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!
SIMON HARTILL
Already posted twice before in March and April 06. Went for my 6 month checkup last week at Southampton. Surgeon was Dr Ayoubi. Right eye was 20:10 and left eye was 20:20, so an excellent result for LASIK I was -6 in both eyes before surgery. Still use the moisturising drops after waking up and after cycling as the wind can dry your eyes. Very happy with result. I use binoculars, telescopes and microscopes quite a lot, makes it much easier without glasses!! £1400 well spent in my view.
Janice Brandwood
I had Lasik with Wavefront at the Liverpool branch on 28/09/06. Didn't feel a thing. Dr. Madhusudhan is a man of few words, but makes you feel calm about the whole procedure. I have a check up on the 03/10/06. Still find it a bit strange from looking at things in the distance and then to reading, but hoping things will improve over the next few weeks. The staff at the Liverpool brance where really nice and helpful. Would recommend it and don't be worried because it doesn't hurt and have had no pain at all.
Donna Chalk
I had femtosecond lasik with wavefront on 1st September and found the whole procedure to be painless and far less traumatising than I'd expected, given some of the reviews I'd read! Dr Patel, who was very informative and caring throughout, performed the procedure at London Optimax. Vision afterwards was a little hazy but definitely immediately improved. I had no pain at all afterwards (just a little grittiness for a couple of hours) and returned the following day to find I had gone from -4 and -3.75 to -1 and -1.25. My vision fluctuated a little for a couple of days, but now 4 days later seems to be improving daily. I feel as if a miracle has happened!! Please don't hesitate if it is fear that's stopping you - there really was nothing to it! I feel liberated now - no more searching for glasses in the morning or fiddling with lenses before bed. Will post outcome after my 1 week check-up. Donna Chalk 5.9.06
Lyndsay
I had femtosecond Lasik surgery last Thursday at the Croydon branch. To be honest I'm quite disappointed as my vision is till not 100%. I know it does have a tendancy to fluctuate and it is still very early days, but everyone that has had the femtosecond seems to have 20/20 vision next day - is there anyone who has had any problems? My eyes are very blurry and I have good days and bad - I've been told I'm at driving standard, but I feel I'm not as I can't see number plates clearly and don't have the confidence to and I've been driving 12 years. If anyone has had the femtosecond Lasik, please let me know how you got on!
Silvia Burt
I had femtosecond,wavefront Lasik at the Birmingham on 11th Sept 06 and my pre op sight was -4.50 & -4.75. I had wanted surgery for a while but have been pregnent & or breast feeding for the last 4 years and finally managed it. My husband did all the research and bought it through ebay for my birthday, it seems a bit naff as it was my eyesight but it saved us approx £500. I met the surgeon Dr Madhusudhan at the initial consultatation and although a man of few words he had a sense of humour and soon put me at ease.He performed the op 6 days later and I can honestly say there was no pain at all,just a strange feeling and some discomfort but over and done within 30 mins.I returned the next day for a check up and he was quite smug that all had gone well and I already had 20:20 vision. At the seven day check I was given a full test which indicated I was slightly over correctd at +.50 which I was advised was a good result as over the following weeks my eyes would regress slightly hopefully to 0. I have experienced no pain during or after the op,I have no problems with night vision I can't wait to go swimming with my boys or tell you what a joy it is to wake up and be able to see. My advice to anyone who is considering it would be go for it. Silvi
Lucy
I had epi-Lasek performed at the Peterborough clinic last wednesday and am already back to work 5 days later. So far so good! The procedure itself is painless, as everyone on this site seems to agree, but the pain afterwarrds for about 24 hours was pretty bad. My eyelids were swollen and my eyes were streaming for hours. Fortunately this cleared the next day and I was just left with a feeling of really heavy eyelids and a sensitivity to light. All of these symptoms went on the saturday when I had the bandage lenses out. I was told my eyes were healing well and to keep using the refresh eye drops for as long as i needed to, although that's not very often now. I'm almost at driving standard and can carry out my day to day activities as normal without any trouble. I'm noticing a slight improvement in my vision everyday and have been told it can take up to 6 months to fully settle so I'm not too concerned. Overall, i wish I'd had it done sooner! Good luck to anyone about to go through the procedure, I'm sure you'll find it was worth it.
Ramit
I want to get LASIK with WAVEFRONT done on both my eyes from OPTIMAX. But anybody have any idea about their Liverpool clinic? Which surgeon operates there and how good is he? Any information about the Liverpool Optimax clinic would be helpful.
lynn
Hi I'm booked in for a consultation and surgery with Dr Hynes at Manchester at the end of September has anyone had any experiences of him and the Manchester clinic.
Jas Somel
I am due to have a consultation at Optimax (Birmingham) with Dr Madhusudhan - can anyone provide me with experiences they have had as I am extremly nervous at the moment
Barrie Parham
I had epi LASEK treatment at the Bristol clinic. The procedure itself was quick and painless. The surgeon placed tempoary contact lenses on both eyes afterwards and they remained there for 5 days. I am not used to wearing them so I found them very uncomfortable and I had difficulty sleeping. When the lenses were taken out my eyes were very painful and the vision poor. The pain eased after 24 hours but it has taken nearly eight weeks for my eyes to heal. Initially I was very dissapointed with the level of my eyesight but the optician kept reassuring me that it would improve. And to be fair it now has and it is almost pin sharp for distance - but as I have said it has taken some time in my case to get to this point.
