Chloe a nurse from Bangor Northern Ireland, was one of the successful applicants for free laser eye surgery as part of our Thanks a Million campaign.

Since becoming a nurse, Chloe felt her vision deteriorate. She would struggle to see monitors which is pivotal in her role as an ICU nurse where she looks after critically ill patients. Chloe commented that wearing glasses during emergency situations was a “nightmare” as they would fall off and having to wear PPE they would often steam up.

In her free time, Chloe enjoys going for walks and going to the cinema and concerts, these activities were hindered by her poor vision and was eager for a better solution that would offer her a better quality of life. Chloe spoke about forgetting her glasses at times, and having to turn back and get them, making it a more stressful experience than it needed to be.

Chloe’s brother previously had laser eye surgery and would encourage Chloe to have it. So when Chloe seen the Thanks a Million campaign on social media she took her chance and applied for free laser eye surgery.

Being a successful candidate, Chloe was in contact with the head office to arrange appointments, answering any of her questions and just kept in contact to ensure she was aware of everything.

On the day of her surgery, she didn’t feel that nervous as she the clinic staff had put her at ease that she didn’t need to feel nervous, even mentioning that “one of the girls plaited my hair” on the day.

Her vision is now “amazing” and has been informed that she now has better than 20/20 vision.

It is the second time that Optical Express has chosen to thank NHS and Emergency Service workers in this way. In 2017, they launched their first ‘Thanks a Million’ campaign which saw them give away £1 million worth of free laser eye surgery. Over the course of the two campaigns more than £2 million worth of surgery will improve the lives of NHS and Emergency Service workers.

Since Optical Express was founded 33 years ago, the team are proud to have supported hundreds of humanitarian and philanthropic projects, donating over £33 million and counting to worthwhile causes in the UK and abroad.