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.
SARAH
I had Lasek several months ago, one eye is still short-sighted. I'm thinking of going back to see if it can be done again.. Does anyone know.... how long you have to wait for further treatment? What's the lowest prescription can you have to have re-treatment? Does it hold more risk? If anyone has had re-treatment for Lasek, please e-mail me & let me know if all went well/or not with you. thanks
Alison
I just had lasik on my left eye with Dr Patel at the London branch on Thursday. Left eye -4.50 and right eye -4.25. The surgery went well and Dr Patel was very good in calming me down and encourageing me. Having one eye done was a personal decision (I was worried that something will go wrong and somehow easier to care for 1 eye, didn't regret decision). Also whenever I needed to rub my eye I had 1 other eye to do so. My prescription is +0.75 the day after the surgery. Not sure how did would change. My right eye will be done 2 weeks later. At the moment, my eye is recovering fine, no major problems or halos..etc. I wear contact lense in the other eye and the overall vision is better than perfect! Really don'y want to end up being longsighted after having my right eye done. Any others views and comments is appreciated. You can contact me if you need more advice too. Will keep posted.
Helen Shay
Had my 1 week check at Leeds yesterday. Didn't seem a lot to it. They say both my eyes are a bit long-sighted, but it will settle down, plus I need weak over-counter reading glasses for now. My right eye hasn't such good focus. Left seems very good. Been told not to use gym for another 3 weeks, which seems a bit excessive. I go back in 4 weeks. If anyone has any advice/tips for this stage, let me know. All gratefully received.
Lynne Fraser
I had Lasik treatment done on my right eye on March 5th at Golden Square, Aberdeen, by Dr Kalognomas, due to my having only mild refraction, in the hope of having monovision. He initially went to treat my left eye which was the slighter weaker one but stopped when discovering what he at first thought was a scratch. He explained later that it was too dry (I do use eye drops due to a thyroid problem and had explained all this at my pre-op check). He then suggested that he do the cheaper option but I declined so he then suggested looking to see if the right eye could be done, which I agreed to. Something obviously went wrong from what he said afterwards and I have been left with a haze over my eye and worse sight in it than before. I will see Dr Kalognomas again next Wednesday and hope to get an honest answer as to what went wrong but I will certainly never let him treat me again.
Siobhan Hill
I have just had a consultation at the Edinburgh clinic. Took nearly two hours but the staff were good enough to give me some money to feed the meter! I was really impressed with the level of detail that the consultation went into - i just hope that the surgery (booked 29th March) is as easy.
Fiona McPhee
Just an update on my progress. I had LASIK surgery on Saturday 8th March, which I was very nervous about. I am happy to report that everything went well, there was absolutely no pain during the surgery and I only had a little discomfort for a couple of hours afterwards. What a difference from the PRK, I was in alot of pain for days. 3 days since the surgery and I notice a huge difference already. My distance vision is excellent but my near vision is still a bit hazy, I was told this was quite normal though. This is very strange for me because I was been short sighted for most of my life. I am back at work today and I am finding it a bit difficult to focus on the computer and read anything clearly. I have got another check-up this Friday, so hopefully everything it ok. I wish I got LASIK initially and then I maybe wouldn't have had to go through this again.
Karen C
Hi Doron - Sorry about the gender mistake!! I popped into the Eye Clinic this morning and they said that it takes weeks for the prescription to settle down. Hope this gives you some encouragement. Good Luck.
Karen C
I had LASIK on 27th Feb performed by Dr Patel in Finchley Road. I have had my one week post op chek up and been told that that day after my surgery, I had 0 in both eyes and that one week later my prescription was +0.25/+0.5 but that this would change again and take time to settle to a final prescription. I have been told that it takes at least a month for it to settle and someone else I know has been told that it can take up to six months. The operation itself is nothing to worry about, you can't feel a thing, but the week following it has been very stressful. My eyes (around the rim and under the lids) have been sore, but this comes and goes as does dryness. I also have some hazing, which I find is different depending on the kind of lighting in the room and can sometimes feel that my eyes are a bit strained (although again this comes and goes, I think this has something to do with the fluctuation they mention in the leaflet - get a bit of blurring). What I can't understand is why Doron has been told that she has reached her plateau after one week when I have been told that it can take over a month to settle down. I have also heard people say that the hazing can last for different periods of time(does this depend on how long you were lasered)? I took comfort from Neil's e-mail saying that you have to give it time but think that based on the variety of experiences written about here, that recovery time all boils down to the individual. One thing I would say is that I think it should be made clear to people considering this treatment that this is surgery and that you will need time to heal.
Doron
Just to add a note to Karen's C posting. I kept getting different reports from different people at Optimax saying that it can stabilise between a week and between 6 months. It seems that they all have mixed views. p.s I'm not a she :) he he he
Neil Urquhart
I had Lasik done at the Edinburgh clinic on 25/1/03 and had my 1 month check up on 7/3/03. Whilst I can read the bottom line of the eye chart which would suggest a complete success, my eyes have been and still are very sensitive to artificial light and daylight and 1 month on, no sign of improvement. I decided to get the op done as I play a lot of competitive golf and the thought of being able to play without glasses was a big attraction. However, I almost feel like I still require glasses to play as the sharp focus I had with my glasses is not there. Similarly, working with my PC at work under the lights is the same and I find my eyes go out of focus very easily. Overall, I would have to say so far I am disappointed with the results and I have been asked to back in 2 months for a further check up.Both my check ups have been on a Friday at 4.45pm which suits me due to work commitments, however, I would probably advise against this slot as the opticians I have seen have been quite clearly in a rush to get finished. Happy to hear from anyone that has experienced similar problems.
