Optegra is a leading provider of laser eye surgery and lens replacement surgery in the UK, and often receives independent five-star reviews from its customers. You can choose from 30 Optegra clinics dotted around the UK, each one equipped with advanced technology, whilst keeping your vision correction costs in check.
So, what makes Optegra special? Optegra specialises solely in eyes, so you can feel safe in the hands of ophthalmic experts (not cosmetic surgeons). What’s more, its 155 eye consultants are hugely experienced, having corrected the sight of over one billion eyes to date.
Who doesn’t like Optegra? Based on our reviews, a few patients have been disappointed with the level of customer service at Optegra – and recent government inspectors weren’t impressed by the safety standards of the hospital.
Based on over 100 real customer reviews, independent reports from the CQC, and objective research, here is how Optegra fares for its clinic, costs, treatments and surgeons:
| Optegra Rating Overall | Clinic Rating | Cost Rating | Surgeon Rating | Treatments Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (4.1 out of 5) | (4.4 out of 5) | (3.7 out of 5) | (4.4 out of 5) | (4.2 out of 5) |
- Optegra Review
- Clinic Rating
- Optegra Prices
- Treatments
- Optegra Surgeons
- The Verdict
- Surgeon Reviews
- 119 Patient Reviews
1. Optegra Review
(4.1 out of 5)
“I now have perfect vision. I was most impressed with the professionalism and care that I received from all the staff at Optegra.” – Rachel Whitlam
Optegra has an overall five-star customer rating, based on nearly 9,000 independent reviews on Lasik Eyes since 2002. Former eye surgery patients reserve the most praise for the clinic’s attentive staff, quality lenses, and value for money. That’s right Optegra prices are hard to beat in the UK.
But beware – the CQC (Care Quality Commission) rates Optegra London as requiring improvement. Although the staff are caring, inspectors found the clinic missed the bar on safety standards (such as providing sufficient information leaflets), and lacks effective leadership.
Pros: Experts in lens replacement surgery, eye specialists since 1804, fixed prices, 0% finance options, affordable eye surgery
Cons: Poor CQC rating, hit-and-miss customer service
☝ Compare clinics: See if there are any other top-rated clinics near you, and use our simple tool to receive a personalised quote – as well as free eye tests worth £800!
2. Clinic Rating
“After scrabbling for glasses on waking every day since I was 4 years old, I finally have freedom! Optegra has first class care and facilities – highly recommended.” – Dorothea Heath
(4.4 out of 5)
Optegra has a range of eye hospitals and clinics nationwide that vary in standards. The most recent reports from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated Optegra’s clinics in Birmingham, Surrey and Yorkshire as “good”, but the London, Manchester and Whiteley branches “require improvement”.
Optegra stands out for opening its doors: it hosts regular open evenings, where prospective patients can meet consultants, ask questions about the procedure, and take a tour of a specialist eye hospital.
Technology and equipment
Optegra works with world-class manufacturers and suppliers of ophthalmic equipment and instruments.
It also oversees Optegra Eye Sciences, a separate non-profit research division dedicated to the development of eye sciences and advocating the latest innovations in eye care.
3. Optegra Prices
(3.7 out of 5)
Optegra eye surgery prices range between £1,795 and £3,495 per eye, depending on the type of surgery you require, the lens you choose, and the experience of the surgeon. The initial consultation is free, as with many eye clinics.
The cost of eye surgery at Optegra includes your consultation, aftercare, and treatment plan (including lenses if you opt for refractive lens exchange (RLE) surgery).
Optegra’s prices can vary slightly from clinic to clinic, with London costing up to 10% more for refractive treatment. That’s for cover the higher overheads at the capital, but you can also look forward to getting slightly more experienced surgeons for your buck.
Here is a full break-down of costs for the most popular treatments at Optegra:
| Treatment | Cost (per eye) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| LASIK / LASEK | £1,795 | The most common laser eye surgery. |
| SMILE | £2,495 | More complex laser eye surgery. |
| Lens Replacement | £3,495 | Cataract treatment. |
| ICL (Implantable Contact Lenses) | £3,495 | Permanent contact lenses. |
| Presbyond | £2,495 | Treatment for presbyopia (long-sightedness). |
These prices are on par with the average cost of laser eye and lens replacement surgery in the UK. Some clinics like Optical Express are less pricey, while private eye hospitals such as Moorfields can charge twice as much as Optegra.
The good? Pay monthly finance options are available, meaning you can get lens replacement surgery for £131.06 a month over 12 months – and if you pay the full cost back within 12 months, it’s interest free.
The bad? Surgery at Optegra’s central London clinic costs around £100 extra for most treatments.
