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
Amanda
It's now been 6 months since my operation and I can honestly say I haven’t regretted it for one second. I found it to be a very quick and painless procedure that has left me with better than 20/20 vision. I had the operation in the afternoon went home and went to bed as my eyes were ‘tired’, the next morning I woke up to clear eye sight which has just kept on getting better. I can’t fault anyone at the Cambridge branch everyone was professional friendly and helpful. I can’t recommend it highly enough it’s wonderful not to have drawers full of glasses, contact lenses and prescription sunglasses. WISH I’D DONE IT YEARS AGO!
Richard Ambrose
Cambridge Branch. What can i say, everything so far has been top notch. I had my consultation carried out on the 11th December 2007 which was very thorough and efficient, great staff. My councellor Paul Carey talked me through the procedures as we went, very nice chap. The second part of the consultation was with the optometrist Mitesh Gandhi, again a very nice man who examined my eyes in further detail and explained the requirements and procedure in more depth and both guys answered any questions that i had. Booked my treatment that day for the following Monday (17th December). Day of treatment: It really was a doddle, the anticipation is worse than the procedure. I didn't have to wait long before i was seen to and everything seemed to flow extremely efficiently. The procedure itself only seemed to last about 5 or 6 minutes. My surgeon was Rodney Blumenfeld who again was a nice friendly guy, and all the staff nurses etc explained everything clearly and made me feel very calm and easy.At no time during the procedure did i feel any pain or discomfort it really was a breeze. In no time i was sitting in the patient room having all the necessary drops and dosages explained to me, after a post op check i was allowed to go on my merry way, vision was a bit clowdy but already an improvement. I got home and had a bit of a kip after about 4 hours i awoke and couldn't believe the difference it was fantastic, still no pain! The pain......the worst it got was really mild tenderness and that was it! I understand some people get a bit more pain but mine was negligible. I went for a post op check the following day and my vision was better than 20/20 i didn't even need sun glasses! The optometrist noticed that i had a slight bit of inflammation in one eye, so they asked me to increase the dosage of the anti-inflammatory and i had an extra check up 2 days later to make sure all was well,which it was, so its nice to see they are on the ball and committed to patient care. I have now had my weekly check and am just about to go for my monthly check, my vision is fantastic, even at night where i used to suffer glare, the vision is so much better and still improving, my main vision is better than 20/20 and i can nearly read all of the bottom line now :-) To summarise, it has been a marvelous experience and has improved not only my vision but also my confidence too. Would I recommend it ..... yes absolutely. If your eyes are suitable, go for it.There are inherent risks as with all operations but for me it was worth the very small risk. My only regret is, i wish i had done it sooner!
sajeda
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Carole Elizabeth Studholme
The pre-treatment assessments and eye examinations were very thorough. The actual laser procedure was painless and very quick - after effects being watery eyes but no pain. Eyesight improved within 24 hours. Aftercare very professional and caring, plenty of feedback and information about progress made. Thanks to everyone at Optical Express. CONSULTATION --- Cross street Manchester SURGERY --- Maxi Manchester
Diane Billows
Great treatment,wish i had done it years ago. Service and staff excellent would recommend it to anyone who`s fed up of wearing glasses. CONSULTATION -- Cross street Manchester. SURGERY -- Maxi Manchester
Diane Billows
Great treatment, wish i had it done it years ago. Service and staff excellent. Would recommend it to anyone who`s fed up of wearing glasses.
Michelle Walton
Having needed glasses for 15 years and worn contact lenses for 10 years it was time to look at surgery. Optical Express answered all questions and explained all the options available.I was nervous before hand but within 3 hours of surgery i could see objects i wouldn't of have seen before. By the next morning vision was perfect. I would recommend this to anyone needing glasses. I now have better than 20/20 vision.
Emma Stringer
BRILLIANT, Would advice anyone thinking about having it done to go ahead!
Sylvia Joy
Almost instant results (within a couple of hours), wish i`d had it done years ago. Its so nice not to have to reach for my specs as soon as i wake up. IT REALLY HAS CHANGED MY LIFE.
Steve Dawson
THE BEST THING I EVER DONE!
