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
Allen Bretao
Best money i ever spent. After 30 years of contact lenses, this was a godsend given that i hate wearing spectacles. The suction ring was uncomfortable but bearable, whole operation was about 10 minutes 2 - 3 hours of discomfort following some aching and smarting, but slept and dozed through this. After some grittiness for 3 - 4 days. ( similar to wearing lenses for the first time) CONSULTATION Bluewater SURGERY SHAFTSBURY
Christina Bretao
Was very nervous but had absolutely nothing to worry about. Consultants and surgeon were excellent. Was pain free and all over in 15 minutes, no unpleasant pain afterwards, vision excellent straight away. Worth every penny and would recommend it to anyone. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!. CONSULTATION : Bluewater SURGERY: Shaftsbury
carrie yates
The only question i have is WHY didn't i have this done years ago. Was so easy, 3 hours of slight discomfort and i can see better than when i was 18! FANTASTIC! Consultation: Manchester - Cross Street Surgery: Maxi Manchester
Paul Butterworth
I didn't have surgery even though they'd done all the assessments, found my suitable, and I wanted it. They required a sign-off letter from my detached-retina surgeon, which turned out to be hard to obtain as I'd never been signed off 11 years previously (hospital admin. mix-up). I was examined again by the hospital where I'd initially had the retinal surgery and was provided a letter which, understandably, was along the lines of "no problems but we can't be responsible for someone else's surgery". I passed this letter on to Optical Express and waited with bated breath. Despite my phone chase-ups they never came back to me. I'd apparently ceased to exist. I've subsequently tried Ultralase (currently booked for surgery) which is more expensive but they couldn't understand why I'd not been examined by Optical Express's surgeon, with a decision to proceed (or not) based on his technical expertise. Also pretty unhappy that they were and still are advertising surgery from £395/eye, which would only be the case if the correction was trivial/unnecessary. My wife, by contrast, did have the Optical Express surgery - cost approx. £2,300 - and is very happy with the results, two years on.
catherine carey
I've been really impressed with the whole procedure - from the very first consultation to my last check up, I have experienced nothing but a friendly and helpful service. The results have been amazing and i love not having to wear my glasses or contacts! I am very grateful to all at optical express + would def recommend it!! Consultation maxi manchester surgery maxi manchester.
Ian Walker
I was apprehensive about treatment even on the day, as had previously been turned down by Ultralase. 2 & 1/2 hour wait seemed like forever, but treatment was over and done with in 10 minutes. Actual operation didn't hurt, but eyes felt like I'd been peeling onions for about 3 hours afterwards, and just closed eyes on way home on train. Woke up next morning and vision was already good, and by lunchtime it was virtually 100%. Used the eye drops for 7 days, and now have better than 20-20 vision, and just use the comfort eye drops 1st thing when I wake up. Despite the expense it is worth every penny. Thankyou to Tom Materman and everybody at Bristol.
Lynn Jordan
I am so pleased with the results. Never expecting such a painless procedure. The care and attention is excellent both by staff and surgeons. I fully recommend such a surgery.
Susan Renwick
I had excellent treatment on day of surgery. Very pleased with results and aftercare, glad i went through with the surgery, worth the money Consultation in Cross Street, Manchester Treatment centre Maxi Manchester
Jackie Peel
I had my treatment the end of August in Maxi Manchester, I was very nervous but the staff were wonderful.. the actual treatment did not take long at all I was in the laser room for about 10 mins.. amazing I could see straight away.. a bit uncomfortable but no real pain. The aftercare really good from the 24 hour to each appointment after. My vision is better now than it was with my glasses. I had my Consultation at optical Express in Manchester, Cross Street. Staff and optometrist were fantastic. I wish I had it done years ago.
Sebastian Gonzalez
I had my lasik surgery on 12/12/07 with Osama Gildi at the Shaftesbury Avenue branch just before my 26th birthday and it's now just over a week since the operation. Originally my eyesight was Right -5.0 and Left -5.5 diopters and used contact lenses to correct my shortsightedness. I could barely read a book more than 25cm away A week on I've been told I now have -0.5 in both my eyes and have better than 20/20 vision which is a vast improvement than before and I can now drive without glasses! My only gripe is with my post operative vision, I see less clearly than with lenses and glasses. The only reason I can think of is that I used to wear lenses that were 0.25 diopters less than my actual prescription in both eyes and now my vision is -0.5 (-0.25 than I am used to). I was also told they don't normally give people glasses with my current prescription of -0.5. However, I have been told my eyesight should continue to improve as they settle after the operation so will have to be patient with this. Short distance vision is a massive improvement and a lot clearer than before and I do not suffer from dry eyes or halos/starry lights. Everyone was very friendly and helpful on the day of the procedure. My only gripe was that I felt a bit rushed between the surgery of each of my eyes as I found it difficult to keep them open and even focus into the laser beam. After the procedure my eyes were extremely painful with continuous streaming for an hour and was not able to open them for nearly 4 hours. Still, the staff were very helpful after the procedure ensuring I was made aware of the post operative eye drops I was required to take for the following week. Once I could open them I was very happy to see my eyesight was much better than before. I now have my 3rd check up in 3 weeks.
