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!
sal
Had Epi-Lasek done at Croydon clinic with Professor Venter on 08/09/05. My prescription was -6.50 and -6.75 with astigmatism in both eyes. I also have thin corneas so mytomicin-c was used. The procedure was painless just a little bit weird. It was all over in about 15minutes.Its been a month today, last check-up was told that left eye is -0.50 and right eye is -1.75, and that this might improve with time, so I’m praying!!! As I am a nurse I only paid half price £595! Night vision is still a bit poor, awaiting next appointment towards the end of this month. It’s definitely been worth every penny, no more glasses or contacts. If you are thinking about having this treatment, just book yourself an appointment and get some answers and reassurances. After 2years of research I took the plunge.
Joy Collier
I had the Lasik eye treatment 7 weeks ago. I was totally impressed by the operation, it was painless and quick and although I suffered from mild discomfort for a day and a half this was all it was. By the second day I could see well enough to get by, but when I returned to work intensive computer work was a bit difficult for the first week but after that everything was fine. I have had no headaches or other side effects. I am the biggest coward going and everybody is so amazed that I actually went through with it, but I would say it is the best thing I have ever had done. Many thanks for all your help.
Les Nolan
I bought the operation as a present for my wife, who is absolutely overjoyed at being able to see when she wakes up without the need to fumble for glasses. She doesn't believe I can ever top this present. I would highly reccomend the treatment for anyone who is eligible!
Mike Grice
I would recommend optimax to anyone. I suffered about 12 hours of discomfort(not pain) following epi-lasik surgery. Within 2 weeks I had better vision than when I wore glasses. I can now read every line on the sight test chart. This has really changed my life for only very short and mild discomfort.
Graeme
I've read a lot of the reviews on here, and looked at several other websites, but I'm looking for a bit of more specific information relating to laser treatment, based on my prescription and lifestyle. If any one can offer advice/personal experiences which may help, please email me. (Please put 'LASIK' in the subject box so it'll be easier to find if it gets filtered out to junk mail!) My main concerns are: 1. My age - I am 21. Is having laser treatment at this age a good or bad idea? 2. I am a student, but I am considering a career in the police once I graduate. 3. I play rugby and am concerned that LASIK (which I think would be my only option (??)) may be a problem, as the flap never fully heals. (I play prop/second row) 4. I also at present work in a pub (smoky atmosphere), and am likely to for the next 2 years or so. I would appreciate feedback or info from anyone who has experience or knowledge of these concerns, or any other useful info. (Particularly any rugby playing policemen who have had LASIK!) My prescription is: R: Sphere: -5.75, Cyl:+2.50, Axis: 80 L: Sphere: -6.00, Cyl:+1.50, Axis: 100 Many thanks!!
K M
I am due to go for consultation and maybe treatment following day (Oct 2005) however not many comments from Bristol clinic, any reason?
Becky
I had my surgery done nearly a week ago now and I still cant get over how well my eyesight is. Sometimes I go to take my glasses off or think I need to take my contacts out but I dont. I am only 21, so I was quite scared about getting it done coz I was young. The surgery is very quick and I will say the only thing that bothered me was the clasp in my eye. However it is worth every penny. Optimax were brilliant they are very thorough and you did not feel like it was a sales pitch. If anyone is thinking of having it done I would definitely say go for it you will not regret it. I went to the optimax in Liverpool and they could not be helpful enough. Good luck.
Ryan
I had Epi-Lasik done on both eyes last Friday. Four days on from surgery and my right eye is still a tad blurry, but the left eye is healing great. I’m still slightly anxious about my blurry right eye but I’ve been told it’s normal for the eyes to heal differently. My right eye does seem to be getting clearer each day, and I have to keep in mind I’m only on the forth day of recovery. The operation was carried out at the Opitmax clinic in Manchester by a female doctor (I know it sounds ridiculous but I never got her name). She was pleasant but seemed to focus on if I knew entirely what the risks where, that made me a little uneasy. She was pleasant though, although a little quiet throughout my operation, which again made me uneasy. The operation was pain free but a bizarre experience. I expected to see a straight laser beam hit my eye; instead it looked like someone was holding a sparkler in the distance. The burning smell didn’t bother me, and honestly the whole experience was really quiet easy. As soon as I got in the car I noticed a slight improvement in my eyesight (I could see car number plates, which I’d of never be able to do without my contact lenses/glasses). Before I knew it I became extremely light sensitive, so it was lucky I remembered to bring a pair of sunglasses. I found the sunglasses didn’t help enough in the end though, and resorted to putting my dads jacket over my head! I must have looked such a diva ;) The weekend with bandage lenses was a little uncomfortable, hardly felt any pain though. I just hated the fact I had to sleep in lenses for three nights, I was so relieved when they where taken out Monday. So far I’m pleased with the results, but I’m obviously waiting for my right eye to stabilize before I say ‘it was worth the money’. In fact it’ll take me at least five years with clear vision until I’ll be able to say ‘it was worth the money’ seen as it would of cost me near the price I paid (£990) on contact lenses by then. I’d say if you where considering the operation, think carefully about if you’re the right candidate for the operation first. I suffer from anxiety more than the normal person, so this weekend brought a lot of unnecessary worry to me (i.e. am I going to be ultra sensitive to light for life? What if my right eye never repairs itself? etc) All I can say is I’m pretty sure my right eye will repair itself by the end of the week, because like I said it’s getting better each day. My left eye is pretty much like how my vision was with contact lenses in. I’m happy with the choice I made and currently have no regrets. Oh and I was minus 2 in both eyes before the operation. I’m hoping to give an update soon, but if I don’t feel free to contact me and I’ll fill you in on my progress and any question I might be able to help you with. Ryan
John McCullough
I am now being treated by optimax who have taken over the clinic in Belfast, due to time constraints I have had to fly the Liverpool to get the re-treatment carried out. But im just glad im geeting it done for a reasonable price.
Lisa burns
Had treatment done last October (have only just been told about this review site!). Was very nervous about the whole thing when I recevied an appointment for the test, consultation and treatment on the same day! My eyes were both -2.75. I went ahead with the surgery (Epi-Lasik) at a cost of £990 for both eyes at the Manchester clinic. Result: WOW!! I could see straight away but about 4 hours later my eyes were very swollen and couldnt see for about 18 hours later - not a problem because I got alot of sleep with the help of the sleeping pills!. Had the lenses taken out 3 days later which got rid of the little discomfort I had and the swelling was gone completely by day 5. I had no worries about doing both eyes at the same time and I think I would have been quite disorientated if I only had 1 done. I was signed off only 3 months later with better than 20/20 vision! I go for my first eye test with my optician since the treatment early next month - fingers crossed but I still feel as good now as I did back then. I would certainly recommend it to anyone who is considering treatment and have recommended a number of friends who have gone ahead with treatment and now wonder why they didnt do it earlier!