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
Alexis McFaul
I had the Lasek surgery in July, in the Belfast clinic and would highly recommend it to anyone. All the staff at the clinic were so professional and made me feel very at ease. If you are thinking about it please do go for a consultation as it will change your life and you will wish you had it done years ago.
Mark
I had Lasik yesterday afternoon at Shaftesbury Avenue (London). So far I am delighted with the results. The procedure was totally painless and over in a few minutes. I had my first aftercare appointment this morning and now have better than 20/20 vision. I am delighted. I enjoyed chatting to the other patients who had just received their treatment and those about to go in. I hope their operations was as successful as mine.
Karen Kennedy
I was very excited at having my treatment. The service from all the staff from consultation through to surgery was excellent. I am amazed that after 48 hours I can see so well with no side effects. Well done M.K. Optical Express.
Carol
Lasek 24.08.2005 Manchester Surgeon Mr Aziz What can I say but IT'S FANTASTIC, MAGIC. From not being able to see the first letter on the eye chart I can now read the last line at the bottom. The procedure is totally painless and very quick only 51 seconds for my right eye and 45 for the left. You can however smell the burning a bit like hair burning. Having said the above I have to admit I was terrified my whole body was shaking lying on the bed, but there was absolutly no need to have been. The laser is an orange colour and I remember thinking it looked like a sunflower, only an noisy one. Mr Aziz and the staff were fantastic keeping me informed all through as to what was happening and what they were going to do next. I was told that I would need reading glasses after as my age is almost 50, but I don't and I was not light sensitive afterwards or even had dry eye. Only down side I had was a reaction to the bandage lenses so they were removed early and every thing was fine after that. I knew from previous experience that I had a reaction with night and day contact lenses so Mr Aziz got me a different make to the one they usually use, unfortunately this make did the same. I am so pleased and still can't get over being able to see everything, my sight is so much clearer than what it was even with contact lenses in. Thank You Mr Aziz and staff xx
Russel Howes
Very professional, reasonable price. Had the operation over 5 weeks now and have perfect vision being able to the smallest letters on the board (with ease).
John R Rogers
I was impressed by the initial consultation undertaken Alain Du Chemim. It was a most thorough examination I have ever had. The explanation of the procedure was excellent. I was amazed at the level of understanding of all the procedures that was demonstrated by all the staff at the Manchester Clinic. I decided on the LASIK procedure and after the excellent counselling consultation that was provided I attended for treatment completely reassured. Further tests were undertaken on the day prior to treatment commencement. My surgeon was Mr. Aziz who once again explained the procedure and what to expect. I entered the Laser Room completely relaxed. The staff were excellent and the procedure was simplicity itself. No pain whatsoever, and very little discomfort throughout the whole procedure that took only 15 minutes. My partner was able to watch the procedure on a TV monitor and was truly amazed. On returning to the waiting area I was very light sensitive but was able to see doors signs immediately. Once outside I was extremely light sensitive and my partner had to lead me along the streets to the station. Upon returning home I slept for 4 hours and awoke to near perfect vision with no discomfort. I returned to the clinic the next day and was again given a thorough examination by Alain. Here I am 6 day’s after the procedure great vision for both distance and reading and would recommend the treatment and this clinic to everyone. My thanks to all of the staff!
Allan Carr
From start to finish the process was both seamless and professional. My surgeon, Susanna Boytha, gave me the feeling I could not have been in more capable hands. To say that this has been life changing wouldn't be over stating the facts. Truly first class service.
Simon Kempston
Fantastic experience. I was really worried about the operation, but it really is pain free and the staff at the clinic were brilliant. highly recommended!!
Danielle
I had laser eye surgery on the 27th of October in Optical Express in Belfast. My vision is now perfect, it was over so quickly and all the staff were very helpful and friendly. I would recommend this surgery to everyone I don’t know why i never had it done sooner.
Marie-Louise Millar
I had my Lasik done at the Manchester branch of Optical Express and found all the staff including the reception staff, opticians, nurses and consultant to be fantastic from start to finish. The aftercare is thorough and the clinic make you feel completely looked after. And on top of them making the experience pleasant and relaxed, i now have perfect vision! I would recommend to anyone thinking of having laser eye surgery to give them a call.
