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Optical Express

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1806 Reviews

Optical Express were simply brilliant. Everything from the warm welcome of the counselling staff (shreeya Mistry), consultation with Pretti Khakhar to the treatment with the surgeon was seamless. Throughout the process I felt tota ...Read more

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.

  1. Optical Express Laser Eye Surgery Review
  2. Prices
  3. Treatments
  4. The Verdict
  5. Surgeon Reviews
  6. 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 OverallClinic RatingCost RatingSurgeon RatingTreatments 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

optical express laser eye surgery prices

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 ProcedurePrice (per eye)Finance Options (per month)
LASEKFrom £595£49.50
(10 months on 0% APR, £100 deposit)
LASIKFrom £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 surgeryFrom £1,995£48.89
(for 36 months on 11.5% APR, £500 deposit)
Multifocal lens surgeryFrom £3,195£47.39
(for 72 months on 11.5% APR, £500 deposit)
Phakic IOLFrom £3,395£47.39
(for 72 months on 11.5% APR, £500 deposit)
YAGFrom £595N/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

laser eye surgery review 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:

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:

  1. Find the top clinic in seconds: Answer three questions to be matched with the leading eye clinic in your area
  2. 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)
  3. 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

6. Optical Express Reviews

RatingDate

04 Apr 2008

I had my consultation, surgery and after-care all done at the Inverness Store. I am very happy with the treatment I received with Optical Express although i had to be retreated in both eyes i do not regret getting the surgery done and would definitely recommend the procedure to anyone. My vision is amazing now and would not change a thing.

03 Apr 2008

I cannot recommend Optical Express and this treatment highly enough. I have worn contact lenses for 15 years (-5.50 prescription) and within a day of the procedure was at better than driving eyesight in my left eye and better than 20/20 in my right. The staff at Edinburgh (for my consultation) and after-care and Glasgow (for my surgery) were very friendly, re-assuring and professional. The amount of testing and in-depth examination was vey thorough. They explained the procedure to me and gave me all the information that I needed. The surgery itself was uncomfortable in parts and for 2 hours following it was somewhat painful, but then after a brief sleep, I woke up without pain and was able to watch tv without contacts for the first time in 15 years! The following day there was no problem and within a week I had better than 20/20 vision in both eyes. It has changed my life, and I have obviously been raving so much about it that my wife is now getting it done! The freedom to wake up in the morning and see perfectly is something I am still getting used to and only people with poor vision would really understand how life changing it would be. Even during long-haul flights my eyes have not dried out. I would recommend this to anybody and the way Optical Express looked after me, they would definitely be the providers to use. A huge thank you to David Carson at Optical Express, all the team at Edinburgh and Glasgow and surgeon Susanna Boytha.

31 Mar 2008
No Rating

I have had the consultation and can actually have the £395 per eye! I have looked through the comments but can't find anyone that states they've had their surgery done in Newcastle....please let me know if you have - what the place is like etc.. One questions - I've been reading about the making of the flap - is it worth paying the extra £300 per eye to have the laser cut it, mechanical sounds very off-putting.

29 Mar 2008

I had my consultation, treatment and after-care all done at the Inverness Store. Very little discomfort after my treatment and improvement with my vision within a couple of days of treatment. Vision continued to improve over the following weeks. I would recommend this treatment for everyone.

28 Mar 2008

I had my consultation, treatment and after-care at the Inverness store. From the very first phone call right through to my discharge everything was excellent. Good information and results and would recommend the procedure to everyone. It was money well spent and wish i had done it years ago.

28 Mar 2008

It was worth every penny it cost, and was totally painless! I did not believe how much it would change my life for the better but it truly has. Although i only had a small prescription, the feeling to having to rely on glasses is never a good one; the fact now is that i don't!!! It really is amazing, i would recommend it to everyone. The staff were very helpful, with special regards for Donna and Karen without whom it would not have been as pleasurable an experience! Thank you Optical Express.

27 Mar 2008

Had treatment on 26 March and very happy with results so far. Can see very well, enough to drive already after 48 hours. Have slight inflammation in left eye so am attending clinic daily as they want to keep a check on it. No other problems. Found the clinic to be very helpful.

27 Mar 2008

Everything was done without problems and the opticians were professional in their manner. My eyesight is now very sharp, just like it used to be before it suddenly deteriorated about 2-3 years before the surgery. I have no regrets about going ahead with the procedure, and I would advise anyone that can afford it to do so.

27 Mar 2008

I was very nervous about having surgery, but the staff were all reassuring, particularly Sue who had the surgery herself a few years ago and Gordon, whose own daughter had surgery recently. Even when I went for my wavescan a few days before surgery I was impressed with the courtesy shown by the staff in Glasgow and it was great to meet the other patients who had all been treated and were ecstatic about the results. In short, it was FANTASTIC and I wish I'd done it years ago! Consultation in Stirling with Sue and Gordon Surgery in Glasgow with Susanna Boytha

27 Mar 2008

I had my consultation.... The most amazing thing I have ever done! Can't believe the change, better than 20/20 vision!!! I would recommend it to everyone- staff were fantastic and really made me feel at ease, fantastic! Get it done!!!


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