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.
Colin Albert
Dr Patel performed my LASIK operation and it was excellent. I am extremly pleased with the result
Phil Totten
This site is certainly working. The response I've had through all my problems has been terrific. I've even been contacted by the Health Editor for the newspaper Scotland on Sunday to participate in an article. So keep it up as it is being read!!
Tony Henry
Hi Phil, I have just read your comments on this site and just wanted to say that I was -8 in both eyes with around a -3 astigmatism giving a whopping -11 combined refractive error. I had LASIK treatment 2 days ago at Accuvision. They have some equipment called a Wavefront Analyser (only equipment of its type in the country apparently) that they say has helped people like you in the past, it may be worth giving them a call.
Donna Hallam
This took longer than anticipated but both my eyes are finished now. The second eye was more painful that the first - the pain was almost immediate as I walked out of the treatement room. I can only assume they used more eye drops to numb my eye initially on the first procedure. It was only just bearable. All the pain for 2-3 days as the first eye. But the good news is my sight on the last consultation is perfect in my first eye and 20/20 in my second. The only side effects I have with the whole procedure is dry eyes. This is getting better and not causing me any major problems. I find the follow up checks at Optimax seem very thorough, and the opticians extremely helpful. Just happy my sight is restored.
Phil Totten
Had an appointment to see the doctor on August 29th but got a call on the night before to say he doctor was now unavailable for an indefinite period, so appointment cancelled. Got a call on September 21st to contact the clinic. This was as a result of reading this website!! Got an appointment for Sunday29th September in Edinburgh for more "TOSCA" tests and an appointment with the doctor. Got the tests done, then came the BOMBSHELL!! The problems I have CANNOT be surgically repaired. The cornea on my right eye is now not thick enough to do any more.GREAT! I then had a consultation with a doctor (not the original, she is still not there!) He stated much the same as I had been told previously. He also said that HE does not do laser surgery on anyone with a prescription greater than 6.00 ( mine was 9+). He also recommended other types of surgery if I wish my other eye done. Contact lens implants etc. So basically I am no further forward than when I went there. I will need either glasses or contact lenses to see properly...... NOT WHAT THEY ADVERTISE ON THE TELLY!!!!!! I don't really know where I am at the moment.
Gaynor Thomas
I have booked into the Birmingham clinic for Bi-Latral PRK treatment on the 16th October. I must admit the booking process was OK and the consultant seemed very positive. After all the research I did on PRK and other treatments, my mind went a little blank during the actual consultation, but I am going into this with my eyes wide open !. My only concern it the poor night vision a lot of people report, and although I am aware of this, I am still having the treatment. My friend gets around this by using glasses to drive at night, but I can not find anything to say that the ghosting or hallo effect suffered at night is made any better by wearing glasses, and if so, what glasses to wear. Well, I will let you know what happens.
Alison
I'm only now regaining my powers of speech having had them completely knocked out by how quick and painless my LASIK treatment was (Dr Patel at Finchley Rd) and by the fact that the very same evening I could see the clock on the video (some 7 to 8 ft away) crystal clear! I was minus 6 both eyes, have been back for my first checkup (the day after treatment) but won't get a proper reading untilnext week, and of course I am aware that I may lose some of the sharpness but considering how bad my eyesight has been for the last twenty years it really doesn't matter to me! My tips would be: Get your appointment for as early as possible in the day as they do tend to over-run - I was booked in to arrive at the clinic for 10am but did not go in for treatment until 12.40pm! Make sure you've eaten something and take magazines etc. You need to go back to the clinic the next day (they make this appointment at the time you book your treatment) and then the following week - make this appointment at the time you book your treatment otherwise you will be left with middle of the day time slots which are a pain if you need to go back to work! Afterwards, go home and go to bed! My eyes were so heavy that sleep was the only option (except you have to have eye drops every two hours for the rest of the treatment day!) It is now five days since my treatment and although I'm a bit paranoid that something will get into my eye and upset my healing process, overall I couldn't be happier, I already know how much of a change this will make to my life and am excited as anything! On a slightly different subject, my friend recently had PRK on both eyes and found it extremely painful, five days later and she is still quite blurry and very light sensitive so obviously if you are having PRK you will need loads of pain killers and to stay indoors for longer (light sensitivity has been worse for her too). Please feel free to contact me if you are considering having the treatment and I'll help you out as much as I can!
Martin Dowie
I've just had my eyes LASIK-ed by Dan Reinstein on Sunday (yes Sunday!) the 22nd September 2002. He is very good! Just had my 1 week sheck up today (30th) and progress and prognosis seem good (hopefully down to a -0.25 diopter by the end of the healing process. I can't say the office front end was exactly 100% - the email consultation booking system seem to be in a world of its own (I just received my confirmation email last week?!?) but the staff are friendly. Please remember the girls on the front desk are not train nurses dispite the uniforms! I Will report back on progress in the coming weeks but so far I'd give this a big thumbs up.
Martin
Bless me father for I had bad vision, it is less than 48 hours since I had my last LASIK treatment at Optimax in Glasgow. Doctor Berry was excellent and reassuring. The treatment mercifully brief. I was a brave boy and went without the valium pre-med (don't try this at home - take the pre-med as it will help relax your muscles on the operating table and should also help you sleep afterwards - a vital part of immediate recuperation). My eyes stung for an hour or two but within four hours of the op I was watching football on TV (wearing sunglasses, occasionally resting my eyes). Returned to clinic the following morning in absolutely no discomfort. right eye: 20/20; left eye: slightly better. Previously it was -3.5 in each eye. The result - though it's still early days - exceeds my expectations, it was excellent value for money, the staff are friendly and helpful and the whole process is relatively quick.
Julie
I had PRK treatment on both eyes on 17th Sept.Although I experience everything they said I would(not as bad as I thought).9 days later,I am still very sensitive to daylight,indoor lights are fine.I go for a check up on Saturday so I will know more then.I just wondered if anyone else has experienced this,and how long does it last.Apart from this,I am very pleased with my treatment,and I can't wait to get back to work.Please feel free to e-mail me.
