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
Julia Dawkins
lens replacement went well. Following that I needed remediation treatment on one eye – lazer treatment. I was asked back a total of 8 times to review my eyes but was not explained anything about what or why I should have dry eyes. treat ment for that was hardly explained and I returned many ties without any further treatment scheduled, nor with any explanation of how they would proceed. after a year almost to the day I was given lazer remediation treatment. On the day all the proper tests were carried out before the treatment. However I overheard that my data had crashed to computer which instructed the lazer what to do. Finally after 3 and a half hours someone came to me and said they had solved their”little ” problem and work would now commence. I was really scared by the time I sat in the chair for my eye to be lazered (!) and had to say to the doctor that I just had to trust his expertise that he would not proceed if anything was wrong.
Terrible after care service and lack of information. I wrote complaining to them on March1st (I think) and still have had only an acknowledgement, but no reply to my complaiint. Outrageous! Would not reccommend to anyone.
Yvonne Green
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..
K Spears
I had both my eyes treated at the Glasgow clinic (can't remember the surgeons name, sorry). The treatment was very fast, with mild discomfort. I experienced very little pain post-treatment and apart from the antibiotic drops did not require any further 'relief' drops. My sight improvement was very impressive and very quick [I was 6/4 in both eyes, unaided, after 3 weeks]. I am now pursuing a career in the police force. I would recommend LASIK treatment to anybody [my father has now had his eyes treated as a result].
Lorraine
I had Epi-lasik on 4 Nov 2005 at Croydon with Dr Hoe. He was very nice and made me feel relaxed. The staff were lovely and held my hand during the procedure. Shame I cant say the same about the reception staff. My eyes were -4.75 & -5.00. It was quite uncomfortable having it done not nice at all but not painful. It felt alot longer than 15 mins, but then when you counting it always does. Its such a strange feeling when your having it done because they put these drops in your eyes so its all blurry like your under water, so you never can focus on what he is doing. It was no where near as bad as I expected. It goes really blurry when they take the flap off your eye. The laser made me jump as it was quite loud. It really smells when they are lasering the eye like burning rubber, I had to breathe out of my mouth because it was making me feel a bit sick, but this doesnt last for long. The clamp that they use to hold your eye open is a bit ucomfortable but you soon forget about it when they start the laser! Straight after it was a bit blurry but I could see. Went home - really light sensitive had to stay in a dark room and couldnt really open my eyes. Had pain in the left eye but only discomft in the right. Took pain killers as soon as I got in the car but these didnt seem to work. Then took two sleeping pills which were provided but these didnt work either. I wasnt in terrible pain, but it was enough to keep me awake for most of the night. When I woke the following morning had no pain at all, only slight discomfort in left eye but this went as the swelling went down during the day. My right eye didnt hurt at all, it was like I didnt have anything done to it really, only slightly red! My left eye was still really blurry when I had my bandage lenses out a few days later and right eye really good. Just had first check up on the 18 Nov and left eye still really blurry. Right eye healing well. Have been told not to worry about my blurry eye just taking its time with healing. I can feel both getting a little clearer everyday. more so the right than the left, not really disapointed yet got another appointment in two weeks so will update this after. Even though my eye sight in my left is still not perfect im not really worried as they will do a second op if it doesnt work. Im only 21 so I feel its worth all of this for good eye sight till im older, no glasses no contact lenses - bliss! Im am also the biggest baby when it comes to things like dentist etc. so if your worried dont be. The first time I went in I ran out crying! And the day I had it done I started crying when I walked in there, but there is nothing to worry about its not as bad as I imagined. Will post again soon to tell you about my blurry eye!
