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
Fred Parker
My first appointment with Optimax in Hove was for a brief consultation. The morning, 22nd August, of the appointment they rang and cancelled just as I was about to leave the house as the optician hadn’t turned up.
The next appointment went as planned (26 September) and then I was booked in for the full assessment on 21st October. The appointment was for 8:45 in the morning and the optician eventually rolled in at 9:30, by which time other patients (victims) had started to arrive.
I have previously had laser surgery, around twenty years ago, and also had a cataract in the right eye. It is only the right eye which needs treating.
At the end of the appointment the optician said that he would have to contact the surgeon to find out if it was going to be possible to carry out the further treatment on the eye and he would be in touch in a few days. As I was leaving I asked one of the receptionists to confirm the cost of the treatment and she said that it was £395 per eye.
After three weeks I rang to find out why I had not had any contact regarding the date of the operation. At this point the receptionist told me that if I wanted to pay the surgeon direct I could do so and not have the operation through Optimax. Amazing! This woman is sitting in Optimax, Hove, and stealing the clients away from the company as she and the surgeon have their own little scheme running.
I asked about the cost and she said that the Optimax price is £1600 per eye (so where did the £395 come from?) She also repeated that if I dealt direct with the surgeon it would be cheaper.
I am still waiting for her to ring back – 29th. November 2016!
DLW
Has anyone had their surgery at the Manchester clinic and can you recommend the surgeons there?
David McCann
I had lasik done a couple of months ago and whole-heartedly recomment dr osman at optimax aberdeen clinic. I went for their limited half price special offer. They were very upfront with me and honest and I felt confident in putting all my trust in their capable hands. Everything was laid back, done at my own pace and very informative. I was impressed with the reassurance and suitability of treatment. I felt very comfortable when I was advised that they had turned people away because they were unsuitable. "Girls have begged dr osman to do the surgery and cried when he said no" I knew of the risks, dry eyes, surgical complications but when I thought about it; going on a plane has it's risks - it could crash, even though highly unlikely, it still has the tiniest possibility of happening. The ceiling could fall down in the surgery. It all sounds far fetched and it is, all though these things are possible they are highly unlikely. Dr Osman said "nothing will go wrong" and I believed him, I put myself into his hands and I'm glad I did. He talked me through the whole procedure and saw I was nervous. The only real thing that did scare me was the noise of the machine, it was quite loud and unexpected, I wish I had known it all beforehand but I guess it has to make sound and it's comforting to think that it has a back up generator incase there's a power cut. I was -1.25 in both eyes with astigmatism and now 0 with better than 20/20 vision. I could read every line on the eye chart the day after treatment and before, I could only see half of it without glasses. I was in tears with happiness. I remember all the fear and doubt I had beforehand. Thinking there's no going back if something goes wrong but that's my imagination for you. The consent form is scary which you have to sign but it's merely a matter of formalities, crossing the t's and dotting the i's and does outline all the risks which are all really non appropriate. My opinion after reading all the literature from a collection of websites is that if you have major eye problems then dont get it done! I'm so grateful to my mother who told me to get it done after she had hers corrected. Good luck and best wishes. David, Greenock, UK
Seeta
I had Lasik and wavefront in both eyes in Aberdeen on 30th May. I was -3.00 and -3.25 with astigmatism. My left eye is not quite 20/20 but my right is. I have been told it takes a few months to settle down, but combined they are 20/20. All the staff were friendly and helpful. Dr Osman was very informative. The procedure was pain free. The procedure is just slighlty uncomfortable but so quick. The eye clamps are the strangest things. No pain afterwards. Was out and about the next day for flight back to London. My recommendation, if you are suitable then have it done. I am typing at the moment without glasses. It is brilliant to be able to drive without glasses or to be able to look in to a cooking pot without glasses steaming up!! Its nice to be be able to see your face without having to wear glasses!
Di
Thanks to eBay - had my surgery 11th May at Croydon clinic, which I would highly recommend. Had to have epi-Lasik & wavefront which was more painful than expected (had to take week off work to recover) but vision is now brilliant. Left eye 20/20 - Right eye still a bit "hazy" but getting better every day! Would highly recommend Optimax and Croydon clinic.
Lucy
I too had my surgery at Bristol on Friday 13th April and went for my check up yesterday. I was -8 in both eyes pre op so effectively I was blind however yesterday I was told I now have 20/20 vision whch was great to hear. I had trouble with my left eye not healing as fast as my right but after 3 weeks everything was fine. To be told I had 20/20 was the icing on the cake! I would recommend this to anyone but remind them they will need to be patient with regards to the results.
Andy
I had Lasik with femto and wavefront, on April 19th. 6 weeks later, things are going well, however my left eye vision is not quite the same as my right - bit like there is a thin layer of film over it. If I could peel it off, all would be great. In bright light conditions, its all good, but in low light, or darknes, it is all still quite blurry. Also no sign of the halos and starburst around car or street lights subsiding yet. Would really like to hear from anyone else who is as frustrated as I am. On the whole I'm very happy, I guess I'm just a little impatient ! LOL
Jill
Had Lasik Wavefront on Friday 13th April (yes I know!) at Bristol with Dr Saeed. Consultation went well Dr Saeed is very pleasant and went through the produce with me and confirmed what treatment he thought best, he didn’t try to sell me anything I didn’t need and answered all my questions and reassured me. I previously went for a consultation at Optical Express and this was a totally different story, didn’t see the doctor who would perform the operation and the chap I did see was very hard sell and made me feel very uneasy about the whole thing. Had the operation at 7.15pm on the same day as the consultation was supposed to be three hours earlier but things were running late (this is my only real complaint). Was very nervous by the time I went in for the operation and it was freezing in the operating room – one of the nurses kindly covered my legs up with a blanket! The operation was not painful and the worst bit was definitely having the dreaded eye clamps and the flaps cut. There is a slight burning smell when they use the laser but it’s not really a problem. All in all the procedure was uncomfortable but not painful. That was six weeks ago now and my vision is now +1 in my left eye and +0.25 in my right, pre-surgery I was -3.50 in my left and -4.75 in my right. Am told it is quite normal to be longsighted for a while after surgery and it can take up to 3-6 months to settle down but all in all it’s pretty good, amazing not having to wear glasses anymore, although I still catch myself trying to push them up my nose! Good luck to anyone out there who is going for surgery, definitely glad I had it done and looking forward to continued improvement. Can definitely recommend Optimax in Bristol – give them a go.
Julie Wiils
I had epi-lasek in March pain for 5 hours would recommend this to anyone.Folow up appointment now better than 20/20 vision in both eyes PERFECT
jo larkins
Can anyone give me some feedback about the Croydon branch of optimax?
Rhiain Thomas
Dr Masilamani, my surgeon was fabulous, he put me at ease straight away and made me laugh in the consultation! Unfortunately the receptionist was extremely insensitive when an issue arose on the day and if it hadn't been for the fact that I liked the doctor so much, I probably wouldn't have gone ahead with it because of her. Never mind, I am now contact free and very happy!
