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
Craig Ross
Why are Optimax cheaper? I think part of the reason is royalty payments for use of the lasers. I think I am right in saying Nidek is a one-off payment while some of the others is per use. Plus lots of costs are fixed costs (receptionists, rates, heating + lighting, laser technicians) so if you can increase your throughput you can dramatically reduce your costs. I think that's the economics of it.
Craig Ross
Allison, if you look at the Optimax website they use Nidek 5000 and the Technolas 217. I think most of them are Nidek. Boots seem to be using the LADARVISION. Most people would probably say that the Boots machine is more modern, fancy tracker and so on. The laser is only one part of the final result, though. An experienced surgeon might be worth an awful lot (would you want a good tradesman with ok tools or someone who had little idea what they were doing and the latest kit?) At -4 why LASIK? (Indeed, why LASIK period?)
Karen Solley
I am having my consultation and both eyes done all on the same day 8th March 2003. I am going to the Glasgow Clinic to have Lasek. Has anyone been to the Glasgow clinic and had both eyes done on the same day? Please e-mail me and let me know? When will I be able to go back to work (I work on a computer 8 hours per day)
Diane H
It seems everyone is having both their eyes done at the same time due to Optimax special offer. I've been given the same deal at their Birmingham office, part of me thinks, great, get it over with in one day, but the other part is nervous & questioning. Anyone had Lasek at the Birmingham office, both eyes done at the same time, please e-mail me & let me know how it all went.
Lynette Kirby
For information only I had my eyes corrected at the London Clinic in November 2000. One of the reasons I decided to go ahead was the fact that I could look up my surgeons details on their website and check his details and the amount of experience. Also the fact that my initial appointment was with the surgeon to see if my eyes were suitable for this type of treatment and I would see him if I had any particular problems post-treatment which I felt to be a comfort. From a price point of view they offered good value for money and I would still recommend them as the following comments I will make would apply to any clinic - I would also stress that your surgeon is the one using the equipment and he is more important in the choice of clinic you make re experience. My vision was only suitable to be corrected with Lasik. What I didn't realise going into this was that your vision can fluctuate a lot over quite a period of time and even though I am now pleased I had it done I would advise other people to think of their jobs and consider whether they are better having it done in the summer months especially if you are a driver (re night driving) or office worker and looking at screens. The winter months when it gets dark at 3.00 pm and working in artificial light. Obviously I had it done in November - I wish I had had it done when the clocks had changed in the Spring so that by the winter I hopefully would have known what type of vision I would be left with. I have night vision glasses which I only need to wear when I am driving on unlighted roads i.e. minor B roads and some motorways - town driving is fine etc. So I need to have a pair of glasses just in case but I left it 8 months so that I could be sure that hopefully my vision had settled. When they talk about re-treatment like you can have it done just like that what you have to remember is it depends on how much cutting room they have left with regards to the eye and I was told that they didn't like to do it before six months post-op to allow the eyes plenty of time to settle down.
Julie
I'm due to have Lasek at the Finchley Rd clinic on 21st March for a -3.00 in both eyes. Has anyone had this procedure at this clinic and had both eyes done at the same time? If so, who was your surgeon; was it a success and how long was your recovery period? I'd also be interested to know if you were satifisfied with the results. Thanks alot.
Avril
I am planning to have a consultation and Lasik treatment, on both eyes, on 28th February at the Birmingham Optimax Clinic. If anyone has any comments or experiences, good or bad, of this particular clinic please e mail me. With the present bad publicity I am having second thoughts about the treatment.
Elaine Hunt
Going for consultation at Finchley Road this Friday, with Lasik surgery next Tuesday 25th (both eyes). Have been reading this web site to try and gain more information from people who have had the surgery. I have to say that I am still going. A little nervous but I am so fed up with wearing gas permeable lenses, alongside getting to an age where I need reading glasses that I am willing to take the plunge - unless anyone has any other reason that they care to disclose....... Let you know how I get on.
REBECCA BROWN
I HAD BOTH MY EYES TREATED AT THE FINCHLEY RD, LONDON CLINIC USING THE PRK LASEK METHOD. THE COST INC. CONSULTATION FEE WAS £850.00. THIS WAS £200.00 CHEAPER THAN NORMAL DUE TO A SPECIAL OFFER. I HAD TREATMENT ON THE SAME DAY AS THE CONSULTATION WHICH WAS 3 WEEKS AGO. I DID FIND THE CONSULTATION WAS OVER VERY QUICKLY AND ONLY 20 MINUTES AFTER THAT I WAS HAVING THE SURGERY. THIS WAS QUITE SCARY AS I FEEL THAT MORE TIME SHOULD HAVE BEEN TO PROPERLY ASSESS THE SITUATION. ANYHOW I PROCEEDED WITH THE TREATMENT WHICH WAS PAINLESS BUT THE PAIN AFTERWARDS WAS AWFUL AND VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. I HAVE BETTER THAN 20/20 VISION AND NO GHOSTING OR HALO EFFECTS. THE ONE THING THAT IS STILL BAD IS MY SENSITIVITY TO SUNLIGHT. I CANNOT DRIVE SAFELY EVEN WITH DARK SUNGLASSES AND AFTER 3 WEEKS I AM STARTING TO GET WORRIED. OPTIMAX HAVE TOLD ME THAT THIS IS NORMAL AND IF NO IMPROVEMENT IN A WK I SHOULD RETURN ESPECIALLY IF THINGS WORSEN. I WOULD BE INCREDIBLY INTERESTED TO HEAR FROM ANYONE ELSE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND HOPE THAT SOMEBODY CAN PUT MY MIND AT REST! STARTING TO WORRY THAT THEY WON'T IMPROVE SO PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ALSO.
Annette
I had Lasik on both eyes on 4th Feb, i was -3.50 in both eyes, I'm now -0.25 in my right eye (result) but -0.75 in my left(struggling more at night) its only been two weeks, will this go any better I've been told to wait at least two months post op before having an enhancement, Has anybody else experienced this and can it get better. I had my treatment done in Manchester. Please get in touch and put my mind at rest cause the reception staff are pretty useless..... Thanks
