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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.
Our Testimonials
I had gone to Manchester Optimax through convenience as I had relatives nearby, I am 39 years old. Excellent customer care. Staff friendly and helpful. Dr Hynes was wonderful& very honest. Great having the same doctor from consultation to surgery. I had Epi Lasek as Lasik not suitable – only mild discomfort for 24 hours max then fine. could see practically straight away – wonderful !! Can see better than most my friends now! Feel like I have x-ray vision! Should have done it years ago especially with the interest free! My follow up appointments now show me as having 20/20 vision ! A big thank you..
EPI-LASEK
I saw Dr Ayoubi at the Ipswich branch on Wed 16th Nov. Very charming and calm surgeon.
After the consultation, had EPI-LASEK treatment after 1/2 hour. No pain and the surgeon talked all through the op, very re-assuring.
1st Night, lots of pain and kept up all night. I even tried to sleep upright on the sofa in the living room but still kept on waking up. Painkillers and sleeping pills did not work at all.
2nd Day, eyes watering a little less but the painkillers eventually worked. Listened to a lot of radio, which was probably the reason as to why I went to sleep at 8pm and woke up 8am. A good sleep due to lack of sleep the night before. Left eye functioning a lot better then the right.
3rd Day, looked forward to having the bandage contact lenese out. Even though a regular lenses wearer, I felt really uncomfortable about sleeping in lenses for two consecutive nights. What a difference though when they did come out, comfort levels rose so much.
4th Day, eyes still improving but the right eyes was much more blurred compared to left eye. I put it down to worse prescrition ( L=-3.50 R=-3.75)and astigamatism. Anyway it was good (or bad!) that I was able to see a little bit of X Factor by Saturday night.
Strange how when you use antibiotic drops or refreshers the eyesight becaomes perfect. Hence I can only imagine that I need more time to heal the Epilithium
The good news is that I see continual improvemnet each day. Roll on Day 5.
Let's hope for 20/20…….
I am a 60 year old male living near Alton, Hants who has been promising himself laser eye surgey to correct poor(ish) long distance vision (-3.25 thingies in each eye) for years. Finally, with my 60th just behind me and armed with a personal recommendation from a recent acquaintance, I started the ball rolling. I searched the web site, phoned the call centre and got a consultation for the Southampton office on 15 Nov 05. From the supplied literature I was a bit confused as to what I should be aiming for. I really felt that correcting both eyes was a logical route and that Lasik would be the best treatment. Why? To be honest I'm not entirely sure.
Anyway, late Tuesday afternoon I met with Dr Ayoubi after having a simple on site test. He is a charming fellow and explained what he thought was best for me taking into account my age and prescription. It now seems likely that instead of Lasik for both eyes I will be going for Epi-Lasek in just the one eye. That in itself is a personal advice based decision but a factor that impressed me is that Dr Ayoubi's recommendations will reduce my anticipated bill by almost two thirds. To me, that clearly indicates good advice rather than good sales patter. I am now testing out the mono vision route via a single contact in one eye which is quite an experience. Because I am going skiing over Christmas and early Feb, the most likely date for my operation is late Feb 2006. But, the ball is rolling and I will have something done soon.
I had Lasik in Southampton on 28th October with Mr Ayoubi. My prescription was -6.75 and -7.00 with astigmatism. Mr Ayoubi was brilliant, very professional and confident. The operation didn't hurt a bit and straight afterwards I was delighted that I could see the Exit sign, and people at the other end of the room. By the middle of the following morning though I was quite alarmed that my vision had gone blurry although speaking to some friends who had the same experience reassured me a bit. At my aftercare appointment a week later my eyesight had improved a bit. It is now nearly 2 weeks later and I am pleased to say my eyesight seems to be improving every day. I have been told I have driving vision although it takes some time getting used to driving with a bit of a blurry edge. My vision goes up and down a bit at the moment, sometimes it is great, sometimes it is blurry especially when I am tired or have been on the computer. On the whole I am glad I have had the operation.
Hi all. I recently had epi-lasek on both eyes at the Birmingham clinic on my 50th birthday, 15th October 05.
Today (29th Oct), I have just returned from my 2nd after-care appointment and my vision is better than 20/20.
After listening to advice given to me during my consultation, because of my age, and because of my need to see close up stuff ( do a lot of fishing), I opted for the mono-vision option, where one eye is undercorrected.
What fantastic results!
I have to say though, the first 24hrs were agony! I found it impossible to sleep even with a couple of strong painkillers and the pills given me to help me sleep!
But I persevered with the antibiotic drops and the other drops and the other drops popped in last thing at night, and I am amazed that I can see so well. After all these years of relying of specs, and putting up with the discomfort of wearing them, I would recommend this procedure to one and all!
Best birthday present ever – even if I did buy it for myself! he he he