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
Wayne
I HAD PRK IN 1993 AT THE OPTIMAX LONDON CLINIC AND THEN LATER AT THEIR BRISTOL CLINIC. MY ORIGINAL PRESCRIPTION WAS -6.5 IN BOTH EYES.DUE TO REGRESSION AFTER PRK I HAD RETREATMENTS ON BOTH EYES, THE LAST OPERATION BEING IN MAY 1996. MY PRESCRIPTION IS NOW -.25 SPHERE 1.75 CYL RIGHT EYE -.25 SPHERE -.50 CYL LEFT EYE. FROM THE OUTSET OPTIMAX INFORMED ME THAT MY CHANCES OF COMPLETELY THROWING AWAY MY GLASSES WERE AROUND 60% AND ON THE WHOLE I AM QUITE PLEASED WITH THE RESULT. MY VISION HAS BEEN STABLE SINCE 1997 AND I HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH MY VISION. ALTHOUGH THE HAZE ON BOTH EYES HAS COMPLETLEY CLEARED IT TOOK AROUND 4 YEARS WHICH IS A LOT LONGER THAN THE DOCTORS SUGGEST. I HAVE COME ACROSS WEB SITES WHICH SAY 4 YEARS IS WHAT IT TAKES FOR THE CORNEA TO FULLY HEAL.ALTHOUGH IT IS NATURAL TO FEEL WORRIED ABOUT THE SYMPTOMS AFTER PRK YOU MUST REMEMBER THAT IT TAKES TIME FOR THEM TO SUBSIDE. AS IT IS NOW OVER 6 YEARS SINCE MY PRK I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THINGS HAVE MUCH IMPROVED.
I HAVE COME ACROSS A WEB SITE WHICH WARNS OF THE DANGERS OF LASIK http://www.LASIKdisaster.com/
Paul Crowton
Tried to contact them by telephone. Either continual ringing or line goes dead.
Filled in the form on their website. No response. Sent email no response.Sent angry email ,got a call back but they couldnt find the prescription that I had sent to them. They then located it and promised to call me in half an hour.
By the following day still no call. Sent threatening email (threat to contact directors etc) Received call within 20 minutes. Despite having my prescription they did not seem to know whether I had astigmatism or not.
They then told me I was not suitable. Other companies however seem to think I am.They seem to be the cheapest and no wonder!
Saeed Mughal
Following on from the post on 10/06/2002 I went for my 3 month checkup. Both eyes are now perfect(not long or short sighted), 20/20.
I will go to my optician just to get a 2nd opinion, but I feel that my sight is very good.
This is the best investment I have made.
jan
follow up to previous e-mails. Had 2 month check up on right eye, vision better than 20/20, no haze at all. Mr Ayoubi very pleased with results, booked to have left eye done in a couple of weeks. Hope it will turn out as well as right but there is more scarring on it.
Will let you know how it goes.
Teresa
Following on from my last e mail in June, had left eye done by PRK on 3rd July, and all I can do is reiterate my previous comments. Everything went great - my actual treatment time should have been about 3pm but Dr Mathen managed to fit me in at 1pm to save a two hour wait, which was brilliant. All other appointments including aftercare have also been early. Both eyes have 20/20 vision which is fantastic and well worth the 2-3 days discomfort following treatment. Highly recommended!
Simon Bannister
Second follow up (most recent 4th July)to ariginal LASIK in March. Have now visited local Optician for a standard eye test. His previous partner worked for Ultralase so he was more than a little familiar with the LASIK procedure.
Gave me a very thorough eye examination and pronounced me "very slightly" short sighted (L -0.25 R -0.5). If I came in off the street he would not prescribe any correction.
He observed some slight corneal haze, worse in the left eye. From his expereince this is very mild and can be expected as a result of LASIK.
Looking at my initial prescription preer LASIK (L -5.5 R -6.25) he believes I have had an exceptional outcome and that to consider having a second minor correction would be completely crazy.
I've had some specs made up to my very mild prescription just to see if this helps to sharpen things up in low light condistion.
Feel free to email me.
Gary King
Got my right eye done with PRK on July 19th at the Edinburgh clinic.Not as easy as the left unfortunately.Very sore and itchy.Had my second examination on August 5th and optician is very pleased with the progress.Both eyes are almost completely healed and my vision is as good as it was with my glasses on.I would recommend this clinic to anyone.
Phil Totten
Thursday 8th August
Attend Glasgow for three monthly check up. Blurring has not improved since day two. Have been taking steroids for nearly 3 months now. Need to know what is the problem. Am told it is aberrations, and that I need more tests and to see the doctor in Edinburgh.
Agree to go tomorrow (Friday) as doctor is there only Wed and Fri. And the machine for testing aberrations is in Edinburgh.
Elaine
I had laser PRK surgery on my right eye in February 2002. It was painful for about 2-3 days and couldn't open my eye for more than a couple of seconds but could see almost perfectly out of it immediately after this. My sight has been very good ever since although I have had some pain now and again which has now completely gone away. On the whole I am glad I did it and will probably have the other one done next year. I will definitely ask about the bandage lens though which I wasn't told about at the time.
Irene Growcott
I had bilateral LASIK performed on 05 August 2002. The surgeon, Dr Dan Reinstein, was excellent. He explained every step of the procedure which I found most reassuring. On the day everything went very smoothly - the first 24h afterwards spent resting and instilling hourly drops. At my 24h check-up my vision was excellent - 6/6 both eyes. 3 weeks on, for me, things continue to 'look good'. The staff have been most professional and informative and I would recommend their services to anyone considering LASIK treatment.