Brian Robinson
I chose the LASEK eye laser surgery option. This was the cheaper of the 2 different operations. However before I had the operation I had a prescription of -3.50 dioptres in one eye and -3.00 dioptres in the other, so I was quite short sighted. On the day of the operation everything was fully explained to me by the surgeon including how long the procedure would take and also all of the benefits of having the surgery. Now after the surgery which took a total of 15 minutes to complete, I can see as clear as a whistle and my vision is back to 20/20. This is the best £1000.00 I have ever spent. I would recommend OPTIMAX to anyone who is considering having treatment. I know you may think the price is expensive, but trust me it is well worth it. Brian David Robinson Swanage, Dorset
Louise Webster
GO FOR IT !! Lasik - had consultation last thursday at Leicester then booked in for lasik the following thursday at leicester - quoted price off ebay which they price matched, met the surgeon - Dr Andre Olberholster - very professional and honest, he did my treatment i was so nervous on the day but it didnt hurt at all i nearly didnt go through with it but im over the moon i did and would definatley do it all again you come out thinking what was i so worried about - it hurt more taking the selotape off the plastic sheilds that were stuck to my face. I did smell burining but just breathed through my nose and a nurse held my hand all the way though i was so overwhelmed afterwards i wanted to cry i didnt have any discomfort or pain afterwards and am getting on fine i can see and am very happy with the results the flaps are healing nicely and im due back next week so will post more then
Nic D
Well I have now received my epi-lasik treatment at the Glasgow Optimax clinic and I can see even better now, than when I wore my glasses and that's 18 days on since the procedure and I was about minus 3.50 in each eye. I was treated by Doctor Anwar who speaks to you and reassures you through the whole procedure. On the day, I wasn't nervous until I was called into the treatment room. I was asked to wear a surgical cap to keep my hair off my eyes and then went into the room to sign the last of the consent forms. I then laid down on a bed, which was pushed under the laser. The worst bit about the procedure was having the eyelids kept open with a kind of clip, as your natural reaction is to close your eyelids. You are aware of what is going on througout the procedure, but once the eyedrops are placed in your eyes you don't feel a thing. You are aware of having something wiped over your eye. You have to stare at a red light, which turns out to be the actual laser, and keep very still. By this stage I was quite anxious and did keep rigidly still but Doctor Anwar keeps hold of your head and the laser would stop and reset if you did move your head or eye. You are very aware of the staff counting the 45 seconds or so when the laser is on and you do smell something similar to burning hair, I tried to hold my breath but it didn't work. Once one eye was treated, this was taped closed and a bandage put over it and then the same procedure on the next eye. I was a bit more scared at this stage as you know what to expect even though it's not sore it's daunting. Once this eye was finished I had a clear plastic shield taped to this eye so I could still see a bit. I was quite shaky once the procedure had finished, probably just tension and nerves. I was taken out of the treatment room into a smaller room and given a glass of water. Then went back to the reception area and asked to wait until I felt ok to walk out. I was given some ibuprofen to take while in the clinic and other medication to take home. I was guided and then driven home by my husband - which is imperative, as my vision blurred completely after about half an hour and my eye naturally closed over. You do not want any light in your eyes, so I took a hooded top and a towel and placed those over my head until I got home. All I wanted to do was sit alone in my bedroom in the dark - forget about watching tv for at least 2 days. The sedatives don't help you sleep so I suggest taking herbal sleeping tablets instead and take paracetemol on top of the ibuprofen, as you get a severe stinging sensation and my eyes constantly steamed water for 2 days, which also blocked my nose. My eye lids closed up completely due to tears streaming, so I needed help finding my toothbrush etc for 2 days. The plastic shield and bandage were removed 24 hours after treatment and this is when you are meant to start putting antibacterial drops in your eyes, which was almost impossible until day 3 as I couldn't open my eyelids. I lost my appetite for 3 days and wanted to sleep a lot. My eyes after day 3 looked ok and a little bloodshot and my eyelids seemed to close more than normal. I was only able to go outside 6 days after and wore dark glasses. I even wore dark glasses in the shower and a shampoo shield I got off a baby website to keep the shampoo off my face when showering, for about 3 days. After 3 days I could see quite clearly in the house, but not very sharply outside, but the end of the 2nd week my vision outside has picked up and I've been for my first check up and my vision is 2 lines better than driving standard on the eye test chart. All in all I'm very pleased with the results, the procedure was ok a bit unpleasant but ok, the first 3 days of recovery are pretty hellish but you soon get over it when you can open your eyelids again and go back to normality without specs or contacts. Oh and I also had 2 weeks off work, due to the Christmas holidays which helped, as I was sure I could not have worked in front of a computer screen during the 1st week of recovery.
