Optical Express vs Ultralase 2026: Laser Eye Surgery Prices & Reviews

Optical Express and Ultralase are two of the UK's largest laser eye surgery chains. Both are CQC-registered, offer LASIK and SMILE procedures, and advertise LASIK from around £595 per eye. But they differ on clinic numbers, procedure range, aftercare terms, and total cost once you get past the headline price.

Quick comparison

| | Optical Express | Ultralase | |--|----------------|-----------| | UK clinics | 30+ | 15+ | | LASIK from | £595/eye | £595/eye | | SMILE from | £1,800/eye | £1,500/eye | | Procedures offered | LASIK, SMILE, LASEK/PRK, Presbyond, RLE, ICL | LASIK, SMILE, LASEK/PRK, Presbyond | | CQC registered | Yes | Yes | | Aftercare | Lifetime aftercare guarantee | 12 months included | | Finance | 0% APR available | 0% APR available | | Trustpilot rating | ~4.6/5 | ~4.4/5 |

Pricing comparison

| Procedure | Optical Express | Ultralase | |-----------|----------------|-----------| | Standard LASIK | From £595/eye (selected clinics, limited availability) | From £595/eye | | Advanced/Wavefront LASIK | £1,295–£2,295/eye | £1,195–£1,995/eye | | SMILE | From £1,800/eye | From £1,500/eye | | LASEK/PRK | £995–£1,795/eye | £895–£1,595/eye | | Presbyond (blended vision) | £1,995–£2,595/eye | £1,795–£2,395/eye | | Refractive Lens Exchange | £2,495–£3,995/eye | Not widely offered |

Optical Express — what to know

Optical Express is the UK's largest laser eye surgery provider with over 30 clinics nationwide, including locations in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Belfast.

• Full procedure range — offers LASIK, SMILE, LASEK/PRK, Presbyond, refractive lens exchange, ICL, and cataract surgery. This means if your consultation reveals one procedure is unsuitable, they can recommend an alternative in-house.
• Lifetime aftercare guarantee — includes all follow-up appointments and enhancement procedures if your vision changes over time. This is a significant differentiator.
• 0% finance — interest-free credit available over 12–24 months, with monthly payments from around £40/month depending on procedure.
• Experienced surgeon pool — employs a large team of consultant ophthalmic surgeons, many with NHS backgrounds.
• Also covers non-laser options — lens replacement, ICL implants, and cataract surgery are all available, making it suitable for patients who discover laser treatment is not appropriate for their prescription.

Ultralase — what to know

Ultralase is an established UK laser eye surgery brand with multiple clinics across England and Scotland.

• Competitive headline pricing — LASIK from £595/eye and SMILE from £1,500/eye, which undercuts Optical Express on SMILE by approximately £300.
• Bladeless LASIK — all LASIK procedures use femtosecond laser technology (no microkeratome blade), which is now industry standard but worth confirming.
• 0% finance — interest-free options available, typically over 12–24 months.
• 12-month aftercare — post-operative care included for 12 months. Enhancement procedures may be available but check the terms, as these are not guaranteed for life.
• Focused offering — primarily a laser eye surgery specialist. If you need lens-based procedures such as RLE or ICL, you may be referred elsewhere.

When to choose Optical Express

• You want lifetime aftercare — their guarantee covers follow-ups and enhancements indefinitely, providing long-term peace of mind.
• You need lens surgery, not laser — Optical Express offers ICL and refractive lens exchange in-house, so you are covered if laser treatment turns out to be unsuitable.
• You want the widest clinic choice — with 30+ locations, there is likely a clinic near you, reducing travel for multiple appointments.
• You prefer a single provider for everything — consultations, surgery, and all aftercare under one roof with consistent records.
• You are over 45 and need Presbyond or RLE — Optical Express has more experience with these age-related procedures.

When to choose Ultralase

• SMILE is your preferred procedure — Ultralase offers SMILE from £1,500/eye, approximately £300 less than Optical Express.
• You want lower overall LASIK cost — their advanced LASIK pricing starts lower, which may save several hundred pounds.
• You only need standard laser correction — if you are a straightforward LASIK or SMILE candidate, Ultralase's focused approach is well-suited.
• There is a convenient location near you — if an Ultralase clinic is closer, the reduced travel for pre-op, surgery day, and follow-ups is a practical advantage.

What about the NHS?

Laser eye surgery is classified as a cosmetic procedure and is not available on the NHS. There are no plans to change this. The NHS will provide glasses prescriptions and cataract surgery, but elective vision correction for short-sightedness, long-sightedness, or astigmatism must be funded privately.

Both Optical Express and Ultralase offer interest-free finance to spread the cost. See our finance options guide for more on paying for private treatment.

The verdict

For most patients, Optical Express is the safer overall choice because of its lifetime aftercare guarantee, wider procedure range, and larger clinic network. If your priority is long-term cover and flexibility, it justifies the slightly higher price on some procedures.

Ultralase is worth considering if you are a clear SMILE or LASIK candidate and want to save on upfront cost. Their SMILE pricing is notably lower. Just be aware that aftercare is limited to 12 months, so factor in the potential cost of future follow-ups.

Whichever you choose, get a full written quote after your consultation that covers the procedure, all follow-up appointments, and any enhancement guarantee. The headline "from" prices rarely reflect what most patients pay.

Related guides

• Laser Eye Surgery Cost UK — full pricing breakdown for LASIK, SMILE, and lens replacement
• Lens Surgery — ICL and refractive lens exchange compared
• Finance Options — how to spread the cost of private treatment