Compare Eye Care Prices UK
Compare prices for eye tests, contact lenses, laser eye surgery, and lens replacement surgery from GOC-registered optical providers across the UK. All prices updated regularly.
Prices are verified regularly and may change between checks. Last price change recorded: 24 March 2026.
Get price drop alerts
Choose a treatment and dose, set your target price, and we will email you when it drops.
GOC-registered providers only. All optical providers listed are registered with the General Optical Council. Surgical providers are also CQC regulated.
Eye Tests
Compare private eye test prices from high-street and independent opticians. Includes OCT scan add-on pricing.
Contact Lenses
Compare daily, monthly, toric, and multifocal contact lens prices from verified UK suppliers.
Laser Eye Surgery
Compare LASIK, LASEK/PRK, SMILE, and Presbyond laser eye surgery prices from CQC-registered clinics.
Lens Surgery
Compare refractive lens exchange (RLE) and implantable contact lens (ICL) prices from verified surgical providers.
Cataract surgery: NHS wait times vs private prices
See how long the NHS wait is in your area alongside current private prices — from £1,750 per eye. One place to compare NHS waiting-time context with private cataract price information.
Market data: laser eye surgery
12 providers · April 2026Should you go private or use the NHS?
NHS route
Laser eye surgery is almost never available on the NHS — it is classified as cosmetic. Standard NHS eye tests and glasses prescriptions are free for children, over-60s, and those on certain benefits.
Typical wait: N/A — not available on NHS
Private route
Same-day or next-day appointments. Choose your provider. No referral needed in most cases.
Typical wait: 24 hours – 1 week
When private laser eye surgery makes sense
You want freedom from glasses or contacts
LASIK, SMILE, and PRK offer permanent vision correction for most people. One-time cost vs decades of glasses/lenses.
You have a high prescription
If your prescription is stable and you spend £300+/year on glasses and contacts, laser surgery can pay for itself within 3–5 years.
You need a specific procedure
SMILE is better for dry eyes, LASIK for quick recovery, PRK for thin corneas. Choose your clinic based on the procedure that suits your eyes.
What to check before booking
- ✓Clinic is CQC registered (for surgical procedures)
- ✓Surgeon is GMC registered and on the specialist register
- ✓Price includes pre-op assessment and post-op follow-ups
- ✓Ask about enhancement/re-treatment policy if needed
- ✓Check if you're suitable (stable prescription for 2+ years)
Questions to ask a provider
- ?Which procedure do you recommend for my prescription?
- ?What is your enhancement/retreatment rate?
- ?What is included in the quoted price?
- ?What happens if I need a follow-up correction?
- ?How many procedures has the surgeon performed?
Frequently asked questions
How much does laser eye surgery cost?
Is laser eye surgery available on the NHS?
How much do contact lenses cost per month?
Related comparisons
According to NHS England, free NHS-funded sight tests are available for under-16s, 16-18s in full-time education, over-60s, people with diabetes or glaucoma, and people on certain benefits. Most other UK adults pay for an eye test privately, typically £20-£35 at Specsavers or Vision Express. Boots offers free eye tests at most branches as a loss-leader.
According to TreatCompare research on published UK eyecare pricing, a private adult eye test costs £20-£35 at high-street chains and £50-£80 at boutique optometrists. NHS-eligible cataract surgery in England has a median wait of 12-18 weeks depending on region; private cataract surgery typically £2,000-£3,000 per eye for standard IOL.
According to the General Optical Council (GOC), all UK optometrists and dispensing opticians must hold current GOC registration. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists publishes clinical standards for refractive surgery (LASIK / SMILE / lens replacement). Patients should verify GOC registration before private treatment and Royal College of Ophthalmologists training for refractive surgeons.
Sources: NHS England NHS sight test eligibility, NICE NG77 (cataracts), General Optical Council register, Royal College of Ophthalmologists refractive surgery standards, TreatCompare UK eyecare price research.
Sources & further reading
- NICE NG77: Cataracts in adults — management — Clinical guidelines for cataract surgery referral thresholds and surgical standards
- General Optical Council: Standards of Practice — Regulatory standards for optometrists and dispensing opticians listed on this page
- Royal College of Ophthalmologists: Refractive surgery standards — Clinical standards for laser eye surgery and lens replacement procedures
- NHS: Eye care services — NHS eye test eligibility criteria and free sight test entitlements referenced in pricing context
- CQC: Independent healthcare services — CQC registration requirements for surgical eye care providers listed on this page
How we compare eyecare prices
TreatCompare lists publicly available pricing from GOC-registered optical providers. Surgical providers are also CQC regulated. Suitability for procedures must be assessed by a qualified clinician. We do not accept payment for ranking or inclusion. Read our methodology →
Guides & articles
In-depth guides and cost breakdowns from the TreatCompare editorial team.
Specsavers vs Vision Express UK 2026: Costs, Providers & What's Included
Compare Specsavers and Vision Express costs in the UK, including typical price ranges, what is included, common add-ons, provider differences and questions to ask before paying.
Optical Express vs Ultralase 2026: Laser Eye Surgery Prices & Reviews
Compare Optical Express and Ultralase for LASIK and SMILE laser eye surgery in the UK. Prices, procedures, aftercare, and which clinic is right for you.
Lower-cost Contact Lenses in the UK: Where to Buy Online (2026)
Compare contact lens prices from UK verified retailers. Daily, monthly, toric, and multifocal lenses. Where to find the lower-cost Acuvue, Dailies, and Biofinity.
How Much Does Laser Eye Surgery Cost in the UK? (2026)
Laser eye surgery costs in the UK: LASIK from £1,195/eye, SMILE from £1,500/eye, lens replacement from £2,500/eye. Compare prices from GOC-registered providers.