Jonathan, an Operational Firefighter from Essex, has plenty of experience thriving in the face of challenge. Unsurprisingly, navigating the journey of laser eye surgery proved to be a pretty straightforward process for him.

Spending a lot of time in humid and sooty environments, Jonathan found glasses and contact lenses were an obstacle to his work, driving him to seek a more sustainable solution.

A participant in our 'Thanks a Million' campaign, relaunched in 2023, Jonathan is one of many dedicated NHS and Emergency Service workers receiving free laser eye surgery — a small but impactful thank you for their commitment.

Viewing it as a "fantastic opportunity" to be a part of and a “game changer” for his work, Jonathan shares his experience just 24 hours after the procedure at our Reading clinic expressing: “I wish I’d done it sooner, I really do.”

Now revelling in the newfound “feeling of freedom”, he commends our team, emphasising: "The staff made it, to be honest." He appreciated their attentiveness to his specific circumstances; going beyond standard reassurances and ensuring to closely address his concerns.

Despite initially approaching the procedure as a “daunting prospect”, Jonathan found it to be much quicker than expected and took comfort in the team's friendliness and expertise: “All the staff were amazing. Absolutely brilliant. And I’m not just saying that.”

First launched in 2017, the Optical Express ‘Thanks a Million’ campaign donated £1 million worth of free laser eye surgery to NHS and Emergency Service workers. Rekindled in 2023, the campaign continues to express gratitude with an additional £1 million allocation for laser eye surgery. It serves as a heartfelt acknowledgement and appreciation for the unwavering contribution and incredible service of NHS and Emergency Service workers.