1. Optimax Laser Eye Surgery Review
Optimax is a UK specialist in laser eye treatment, lens replacement surgery, and cataract surgery. Founded in 1991, this clinic has performed over 430,000 vision corrections. It currently has 28 clinics nationwide, including London, Bristol, Birmingham and Belfast.
Here is how nearly 1,000 real customers rate Optimax for its clinic, cost, treatments and surgeons:
| Optimax Rating Overall | Clinic Rating | Cost Rating | Surgeon Rating | Treatments Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (3.9 out of 5) | (3.6 out of 5) | (3.5 out of 5) | (5 out of 5) | (4.1 out of 5) |
These ratings boil down to:
Pros: Fixed prices, free consultation, Wavefront technology, locations nationwide, NHS-trained surgeons
Cons: Poor customer service, lacking communication from surgeons, frequent delays
☝ Compare clinics: See if there are any other top-rated clinics near you, and use our simple tool to receive a personalised quote – as well as free eye tests worth £800!
2. Optimax Laser Eye Surgery Cost
“I would do this surgery again tomorrow knowing the results I have got. It was worth every penny – the best money I ever spent.” – Stephen Gerrard
(3.5 out of 5)
Laser eye surgery at Optimax costs £1,695 (per eye) for Wavefront LASEK or Wavefront IntraLase LASIK. Cataract surgery costs £2,995 (per eye), while implantable contact lenses will set you back £2,495 (per eye).
These are average prices for eye surgery in the UK – not as cheap as other high street clinics like Optical Express, but less expensive than eye hospitals like Moorfields Private.
Are there any hidden costs? No – Optimax offers free consultations, and transparent prices. Plus, there are finance options, meaning you can pay under £50 for 36 months for laser surgery, or under £70 a month for lens surgery.
Here are the prices of some of Optimax’ popular lens and laser surgery options:
| Eye Surgery Procedure | Price (per eye) | Finance Options (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Wavefront LASEK | £1,695 | £42.38 (36 months, 0% APR, £169.50 deposit) |
| Wavefront IntraLase LASIK | £1,695 | £42.38 (36 months, 0% APR, £169.50 deposit) |
| Cataract / RLE / CLE Treatment | £2,995 | £64.40 (36 months, 0% APR, £299.50 deposit) |
| ICL Treatment | £2,495 | £51.49 (36 months, 0% APR, £249.50 deposit) |
☛ Want a tailored quote? The only way to compare exact quotes is to see an eye expert for a check-up. These can cost up to £250, but with our simple tool you can find out how much laser or lens surgery will cost you for free.
3. Optimax Treatments
“I am delighted that the procedure was pain-free, and I didn’t even need any painkillers afterwards. At the weekly check-up, I was amazed to learn I had 20/20 vision – much better than predicted.” – Joan Hassell
(4.1 out of 5)
As well as traditional laser eye surgery, Optimax also offers a range of lens surgery options. Here is the full list:
- LASIK
- LASEK
- Wavefront / IntraLase®Femtosecond
- Cataract or refractive lens exchange (RLE) surgery
- ICL surgery or keratoconus treatment
Aftercare
Optimax provides a free and comprehensive aftercare program to regularly check and monitor your vision at each stage of the recovery process. All aftercare costs are included in the cost of your eye surgery.
Optimax locations
Optimax offers a range of clinics nationwide. It also hosts open days, where patients are able to have a free assessment, take a tour of the clinic, and speak to specialist consultants. Optimax’s main locations are: London, Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Belfast, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, and Manchester.
4. The Verdict
I am really happy with the results. Apart from the machine not working and the long wait, the staff at this Optimax were really nice, friendly and helpful, as was Dr Patel. I would recommend this Optimax. – Tina Gibson
(3.9 out of 5)
Optimax has an average overall rating due to hit-and-miss patient care, based on nearly 9,000 independent reviews on Lasik Eyes since 2002.
