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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 PRK in both eyes 3 weeks ago, still a bit blurry in the right eye-is this normal-will it go? apart from this everything was brilliant and painless, would recommend it to anyone-prescription was -3.50 in both eyes! would appreciate any feed-back on the time scale of healing
I had my LASIK op on 19th October at the Aberdeen clinic, with the surgeon being Anupam Chatterjee. I am now almost 7 weeks post op, so I feel it is a good point to give a balanced view. My initial consultation in September with Leanne was very detailed and at that point I had not carried out much research, so the guidance at that stage was excellent.
I had some initial concerns about the surgeon, due to some comments on areas of this website, but found him to be efficient but not over detailed. The actual operation was fairly straightforward, however at this point I would like to state two specific areas which affected my own situation.
Firstly I had planned to take a week off post op which was a wise move as I could not have worked with a computer 24 hrs after the op. Secondly I did not have the dramatic feeling the next day of perfect vision, it was better, but I knew it was not as good as with my contact lenses or glasses. The 24hr post op examination confirmed my concerns, both eyes were swollen and I was not at driving standard. This came as a bit of a shock and after frantically checking this website I realised this did not seem to be that common. I then decided to be extra diligent with the drop application and as the week went by I knew my sight was improving. However due to a personnel shortage the clinic cancelled my 1st week check, which was a concern to me due to the fact that I was using one set of drops two hourly and the guidance notes specifically stated that usage should be no longer than a week. Eventually I managed to speak to an Optometrist from the Edinburgh clinic who advised me to decrease the usage straight away.
I ended up with my 1st week appointment being 13 days post op, at which my vision quality was improving. I had my most recent check-up yesterday and my vision is good, although my eyes can be a little irritable at the end of the day.
The Aberdeen clinic seems to very busy, I recommended a work colleague, who had her op about a month ago, so it is nice to compare notes. However some money off vouchers for recommendations arrived yesterday, so I hope the clinic accepts mine post op!!!! for my recommendation.
The staff in the clinic are very nice and seem to be coping with the newness of this clinic.
Anyone who has seen my previous 2 comments regarding PRK will see my rating has gone down! I went back to Liverpool branch for a check up on 19th November. The lady optician I saw told me my left eye was fine (which it is) but the blurred vision in my right eye was due to the surface of my eye being a bit rough, and I should stop taking all eye drops and just use artificial tears. About 10 days later the consultant phoned me (bit worrying) to ask what eye drops I was on. I told him about the appointment on the 19th and as advised, I had stopped taking eye drops. He asked to see me ASAP. I went in first thing the next morning and he seemed quite relieved after he did an eye test. Apparently the lady I saw on the 19th had put totally the wrong information on my computer records and should NOT have advised me to stop using the eye drops, they are to help with the scarring that is causing my blurred vision in my right eye. The consultant told me, if the scarring had been worse, NOT taking the eye drops for 10 days would have caused a problem, but since my scarring wasn’t THAT bad, it should be ok. WELL THANKS A LOT!!!! I was a bit dumbfounded while there, being told all this was a shock. Only after I left did I think, “should this woman be working??” I am writing to them for an explanation.
On a lighter note, (I think we need one here) my left eye is doing great!
Further to my posting below, I went for my 1 week check up and my eyes are L -0.25 and R 0.00. What a result!!!! I arrived early (that’s London traffic for you- unpredictable) and they saw me early and answered my list of post-op questions about things like rubbing eyes, eye drops etc, and off I went- until my next check-up in a months’ time :)
Update from previous posting…
had my first check-up on the 2nd Dec. The appointment went ahead early and I had a thorough expert check-up.
I now have near perfect distance vision in my treated eye but close vision is worse but is improving.
So I now have what they call “monocular vision” – one eye good for distance the other good for close up. Their advise is to wait until my treated eye settles down before making a decision about treating the other. It could be a better bet to not treat my other eye so I should not need reading glasses in the future. The strange feeling of having different focus is slowly going – my brain seems to know which eye to use at different distances!
Marvellous to now drive without glasses.
Apart from the initial discomfort I am very pleased Optimax advised PRK Epiflap and to treat only one eye – this now gives me options.