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.
Angela
Hoping to go to Leeds taking advantage of 2for1 for Lasik in September,anyone interested.Friend already been and says good value.
David
Hello Bad news I had both my eyes done back in July and they have been gradually getting worse. They were fine for the first month but then got worse its gotten to the point now where I can not see with my left eye at close range any more. The sad fact is Im not sure they will be able to do anythign about it as I started off on a high prescription. I will unfortunately have to go back to glasses or contacts. Maybe this is rare but be careful
steve
Had my first check up yesterday, was told I had 20/20 vision and the eyes were healing very well, the whole experience of LASEK went very well for me
Steve Coe
Left eye - Sph -2.50 Right eye - Sph -2.50 Had LASEK (EPIFLAP) treatment done to both eyes at Croydon last Wednesday (20th Aug) by Dr Ho. As expected I was nervous but Dr Ho made me feel very reassured. The actual operation was over in no time at all and was completely painless. As soon as the first drops go in, everything goes blurred. I couldn't feel the Epithelium being removed just saw it, but Dr Ho was very good in explaining what was happening. Don't worry if you move your eye, I did, and the laser stopped as promised! The Epithelium was replaced and a bandage lense put in place and that was it. I agree with Michelle about afterwards with the nurse. She told me a few times what to take and when but it just wasn’t going in! In the end she wrote it down for me! . I didn't have any patches and could see reasonably well enough to walk around. After a couple of hours though, the eyes do get very uncomfortable. I can't call it pain exactly, just very gritty and constantly streaming with tears. I was extremely sensitive to light and had to be indoors, curtains pulled with sunglasses on! I lasted for 5 hours before taking the sleeping tablet and I simply slept through the pain! The next morning the grittiness had subsided considerably and my vision was almost the same as when I used to wear contacts. The bandage lenses make everything misty but not bad enough not prevent you seeing. I was still sensitive to light the next day, but nowhere near as bad as the previous day. I had my check up last Saturday and had the bandage lenses removed. The grittiness went instantly and the vision became totally clear. I now have 20/20 vision but this does slightly fluctuate every day at the moment. I still can’t believe how good my vision is without contacts. The halo effect at nighttime is no worse than with contacts, in fact it appears to be slightly better. I know everyone says it, but it really does change your life.
Nina
I`m hoping to have Lasek surgery at Manchester.Optimax have an offer 2for1.if you intersted let me know asap.
David Sproat
Original Eyes: Left -1.75 Right -2.5 8mm pupils I had LASEK performed by Dr. Anwar at the Glasgow branch. My overall impression of Optimax and Dr. Anwar was that they are very capable and professional. However i did get the feeling of a `conveyor belt`. Of course, since Optimax are probably the cheapest surgery, i`m not suprised things were slightly `too efficient`. As for the surgery itself, it was a bit nerve-wracking, and certainly more serious than a trip to the dentists (i`ve seen some people equate the two). About 20 mins after leaving the surgery the pain started to kick in...proper pain - teeth clenching stuff! It lasted all evening, until the sleeping pills knocked me out. My eyes were gritty and watery for the next couple of days. I was also VERY light sensitive. Any chinks of light made me squeal like Gizmo from The Gremlins (Bright light, bright light!) :-) Dr. Anwar didn`t used bandage contact lenses on me (some docs prefer not to), so that may be why i had a lot of pain (then again, im might just be a wimp!) Anyway, 3 months on and i now have 20/20 vision. I don`t have any haloes or nightvision problems. In fact, glare and starbursts have improved 1000% compared to my glasses. Even though i`m very happy, and have had a great outcome, i`d never recommend Laser Eye Surgery to just anyone. That`s because it`s not suited to just everyone. I have large pupils, and therefore ran the risk of having night-vision problems. I weighed up the risks, took measures to stack the odds in my favour, gambled, and won. My advice is research this thoroughly, and really educate yourself about the factors involved. Good places to start would be www.usaeyes.org and alt.lasik-eyes on usenet. Good luck!
Michelle Williams
So far so good, had my Bi-Lateral (both eyes at the same time) Epiflap proceedure 5 days ago. I had a few essential last minuet questions and I'm sure the nurse thought I was jabbering on because I was nervous...which I was. I had my treatment postponed on Sat 16th due to staff sickness so since the assessment on that day I had thought of a couple more things to ask. Dr Ho (Croydon) gave a lovely smile to greet me and I felt a tad more relaxed. The surgery - if you can call it that, went very quickly. I tried to relax and just let it happen and I knew that I should expect blurred vision as soon as the drops were put in. Dr Ho was very calming. I could feel the Epithelium being removed but it was not painful at all, and looking at the red light was easy as with blurred vision it looked pretty big. I was worried that I wouldn't keep my eyes still and in my effort to do so would end up moving them, but there were signs the nurse made you read before entering the Op room - one saying that the machine will stop if your eyes move out of the target range...well words to that effect. The Epithelium was gently put back and lots of drops put into my eyes. I opted not to have bandaged lenses and the Doctor didn't try and change my mind, respecting my wishes, I had to wear eye patches for 24 hours, I was in a little pain as the anesthetic eye drops wore off but the pain killers the nurse gave me seemed to work for me - I had my own which Dr Ho agreed I could use if needed. One word of advice, have someone there to remember everything the nurse tells you afterwards with regards to when to take the meds, it was written down but I couldn't really take in when to take what when I got home etc...I think it was due to the relief of having my eyes done after much anxiety - maybe... After 24 hours of having patches over my eyes I was glad to get them off, my eyes were feeling itchy. Had my drops in my eyes - painless, and I could see straight away. I prepared myself to expect the worse and I had nothing of the sort, my eyes still improve everyday and I have my first check-up on Saturday 30th - I feel as if all is well and I have 20/20. I feel so much more confident and feel like my old self again - if that makes sense. One more piece of advice have something to hand that will take away the horrible taste the eyedrops leave in the back of your throat. I don't know if anyone else found that, but I wish I'd taken a drink on the journey home. One more thing to add... I was told to expect glare at night due to large pupils...I have experienced worse with glasses and contacts and would like to add that I think my vision is better now than when I wore my glasses or lenses! Any problems I will update you but I'm more than happy with the result. Specsavers Prescription in Jan: Left eye - Sph 3.25, Cyl 1.0, Ax 180 Right eye - Sph 3.00, Cyl 0.25, Ax 40
trevor
Has anyone has any experience with the Leeds branch? How good are they? Has anyone treatments gone wrong & does anyone recommend them? I am thinking of booking in October but apprehensive after reading some negative comments. What is the best clinic in peoples opinion?
B
I'm having my Epiflap surgery booked with Dr Almasari for Sat 13th September. Does anyone have any comments about this surgeon? Is Epiflap exactly the same as Lasek? Many thanks for your help!
Steve
Had PRK epiflap with Dr Mathen at the Manchester Clinic on Sat 26th Agust. Tretament went very well, it is a little disturbing being so aware of things but you just need to relax. The discomfort kicked in about 15mins after treatment just about enough time to get to the car. I couldnt open my eyes for 48 hours but three days on pain has gone and I am starting to see the improvements already. I will write more after my 10day check up
