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.
5. Optical Express Surgeons
Mr Mehul Damani
MBBS, MS, DOMS, DNB, FRCS
Mr Luca Antico
MD
Mr Manek Patel
MD, RCOph
Mr Dimitri Kazakos
MD, MRCOphth
Dr Mohammed Shabbar Kazmi
MBBS, FRCS(Opth)
Mr Jonathan Carr
MD MA(Cantab) FRCOphth
Doctor Jan Venter
MD
Mr Khalid Khan
MBBS FRCS FRCOphth
Mr Jacobus Pauw
MBChB MMedOphth FCSOphth
Mr Sanjay Mantry
FRCOphth FRCS FRCS
Mr Andre Oberholster
MBChb MMedOphth
Mr Stefan Klopper
MBChB FCS
Mr Waseem Aziz
MB ChB FRCS
Mr Alex George
FRCOphth, FRCS MS, DOMS, DNB
6. Optical Express Reviews
Nicola Green
I had Lasik treatment on 11 March 2005. Very nervous indeed!! However, the procedure was painless and after a 4 hour rest I could see and read car registration numbers!!! It was a totally unreal experience!! Well impressed and thank you Dr Jain!!!
paula
I had Lasek on the 23rd Feb didn't get any pain I didn't even need painkillers that were given for my eyes a bit uncomfortable for a few days but when lenses came out it was a huge improvement haven't looked back and have recommended this to lots of people already had surgery in Bristol and aftercare in Cardiff both places very good.
Christine Behr
I had LASIK surgery on 11th March 2005 at Optical Express in Amsterdam with Mr. Aziz's Team and I couldn't be more pleased with my new vision ! It was a birthday present to myself (born in 1970) and after 20 years of wearing glasses / contactlenses with over the past 5 years having a stablized vision of -7,00D on the right eye and -7,25D on the left eye, it is like a miracle for me not to need contacts any more. Never had real problems with wearing (one-day) contacts every day, but this is so much better ! Still can not believe that it is real and that I don't have to put my lenses in to see anything in the morning. Sometimes just close my eyes to open them right afterwards and recognize that I still have "Adler-Augen" as this free vision seems so unbelievable and amazing to me. Directly after surgery I already was able to read the subtitles on the TV screen at the reception of Optical Express, but strictly followed the advise to close my eyes for the next couple of hours and rest. Undergoing surgery was itself of course a bit exciting, but during the LASIK procedure the worse discomfort was the pressure on the eyes when they created the flap, which took only seconds. The laser treatment afterwards took exacly 55 seconds on each eye and the nurse Leslie was so kind to hold all the time my hand (Thank you !), which relaxed me a lot. After surgery my eyes felt uncomfortable (burning) and I cried a lot of tears for about 1 hour, but that was all. Next day for the check-up proved what I already thought: Vision was better than ever, I could even read the 1.5 line below which was "extremely good" according to Alain, my Optometrist all way through. As I have no doubt that this is stable (will have the 1-week after care check up on Friday, 18th March) I already recommended this clinic to my brother who wants to do it in April if he is suitable. I really can recommend it to everyone who is suitable, it makes such a difference ! So thanks to all of this great team and a special thanks to Sonja who got me an appointment on short notice in the eye clinic in Amsterdam, which was necessary because the first LASIK appointments was already on Tuesday last week, but Mr. Aziz prefered to get another opinion due to bit of weakness in the Retina. Luckily after all nothing to have been worried about, just a prove of the excellent experience and treatment by Mr. Aziz before surgery.
Karl Clayton
Had LASIK treatment on both my eyes yesterday 15th March.I had quite a strong prescription around -5.75 in both eyes.Mr Aziz performed the procedure at the Minshull Street, Manchester clinic. I would like to say that the way I was treated from initial consultation to the actual surgery was first class and I would recommend that everyone who is suitable for treatment has the procedure . It is only early days yet but after 24Hrs I am not experiencing any discomfort and have better than driving test standard vision already. Thanks to Mr Aziz and the whole team for changing my life.
david power
Today is 18-03-05. Had surgery 17-03-05.I was very short sighted but did not wear glasses. I went for the mono treatment. One eye highly treated for short sightness, the other was treated slightly to make sure that I could read. I now enjoy sharp vision for most things. I also can read the paper with no problem. I do not have 20 20 vision. However this suits may very well. Very Happy Dave Power
NICOLA WILLIAMS
My sister, mum and i all got it done the same day. The staff were excellent and all very helpful. We're only sorry we didn't get it done sooner. Thank you for opening our eyes to the world.
Orlagh Mullan
Really nice staff, which helped me relax. Would recommend this service through Optical Express to anyone. Very happy with the results.I had my lasik surgery at the belfast clinic 18/03/2005
Linda Holmes
I can't thank ALL the staff at the Glasgow clinic enough for being so friendly, helpful & caring. You guys do such a brilliant job! I had lasik surgery on Wednesday 16th March 2005. The op itself ISN'T pleasant but it's nowhere near as bad as I had anticipated. No pain was felt whatsoever, the worst thing was the tension headache I had before, during & after the op. For the first 5 hours afterwards I found it really difficult to keep my eyes open, it was much more comfortable just to keep them closed. My eyes were streaming alot. I went home & rested in a dark room for 3 hours, & when I got up (5 hours after the op) my eyes were so much better. & have improved all the time since. I haven't had any problems, so far anyway! The only bad thing really is tasting the eye drops, YUK!! But my sight is absolutely fantastic. No regrets whatsoever! BRILLIANT!!
Lisa Mansell
Had laser surgery at Milton Keynes Eye Clinic in December 2004 - absolutely amazing! In surgery for only 20 minutes, back home in 2 hours - 20/20 vision the next day! My eyesight was really bad - -9 in my right eye and -7 in my left eye...3 months later and my right eye is 20/20 and my left is even better! Never had any problems, no pain during or after surgery, and only very mild discomfort for about an hour after surgery. Don't wait any longer - go for it, and you will never regret it. Also, huge thanks to everyone at the MK clinic - they are all so friendly and competent - what a fantastic experience!
david kelleher
very helpful and friendly staff very professional and reasonably priced i have recommended u 2 friends sincerely David