Most patients we spoke to were happy with the service. However, the long waiting times and poor communication mean this clinic misses the top spots on the list of the best laser eye surgery clinics in the UK. Still, Optimax makes it into these top lists:
But is Optimax right for you? The only way to find out is to see if you’re eligible for 20/20 vision or your money back, and to get a tailored quote. That’s why we make it easy to pop in for a free consultation, have free eye tests (worth £800), and talk through your options with an eye expert.
Next steps: Our simple tool helps thousands of readers a day get closer to going glasses free:
- Find the top clinic in seconds: Answer three questions to be matched to the leading eye clinic in your area
- Check you’re eligible in minutes: Receive a quick call to check you can get surgery (we don’t share your number with anyone else)
- Book a free consultation: Talk to an expert at a clinic you can trust for a free eye test and personalised quote (with no obligation)
☛ Click here to find the best clinic near you, and get a tailored quote.
5. Optimax Surgeon Reviews
6. Optimax Patient Reviews
Julia Dawkins
lens replacement went well. Following that I needed remediation treatment on one eye – lazer treatment. I was asked back a total of 8 times to review my eyes but was not explained anything about what or why I should have dry eyes. treat ment for that was hardly explained and I returned many ties without any further treatment scheduled, nor with any explanation of how they would proceed. after a year almost to the day I was given lazer remediation treatment. On the day all the proper tests were carried out before the treatment. However I overheard that my data had crashed to computer which instructed the lazer what to do. Finally after 3 and a half hours someone came to me and said they had solved their”little ” problem and work would now commence. I was really scared by the time I sat in the chair for my eye to be lazered (!) and had to say to the doctor that I just had to trust his expertise that he would not proceed if anything was wrong.
Terrible after care service and lack of information. I wrote complaining to them on March1st (I think) and still have had only an acknowledgement, but no reply to my complaiint. Outrageous! Would not reccommend to anyone.
Debbie
Following LASEK treatment at Manchester optimax on both eyes it is now 10 days later. As stated previously I had a lot of pain but feel wonderful now. I'd say it took a good 5 days to feel myself again. I have no haze, went back to work after 6 days, can watch TV and am driving again. I'm even attending my taekwondo lessons (making sure i take it easy). My eyesight seems to be improving every day and my eyes feel fine - although I do get tired easily when on the VDU or driving. I am due to have a check-up tomorrow to see how everything is. I hope everything is OK and I don't have to go back to Optimax for a few months. Here's to going swimming in a few weeks and actually being able to see where I'm going and not just see blurred blobs.
andrea gibbon
Had lasek at Newcastle on 1st september feeling a bit low today as I have a considerable amount of "haze" good job I only got right eye done or I wouldnt have been able to see. Staff and surgeon were very professional although I didnt expect to be still in pain today and I honestly thought I would have been able to see! anyway seee what tomorrow brings!
Maggie green
Question for anyone, please say how bad your prescription was, as this would be really helpful. Anyone had treatment for +8 and what were the results? is it even available for really poor eyesight?
Mike Haskins
I'm gearing up to have treatment. So far, I've read everything I could find on the various treatments, I've attended an open day at Birmingham Optimax and I've been to see my doctor and asked his advice. Tomorrow I'm attending a free consultation with Ultralase, though I have to say this is really going to be a benchmark for the consultation I'm going to book with Optimax in a couple of weeks when I return from holiday. I'm concerned on how they can charge so little compared to people like Ultralase, as I've always believed you get what you pay for. There is also the part of me that always wants the best deal though, so I'm still looking closest at Optimax, but I'm looking for the potential concerns. If anyone has had experience with any B'ham surgeries (good or bad) and has any advice, I'd be most interested. Thanks.
Julie
This rating is for the aftercare. I have been told I can only get my final appointment on a Monday, Wednesday or Thursday (Glasgow) - no use to me as I work. If I want Saturday wil have to pay to see an optician who knows nothing about me !!!! Absolutely appalling, and was not warned of this at any point.
