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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

19 Jul 2006

fantastic, I wish I had it done years ago.great aftercare. Nottingham Listergate clinic.

21 Jul 2006

Consultation at Eastcheap, treatment at Shaftesbury Avenue. - Cant believe I waited so long ! Surgery went fine, was suprised how quick it was all over. Amazed I could see after 1/2 hour although my eyes were very watery and a bit sore which was what I expected. Daay after surgery check-up, had 20/20 vision, so very pleased. All in all it was the best money I've spent in a while, Staff were great and I cant tell you how impressed I am ! THANKS !

18 Jul 2006

I was a little nervous about surgery, but it was absolutely PAINLESS and very quick. The staff at both Glasgow and Inverness were very friendly and understanding. I'll definitely be recommending it to all my friends.

20 Jul 2006

I felt nervous before the surgery but these nerves were ill founded as the surgery went smooth and pain free. Next few days my eyes felt a little gritty but that soon disappeared and my eyesight gradually got better. A week on and I can see better that ever before. Staff were also brilliant - great support throughout, thanks. Belfast

19 Jul 2006

Manchester Clinic Surgeon, Mr Waseem Aziz Hi, just had lasik laser eye surgery this morning, (11.00am 18th July) and i can see a difference already. The surgery itself is nothing to worry about. I had read all the reviews and comments on this site, so I was prepared for everything. The only thing that I was worried about, is that I got told that I had large pupils, so had to sign a consent form, (making sure that I know that I could be prone to haloes and glares)that was a bit of a nervous thought, but oh well, I had already come this far so I went on. The staff are really friendly and talked me through the whole procedure, I felt sorry for the nurse, who held my hand throughout, but I suppose that's what she's there for!!!. Came home at midday and went straight to bed, (didn't have an option, my eyes kept closing, just didn't want to stay open) Woke up around 4.00pm and I could see straight away. It's brilliant. All i can say is that I wished I had done it years ago. Going tomorrow for my after surgery check-up, but they don't have to tell me anything, I already know.

19 Jul 2006

Consultation store = Inverness Surgery store = Glasgow EC BEST THING EVER!! No more horrible glasses. Vision is great. Staff at both Inverness and Glasgow are 1st rate. Dave in Glasgow was very re-assuring and Susie in Inverness is excellent - Thank you all.

19 Jul 2006

Had my Lasik wavefront treatment on Monday the 17th at Newcastle eye test result next day 20/20 vision. Today Wednesday the 19th back at work no discomfort vision fantastic. Can not fault the staff who were very professional and pleasant,after wearing glasses/contact lenses for 20 years i would recommend the treatment/company to anyone.

20 Jul 2006

Surgery 18th July 2006 Manchester Just to keep you guys informed, went yesterday for my check-up, only to be told that I have got 20:20 vision and I am higher than driving standard. Absolutely fantastic. DON;T HESTITATE JUST GO FOR IT.

21 Jul 2006

Absolutely superb from start to finish. Procedure and options were well explained. The procedure itself was very quick and painless. I would strongly recommend this to anyone & would like to thank all the staff at Southampton West quay for all their attentions. One complaint...I keep trying to take my glasses off at night....then realise I dont have them anymore....maybe a cure for this is needed........I now have better than 20/20 vision...what more can you say????

26 Jul 2006

1st. day check up Feels like I am wearing contact lenses at the moment, sight not 100% but more like 80%. The time for next appointment (1 week) I anticipate 95% - 100% recovery and great vision. Operation was painful for about 5 minutes but was better after a few drops. Got 20/20 vision now and I know its going to improve during this week. Thank you. Great Service. No regrets money well spent. Shaftesbury Avenue / July 2006


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