Pat Sagar
I had epi- lasek surgery done at Leeds for myopia and astigmatism May 2004.The staff were fantastic and although spelled out the facts were very reassuring.The operation was a bit scary,although not at all painful.Once the drops went in everthing went blurry and I had to stare at the red light,bit of an out of body experience.The worst bit was the smell of burning.The treatment lasted for 30 seconds for each eye.I came out of the treatment room and looked up at the clock and I could read the time,incredible I didnt know there was a clock there before.The first three days were a bit sore ,throbbing ,eyes watering as I had been warned by the staff.I wore dark glasses for a week.By the time the bandage lenses were removed I had good enough vision to drive.Two weeks later I had 20/20 vision in both eyes.It was like a miracle.Seeing the world through your own eyes and not through lenses is indescribable.I went to Greece 8 weeks after the surgery ,it was fantastic to be without specs.My vision continues to be A1 although I do need off the shelf glasses for reading which is no hassle to me.I am now 53 yrs old I wish I'd have had the surgery much sooner.I can recommend Optimax Leeds to anyone,Thankyou Optimax for everything
Patrick McGuire
Had wavefront treatment by professor Jan Venter on the 10/12/04. Five days later I drove 500 miles to the west of Ireland; it was fantastic! I can see the pixels in traffic lights and on the tail lights of cars. There was a plane which had left Heathrow airport and I could see the front wheels spinning as it took-off from the run way. Colours are more difined i.e reds, greens, blues etc really stand out compared to when I was wearing glsses; persciption was - 4.75 and - 2.75, but now I have 20/20 vision. Also my night vision is great and I am not blinded by on coming traffic anymore. If you would like to ask me any questions then feel free to e-mail me:- patrick.mcguire@emersonnetworkpower.com
Jeanette Sharples
It has now been 3 months since I had my Lasik operation at Southampton and I have just had a local check up done. My eyesight prescription was previously -6.75 and -7.00. It is now -0.25 and -0.50, a result I am pretty pleased with. My left eye seems pretty perfect to me but my right eye is still a little bit blurry, although I can certainly live with it. I have no problems with night vision. Considering how bad my prescription was initially the operation was definitely worthwhile, and it's great not to have to mess about with contact lenses!!!
Mrs Anne Foulger
Had laser treatment (both eyes) in the summer of 2001, and I have had no trouble at all afterwards, it's great to be able to see long distance, the views etc., it has made such a difference in my life. I had mine done at the Bristol Optimax Clinic, the staff were helpful and friendly, put you at your ease and the doctor I saw was Dr. M Mundasad,(one of the best he explained everything to me, the good points and also what could wrong, the pros and the cons for having it done, what to expect etc., the examination carried out at the consultation was very thorough, there was no pressure to go ahead with the treatment, you could walk away and say no thank you, book an appt: to have it done at a later date or go ahead with it the same day which I did, there was some slight dis-comfort, as if you had grit in your eye and had rubbed it, this lasted only a couple of days, I had the first eye done on the Friday and on the Wednesday I realised that I could see up the road and read the cars number plate, I hadn't been able to do that for years & years, I did at that time take the week of work just to rest the eye and make sure all went well,which it did, I know my friend who had it done before me went back to work on the Tuesday and she said she wished she had had the week of just to rest and let the brain etc., adjust to being able to see properly!!, I had the right eye done on the 8 week check up for the left eye, and this one appeared to right itself alot quicker, maybe because I didn't worry to much over it, the reason I had both eyes done was I got so fed up with the expense of glasses and 9 times out of 10 not being able to get a par to fit comfortably, and due to having Astigmatism (sorry if I've spelt it wrong)in both eyes I couldn't get on with Contact Lenses, plus the cost all the time of them. I would receomment anyone considering having this treatment to go by peoples recommendations, but at then end of the day it is up to the individual to make the decision to have it done, and if you do go ahead and get it done, please take note of any "aftercare" instructions that you are given, they are given for a reason and if you follow them you shouldn't have any problems. I have certainly no regrets in having both eyes treated.