Debbie
Had epiflap (LASEK) on both eyes on 26/8/03 at Manchester. Consultation, treatment & aftercare very good. The consultant explained everything to me beforehand and told me I was suitable and that I could go ahead with treatment straight away. I opted to have both eyes done at the same time. I had read up about the treatment and so was aware of what the consultant was doing and he also talked me through it. The treatment was very quick and painless and I was not given bandage lenses. This may be why I suffered terrible pain for 2 days - although my eyes did not water and I felt no grittiness etc. On the 3rd day I awoke and looked over to the alarm clock - I could see the figures as plain as anything. No pain, just really really tired - a bit like getting over a bad dose of flu. It's now day 6 and I am back at work. I can use the VDU but it is very tiring. My mid vision and close vision seems fine and my distance vision is improving everyday. My check up is in 4 days and I hope that I will be given the all clear.
Emma Baker
After much deliberating over the epiflap surgery, i was finally convinced to go for it after the birth of my son. At 4 months the floor was wearing my glasses more than me! My consultation was on July 25th 2003 and i went staright in for the surgery afterwards as did my mother. I can honestley say i felt no pain or discomfort during the procedure, afterwards both my eyes and my mothers were weepy and quite light sensitive. I took 2 painkillers and went to bed. Our consultant recommended the contact lense bandages - these made our eyes feel quite gritty, but upon removal everything was very clear and the dry eye feeling soon disappeared. All in all its the best thing we've ever done, and a big thank you to all the staff at Birmingham Optimax for your help and guidance!
Lesley
Both eyes -2.50 I went to the Leeds branch on the 21st of July for bi-lateral lasek its the best thing I have ever done, Dr Samuel is fantastic he went through everything very slowly and explained all the risks and recovery period making sure I had understood. I have been waiting to post anything on the web site until I had my monthly check up. Just had it on the 26th of Auguts 20/20 vision. I had the contact lenses put in so help ease the pain because I am a wimp you dont have to have these it does mean going back 3 days after surgery but hey anything to lessen what ever the pain might be, the day I had it done I followed the instructions and took the pain killers 1/2 hour after having the treament , I was very sensitive to light on the way home and was glad my partner came with me to drive me home no real pain though just a dull ache. I got home and went straight to bed hwere it was dark and quiet, my eyes started to water quite badly at this stage and continued to do so for the next 36 hours I ensured I took the sleeping tablets and I had an excellent nights sleep. Thursday after I travelled back and had the lenses out and at that stage I had driving standard vision. Still sensitive to light though. But it was sunny so I could use sunglasses without gettiong any strange looks. I got quite a few a week later when it was very overcast and started to rain and I still kept them on. The sensitivity to light went on for a couple of weeks but by the end of the week my eyes in general were fine although for the first 2 weeks I struggled to do to much work on the PC, but I was warned about this. The glare seemed to hurt my eyes they also had a tendancy to feel tired quicker at the end of some days my vision was a bit bulrred but again all these things had been explained so I didn't feel the need to panic. The longer recovery period suited me fine as the risks are less than that of Lasik, would recomend any one to go to the Leeds clinic. Dr Samuel is fantastic I ended up at Leeds because they couldn't fit me at Manchester which was nearer but I am so glad I went there, all the staff are very good and very efficient. All my appointments were on time I just wish I had gone a month later then I could have got it cheaper as I could have gone with some one else and got the 2 for 1 offer.
David
Hello I went to the London branch. My right eye is still fine touch wood but my left eye as I said before can hardly see text or anything up close. My eyes were fine for 3 months and it just started to get worse. My prescription was -7.5 and -7. I will see if I can get an appoinment this week to see what they say. Its quite scarey, the thought of wearing glasses and contacts again fill me with dread ! The headaches are starting to take their toll on me as well.
trevor
David, sorry to hear it has not gone well for you, what was your prescription before the treatment and which branch of optimax did you have the treatment?
