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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 think that people can make their own opinions about whether to go ahead with the surgery- whichever type. Yes I have had LASIK and in 10 or 20 years I may have problems with my eyes- but who knows whether it will of been induced by LASIK or just happened naturally- maybe through contact lens wearing, using sun beds or something else. I smoke but I don’t stress every time I light up about shortening my life- live for the day!
You also cannot compare stats from the US with here as they have had many disasters with laser eye surgery (i.e. cowboys doing the procedures) compared with the UK who have had minimal complications with any surgery. My optician couldn’t recommend LASIK enough to me even though he was loosing my business he still gave me all the info about the procedure and told me that I was a good candidate. I don’t regret having it done and am certainly enjoying being able to see without using contacts or glasses.
Follow on from note of 9 December. I’ve had three aftercare appointments since the operation (PRK having been -2.25 in both eyes). My right eye corrected much quicker than the left which I found disconcerting for a while but things have improved over time. I’m currently on steroid eye drops which seem to be doing the trick. I was able to drive after about 8 days but sometimes struggled to focus with one eye being stronger than the other. After about 3 weeks I was able to drive and do everything that I had hoped for without thinking twice about it. I think I expected a more immediate dramatic improvement and I did panic after about 2 weeks when I was still struggling and I started to regret having it done. I am now really pleased that I went through with it and if my left eye continues to improve and becomes as good as my right then I will be completely happy. My only words of caution are that people heal at different speeds and you may need to be patient – try not to panic if you don’t get the results as quickly as some of the people who have sent in their comments to this site, and don’t be afraid to seek some reassurance from the consultant who did the operation. I insisted on having a second opinion when things did not improve as quickly as I thought that they should and this made me feel much better.
Have now found what was causing the blurred vision. Basically my eye has been over-corrected and I now have a left eye at +0.5. This is mighty strange as I have been short sighted for most of my life and to now be long sighted is weird. To be able to read properly, or view a computer screen I had to buy a cheap set of reading glasses. They have now given me a contact lens for my left eye at +0.5. So, now I still wear contacts just as before. Basically no further forward and the pocket a damn sight lighter.
Just the other day I had an eMail from the current affairs editor of the BBC, who are doing some research on Laser eye treatment, and it’s successes or otherwise, although I’m sure it’s the others they are particularly interested in.
Don’t know if I’ll contact them or not, don’t really fancy being on the telly!
So, this site really does work, keep it up.
Went back for my 1 month post op checkup last week and both my eyes are now zero- which is great considering I was -9 and -10 before the op. Yes the op is completly painless, it is uncomfortable knowing what is being done to your eyes and being able to see around you albeit blurred, but grin and bear it for 15mins or so and it’s finished and your sight will be starting to improve as you sit up. Then just go home and sleep, put drops in as directed and watch your sight come to you (cheesy I know but it’s true)!!! Easy as that- honestly it is, I wish I’d had it done years ago. Yes Dr Patel is great- very professional and confident and his results speak for themselves.
I had Lasik treatment by Dr Patel at the Finchley Road branch on 7th January.He had been recommended to me by 2 people that i work with. My prescription was -3.5 in both eyes and id been wearing glasses for over 20 years. Throughout the whole operation he was continually talking and reassuring me, all the time letting me know what was happening and putting me at ease. It really did help.
On the way home (by tube which was a slight mistake i now feel) i did feel slightly nauseous and found it a bit uncomfortable (but not painful) to open my eyes properly but after a few hours it got much better and by the evening it was amazing what i could now see without my glasses.Its now less than a week and its fantastic to be able to see properly without glasses. To anyone who is considering getting it done i would say i have just one regret, that i didnt get it done much sooner.