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.
Les Lamb
Update from previous posting... had my first check-up on the 2nd Dec. The appointment went ahead early and I had a thorough expert check-up. I now have near perfect distance vision in my treated eye but close vision is worse but is improving. So I now have what they call "monocular vision" - one eye good for distance the other good for close up. Their advise is to wait until my treated eye settles down before making a decision about treating the other. It could be a better bet to not treat my other eye so I should not need reading glasses in the future. The strange feeling of having different focus is slowly going - my brain seems to know which eye to use at different distances! Marvellous to now drive without glasses. Apart from the initial discomfort I am very pleased Optimax advised PRK Epiflap and to treat only one eye - this now gives me options.
Kate
Further to my posting below, I went for my 1 week check up and my eyes are L -0.25 and R 0.00. What a result!!!! I arrived early (that's London traffic for you- unpredictable) and they saw me early and answered my list of post-op questions about things like rubbing eyes, eye drops etc, and off I went- until my next check-up in a months' time :)
Alex
Went for the Open Day to confirm my prescription after booking PRK Epiflap treatment for the 7th Dec. Got there and had my eyes tested, the lady who tested them, said I had -1.25 & -1.75 (although my opticians say I have -2.25 & -2.50) and also recommended PRK, but when I went to sit outside in the waiting room, another lady came over to discuss treatment and recommended I needed LASIK, as my astigmatism was high!! Now I'm really confused, as in the brochure it clearly says astigmatism can be treated with PRK, all this conflicting advice and prescriptions has really put me off, and I have cancelled my consultation for the 7th. :( Also noticed some of u say you have paid £999 for LASIK. Is that for both? As I thought they were £750 per eye. Thanks.
Kate
I had LASIK surgery (on both eyes) on 21st November, at a total cost of £999 - a special offer after attending an open day at the Finchley Rd clinic. Dr Patel did the op and was very good, he put my mind at ease at the consultation and during the op. I was petrified for weeks beforehand, but afterwards I thought to myself 'that wasn't so bad after all' and now I can see almost perfectly, one eye is slightly long sighted and the other slightly short, but considering I was approx -9.5 in both eyes I think that is amazing! Am going tonight for my 1 week aftercare so will find out my exact prescription then, hopefully there will be no need for a re-correction in 6 months. I was told that my corneas were thick (a good thing for LASIK) and that my pupils were large (not brilliant for LASIK as it can affect your night vision) so I knew the possible down side and still went for it. My night vision is not as clear as day but it's OK, I can drive at night (although car lights can sometime be a bit bright), but it may settle down in time. The healing has been fine, eyes do still get a bit tired towards the end of the day making vision a bit blurred and air con makes my eyes so dry they burn, but other than that 12 days later I sometimes forget that my eyes have 'been done' and I go to take my glasses off/ or lenses out but they're not there anymore. I wish I had this done sooner (am 26 and worn glasses/ contacts since I was 6), the freedom that I have now is great, cannot wait to go on hols next year and swim in the sea without worrying about a) getting sea salt in my eye (burns with contacts in) b) loosing my contacts in a big wave etc c) being able to see underwater for the first time in ages!!! The only down side of Optimax is they are always running late, both my consultation and my 1 day aftercare appt were nearly and hour late, but the treatment was early! Overall though very good- I have called them once as I was worried about something but they called me back after speaking with Dr Patel and put my mind at rest.
Lisa Burn
I have booked an appointment to have the PRK treatment in both eyes on 11th December. My current prescription is -3.25 and -3.00. Please could I have ALL experiences with this treatment emailed to me and any comments regarding PRK V's LASIK? Also, what is the difference between PRK and LASIK ? Thanks
Helen Blyth
Consultation Thursday 28th November, LASEK Laser surgery Friday 29th November . Friday night felt uncomfortable and my eyes watered a lot. Lay on bed with eyes closed, didn't need any painkillers just kept my eyes closed. Saturday 30th eye sight seems as good if not better than when I wore my contact lenses. Its very difficult to believe that I don't have to go and take my lenses out! The Birmingham office were very organised and there was very little hanging around,.
Julia
due to have surgery on sat 7 Dec at Leeds. Scared to death at minute. Prescription is only -1.5 and -2. Any one been to Leeds is surgery worth hassle. Also got very sensitive eyes already cant drive in bright sun etc will this get worse? Look forward to any comments,
Kim McLaughlin
Had my eyes treated on by Dr Chatterjee at the Edinburgh clinic. The staff were very helpful and talked me through the whole procedure from my consultation to treatment day. Everything went smoothly and I am so happy with the decision I made, now looking forward to no more contact lenses.
Brian Baguley
There was a lot of problems for me on the day due to computer failure etc. I was basically sent home and asked to come back the next day. This is obviously not ideal if you're nervous or have made special arrangements, but is a service issue, not a surgical one I had LASIK on the 7/11/02 at a cost of £999. I had both eyes done on the same day. The actual operation was as painless as advertised and I was quickly out of the place. My eye sight was extremely poor before with 8.25 in one eye and 10.25 in the other, so I was borderline, but I was able to notice some improvement within a few hours. The next day I was driving. Now, some three weeks later, I feel great and have even been swimming. I have been told to expect some more improvement, so I am extremely happy. The only reason for good and not very good is the issue with the machine breaking down. No regrets at all.
Graeme Stuart
I got eyes treated @ Aberdeen by Dr Ramstein on 18th November. I am absolutely delighted with results of the procedure. Found Dr Ramstein to be very thorough. Before the procedure he went through any concerns you had until you were comfortable and during the surgery itself he talked you through each stage of the process (although sometimes hard to hear over the jazz music!). One complaint I would have is that, although the girls themselves are excellent with dealing with the patients, at each consultation & the procedure itself there were delays. Initial consultation took 1hr 45 mins, the surgery 2hrs 30mins, next day check-up 1hr 45mins, 1 week appointment should have been today but got call yesterday asking to reschedule for tomorrow. Appearance given is a wee bit disorganised (possibly trying to squeeze in too many patients???) Hopefully ok to advertise this on this forum but there are a number of charities who operate schemes to re-use old spectacles for use in developing countries. All going well, a good number of you who visit this forum will no longer have any requirement for your glasses so please put them to good use! The following are some of the schemes available: Vision Aid Overseas - Old spectacles can be sent in a padded envelope to: Vision Aid Overseas, 12 The Bell Centre, Newton Road, Manor Royal, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 9FZ or give them to opticians who collect for them. World Insight Appeal - Operated by Help the Aged & Dollond & Aitchison. Hand your old spectacles into any Dollond & Aitchison branch or send them to World Insight Appeal, FREEPOST, Lon 131109, London, EC1B 1JY. Oxfam - recycle old spectacles, sunglasses and cases. You can hand them in at any Oxfam Charity shop. Lions clubs throughout the UK.