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
Jarrod Sheppard
I had my procedure performed at the Newcastle clinic, by Mr Lorrimar Esselaar on the 12th December 2008 for short sight. Overall the experience with Optical Express has been fantastic, in terms of results. However there was an admin mix-up in terms of the treatment location, I was sent the wrong details and turned up to the wrong clinic. Apart from this the service has been first class. Coming from a science background I assumed I would be fine, however once in treatment I became very nervous and was shaking during the operation. The staff where great and calmed me down. Two days on and my eyes feel fine, and I am able to drive and watch TV without my glasses. Truly it is the best thing I have done to date. I would honestly advise anyone considering this treatment to go for it. It has changed my life.
linda muir
what a difference its fantastic been wearing glasses for 20 years and this is my first day without them thanks to the staff they were great put you at ease
james slevin
Would recommend surgery to everyone, really impressed with the results.
Irene Conning
My surgery was carried out at Optical Express - Dundee - (Laser Consultation & Surgery Clinic) 96 High Street Dundee DD1 1SD The surgeon who completed my operation was Susanna Boytha both she and her team looked after me extremely well putting me at ease from the start. I would also like to thank the staff at the Dundee High street branch for all their help. My operation has been a complete success and the after care has been excellent. I would recommend this procedure to anyone who may be considering it,
Greg Lambert
Excellent service received at Optical Express in both St Albans and Cambridge where I had the treatment. The staff at Cambridge on the day of my op were really nice and very welcoming. The surgeon Stephan Klopper was excellent. The actual procedure was abit uncomfortable but considering I was in the theatre room for less than 15 mins it's over in no time. After the op and the anesethetic had worn off it was quite painful but after 3 hours sleep and some strong pain killers I felt alot better and the pain had gone. The next day I had my follow up appointment at St Albans where they confirmed my vision was now better than 20/20. Previously I had been -1.50 and -1.75 short sighted. I would recommend Optical Express to anyone considering treatment. The price I paid was half that quoted by both Ultralase and Optimax.
Louise
I've had worse hairdresser appointments than laser surgery, honestly it was the most bizarre experiance ever, I felt nothing during the surgery and afterwards just 2 hours worth of irritiation like an eyelash was caught in my eye and after the 2 hours i had the best vision of my life!!!! Colours look different to me now they are so much brighter, and i can put my make up on properly and not look like a drag queen !!! I recommend this to absolutly anyone, don't be put off by anything it's fantastic !!!!!!!
Alison Daisley
My prescription was Long sighted with astigmatism R +3.50 sph -2.50 cyl ,180 axis L +3.50 sph -2.25cyl ,170 axis, probably not the easiest to treat. Optical Express were fantastic and put me at ease at all stages.I had surgery at Silverburn Glasgow by MR Sanjay Mantry on the 29/11/08 . He was very helpful explained the procedure and answered any questions/ worries that i had. The procedure itself was really nothing to worry about.The waiting beforehand was much worse. I am so pleased with the results already as when you have long sight it can take longer for your eyesight to settle.Put it this way i could never have typed this in without my glasses! and it's only been 2 days since i had it done.
janice connor
My initial checks could have been better. I was not happy with lack of privacy. In the shop, I was not warned that I was in a high risk group and would probably need treating again. Then I went to the Optical Express clinic. It was a different world. They were excellent Mr Lorimar Essellaar and his team where first class. I'm Very pleased with my surgery and results so far. I was told after 24 hours my site was good enough to drive without my specs. It is amazing. I can see the clock and read without spec
Donna Sutherland
Totally life-changing. Everyone at all the clinics were super-friendly and reassuring. Treatment a bit nerve-wrecking but everyone goes out of their way to put you at ease. Wonderful experience. My vision is now better than 20:20 and I am absolutely delighted with everything.
Marcus
I had surgery at Cribbs Causeway on 04/11/08 and all my consultations and post-ops have been at Bournemouth. The Bournemouth staff have been excellent, very helpful and informative. I was very disappointed with Cribbs Causeway as we (all the patients) were basically sat in the waiting room for 2 hours with no-one telling us what was going on. The actual surgery took about 7 minutes and was easy and painless. As we were about to have a major operation on our eyes and had paid alot of money for the surgery, i would have liked the staff to keep us informed. As for my eyes - The left eye was absolutely perfect the next day and still is 2 weeks later. The right eye is still slightly blurred. My optician says its nothing to worry about and it will be perfect vision soon but as each day goes by with no improvement I have my doubts. I would give Bournemouth 5 out of 5 and Cribbs Causeway 1 out of 5. I will update my comments in a few weeks when I hope and pray that i can report that both eyes are perfect!