4. Treatments Offered
(4.2 out of 5)
Optegra offers a wide range of laser eye treatments, from laser eye surgery to lens replacement surgery (including cataract surgery), which you can see reviewed below. The main treatments it offers are:
- LASIK and LASEK surgery
- Lens replacement surgery
- Cataract surgery or Refractive Lens Exchange
- Implantable contact lenses
- Presbyopia surgery
Optegra offers Wavefront LASIK and LASEK surgery. This procedure is more advanced than traditional treatments – it treats every eye as individually as a fingerprint, so your treatment will be tailored to you.
The equivalent of lens replacement surgery at Optegra is called Clairvu, which promises the highest standard of refractive lens exchange (RLE). That said, our eye experts could not find any real difference between Optegra’s lens treatment and that of its rivals.
5. Optegra Surgeons
“Mr Morris explained the procedure so clearly, and gave me such confidence throughout.” – Mrs Gillian Fawkes
(4.4 out of 5)
Optegra only hires Fellows of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCO) who are experienced in hundreds of eye surgeries. Each consultant specialises in an area of laser eye or lens replacement surgery, so you can expect an expert in their field, and the right treatment for you personally.
Generally, surgeons receive five-star ratings from previous patients. Mr Robert J. Morris is one of Optegra’s longest standing ophthalmologists – his reviews are good, but he doesn’t quite enjoy as few complaints as surgeons at other clinics.
Optegra’s surgeons are reliable for being:
- NHS trained
- RCOphth approved
- Experienced (5 years or more)
6. The Verdict
I was a little skeptical at first, and thought that at best it would be marginally better than wearing contact lenses – the reality is radically improved sight, comfort, and excellent service. – John Viney
(4.0 out of 5)
Most patients we spoke to had a positive experience with Optegra, and its reputation for providing stress-free surgery secures a space on the 10 best places for laser eye surgery in London and makes the top five laser eye clinics in Manchester.
However, the inadequate rating from independent inspectors just knocks this clinic off the top spot on our list of the best laser eye surgery clinics in the UK.
So, is Optegra 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 closer to going glasses free:
- 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 are eligible for 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 and personalised quote (with no obligation)
☛ Click here to find the best clinic near you, and receive your very own tailored quote.
7. Surgeon Reviews
8. Optegra Customer Reviews
Mrs Lydia Shillitoe
When I visited my optician for the regular glaucoma test she did my eye test and said she had not seen my lenses before. She was very impressed and said “You wouldn’t get those on the NHS”. Aftercare could be better, but overall a good experience.
John Harris
Recently I had a cataract operation at the Optegra eye hospital in Guildford. I would like to say that I am very happy with the results. The care I received from everyone was just excellent.
Valerie Underwood
I had a cataract operation at Optegra at 7.40am and was home by 10.30am. Throughout those hours I remember the best of care, consideration and 'you are special' treatment with no pain or even discomfort, I can say it was the best ever investment in the future. My eyesight is so precious and glasses are going to the Third World - Thanks Miss Gilvarry!
Peter jones
Good clinical treatment . Otherwise rubbish . Do not expect good treatment from the front office they are useless . If the managers don’t sort out their service they will suffer losing patients. This company is chasing money not care of patients.
Ingrid Van Wagner
I have waited several months before reviewing my treatment as I wanted to digest the whole treatment.
From the beginning until today I feel I had a very positive experience. The team around Ali Mearza were kind and competent.
Ali Mearza exudes confidence and is in complete control. He knows exactly how to usher one through the whole experience. At all times I felt I was in very able hands. He is very experienced.
I will definitely give his name to my friends when the time comes for them to be seen for problems related to their eyes.
G. P Thomas
Giving consent to any surgeon, even one so highly qualified, experienced and recommended, to ‘chop’ into one’s eyeball is rather daunting; but the courtesy, care and competence of all the personnel at Optegra and their expert handling of start-of-the-art equipment at the pre-operative assessment convinced me that my sight was in safe hands, and that I could face the two Clarivu procedures with total confidence. As a physicist I knew what the books said about the effects of Cataracts on the transmission and scattering of light, but to personally experience the restoration of visual activity, true colour perception and wide peripheral vision was amazing.
Victoria Elvin
The service was impeccable, the staff are all so welcoming and helpful. Dr Rob Morris is one of the best and nicest surgeons I have ever met. I am thrilled and marvelled by the results. Thank you.
Dr J.M. Fromson
Impressed with the professional approach – unlike one of their competitors there was no hard sell and provide treatment which would have been unsuccessful in treating my condition. Admired their honesty.
Janet Botley
I feel that I have been re-born I can see again with perfect vision - colours are colours again - Wonderful!
Cyra Parkes
I have been very pleased with the results of my eye surgery and the exceptional level of care that I received before, during and after surgery. Knowing I could contact Optegra at anytime and come and see Mr Morris was very reassuring as was his willingness to listen and answer my questions. I would highly recommend Mr Morris and his team to anyone considering Laser eye surgery.
