates
I consider myself EXTREMELY fortunate with the results that I have had. I was approx. -8.5 right eye and -4.75 left eye with high astigmatism in my right eye. After 7 months my left eye is now perfect, better than 20/20 and my right eye is marginally worse as I still have slight astigmatism. Considering some of the side effects I could have had (I did experience halo effect around headlights and street lights) I have had NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER. I do have some reservations about my vision in poor light...but doesn't everyone?!?!? I was particularly fastidious when it came to the aftercare treatment e.g. patches and glasses for two weeks afterwards.
Ken Ireland
Without doubt the best money I've spent in recent years, (even better than the belated wedding anniversary present for my wife). Ultralase provided an efficient professional and friendly service which put me totally at ease from initial consultation through the procedure, and final check-ups. I now enjoy better than 20/20 vision.
Peter Farr
After having the treatment, I was very happy with the result and all the staff at Ultralase St Albans. A year after the treatment and still perfect eyesight. Fantastic!
Johanna Caren
For someone who could not even see the LCD clock on the bedside cabinet even when her face was only two inches away I can not sing the praises of Lasik treatment enough. As a keen sports person I can now run without my glasses streaming up and slipping down my nose, swim without banging into the person swimming in the same lane as me, and lots more if I went on you would probably fall asleep. The staff at Ultralase were fantastic they explained everthing in as much detail as I requested, they were unbelivably supportive on day of my treatment and kept me calm. The thing I most remember is when I sat up on the bed after the treatment and could see the clock on the wall, before the treatment I wouldnt have been able to see the wall never mind the clock, and as I sat in waiting room after the treatment I was watching the cars pass the windows slowly becoming more and more clear. It has been a year and a half since my treatment and I still cant believe I can see and still test each of my eyes on parked car number plates to check my eyes, sad isnt it, I have sung the praises of Ultralase to all my friends who were glasses or len's and someof them have progressed on to have treatment, a big thankyou to everyone at Ultralase Chester.
Michael Grimley
This was both the most rewarding thing I have ever done (for myself) and at the same time the wierdest. Quite anxious at the outset the staff were very calming and proffessional which put me at ease. The procedure was so easy and comfortable that I wondered at the end what I had been worried about. The aftercare was spot on, any problems or questions were quickly answered. 16 months on and I am still getting used to being able to see perfectly - it is amazing and I would recommend it to anybody I thought it would benefit. The most rewarding thing that I never considered is being able to see everything my baby daughter does, wherever we are or whatever we are doing.
Phillip Greenwell
Its been 18 months since I had my eyes 'done'. The change to my life has been amazing. Never particularly confident, the response from other people has been surprising, very encouraging. I do feel like a new person. I started University 5 months after the operation and I have experienced a whole new outlook on life. The old me is dead and buried, watch out world!
Adam Donovan
I had wavefront lasek surgery in July and Ultralase told me I would particularly benefit as I had such short sight and astigmatism. How right they were! Although my recovery from treatment has been gradual its been well worth it.The aftercare is really good. When I last had a checkup I was told I had better than 20/20 vision; at work I get asked to read all the small print! My eyes no longer get tired and sore and I dont suffer as many headaches as I had before treatment. I keeping singing the song:- "I can see clearly now the rain has gone. I can see all the obstacles in my way....."!! I did not have the treatment done for vanity reasons, but because the nhs could not provide a solution for me. I felt that laser surgery was the only option left to me but this was not supported by doctors. Ultralase helped me make my mind up. I would certainly recommend it to anyone who gets discomfort as a result of eye problems.
Hannah
Everyone with poor eyesight should have it. Why pay for and wear contact lenses or glasses when you can go without? The best present to myself in my lifetime - my sight back after 17 years without it. I love it. Waking up with sight, sight in the shower, sight in the rain, sight in the middle of the night. Go on, you'll never regret it. Just 3 minutes per eye, 10 minutes rest, then home and you can see in a few hours... waking up the next morning with sight. I had Ultralasik plus, with wavefront, because I have a think cornea and so had minimal taken. I also have small eyes, which was uncomfortable whilst they found the correct size apparatus for my eyes, but once they had, it was over in minutes. A little discomfort is always going to be outweighed by the benefits of vision. I really can't fault it. They were wonderful and it was trouble free.
Anshu Shields
It's a modern day miracle!!! i had the treatment at 4pm and by 9am the next day i had perfect vision. After wearing glasses for 20 years and struggling with cleaning contact lenses in tents at festivals, i am amazed at the freedom i now have. I still wake up some mornings and go to put my glasses on and then realise i dont have too! i have never been happy wearing glasses so it's also a great confidence booster. The staff at the Ultralase clinic have been brilliant and extremely helpful at all times. I am constantly recommending the treatment to anyone that asks, as it offers so much freedom. Thank You Ultralase!!!
Rob Whitehouse
Words cannot express the difference to my life after receiving treaatment from Ultralase. It is like being reborn. I have concidered lazer treatment for the last 12 years but have continued to struggle with contact lenses and glasses. When you calculate the money I have spent on both of these, the cost of lazer treatment pales into insignificance. Just being able to go swimming and still be able to find my children is one of the many changes to my life. Although the experience of knowing exactly what was happening when, undergoing the treatment, was probibly the most horific moment of my life, It was in fact painless and I found the staff to be profesional, curtious and unreproachable.
