GP Simon’s world just got a whole lot clearer and more expansive, with some assistance from Optical Express’s ‘Thanks a Million’ campaign.

 Luck was on his side the day he decided to research his suitability for laser eye surgery, and discovered that, as part of the 2023 Optical Express initiative, NHS and Emergency Service workers could receive the procedure free of charge.

In his role as a GP, his days are spent navigating screen time and assessing patients, making sharp vision a priority for his everyday responsibilities.

As a medical mind, Simon was curious about how the testing process impacted outcomes, “They actually scan the surface and the structure of your eye, so the surgery is unique to you.” He appreciated the sophisticated systems in place that made his treatment entirely personalised.

24 hours after this surgery, Simon marvelled at the newfound clarity in his surroundings, “I looked out the window, I was able to see all the details in the houses fairly close to me, looking at all the individual tiles, all the leaves on the trees, all the car registration numbers in the car park as well.”

Simon’s experience with Optical Express wasn’t just about enhancing his vision, but also improving his quality of life. As someone who loves adventure activities, clear distance vision has opened up a whole new perspective on the outdoors. Whether cycling through the Shropshire countryside or scuba diving in Mediterranean seas, he can now fully take in the sweeping landscapes, something he previously had to strain to appreciate.

Simon commented: “I’m also looking forward to doing more of my adventure activities where I can actually appreciate more of the panorama in my distance vision rather than just focusing a couple of metres in front of me.”

His journey is a testament to the life-changing potential of Optical Express’ ‘Thanks a Million’ campaign, which continues to make a tangible difference for NHS and emergency workers like him.

Optical Express first launched the ‘Thanks a Million’ campaign in 2017 and donated £1 million worth of free laser eye surgery to NHS and Emergency Service workers. The campaign relaunched in 2023 with Optical Express donating another £1 million worth of laser eye surgery. It’s our way of saying a big thank you to the NHS and Emergency Service workers for the invaluable work they do.