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
Stefy
I wouldn’t recommend Optimax to anyone, the customer service of the Bristol branch is shocking. They don’t keep to their appointment times and don’t even apologise for the delay plus they lied every time when we asked them how much longer we’d have to wait. 3 and a half hours later and according to them that was good because they can be worse!
Karen
I had epi-lasek on both eyes (-2.00) just over one week ago. The first day was very painful, anisthetic wore off after about 3 hours, eyes were streaming and had to keep them closed. Took recommended advice and took the given painkillers and sleeping tablets and slept for 16 hours. Next couple of days were a lot better, but very light sensitive, also I'm not very tolerant of contact lenses, so the contact lense badages gave me some irriatation. Spent most of the time the next couple of days resting in dark room. Day 3 lenses were taken out and dramatic improvement. Vision really good already, no pain, just slightly light sensitive. One week on excellent. Watching TV fine, driving and able to work on my pc. Well worth it!
Trevor Marshall
I was very sceptical - eye surgery on e-bay? But what a bargain. Astigmatism more of a problem than my -1.75, but a week later I'm already at legal driving level, and the wonder of being able to see! Bi-lateral epi-lasek at Birmingham. Recommend it to anyone!
Georg Wieselsberger
I am very happy with the service and the treatment in Croydon. I had LASIK on my left eye, which had -4.5 astigmatism and was midly shortsighted. I had a lot of reflections and ghosts. Now it's 5 days after treatment and my left eye is now a lot better than my right is. I could already read the 5th line on the chart on the 1-day aftercare. So I can really recommend Optimax. I've been at Croydon, treated by Dr. Venter.
Neil Langley
12hrs of discomfort,1 week eyes a bit tired. Great vision now. Legal to drive after 1 week. Thanks to Leicester clinic.
Steve Close
If you're thinking about getting your eyes lasered then stop thinking and just do it! Sure there might be a bit of pain for a few days so just sleep until it's gone. The only problem I had was the fact that my hayfever kicked in the day after surgery. So if you have hayfever keep taking your tablets and check before lasering that it's ok to do so. If it's not then put off the op until winter. I wish I'd done it years ago instead of thinking about it. Highly recommended.
Andrea Whyte
Hi Alan, I too have had laser surgery in the Belfast clinic and need an enchancement. I have been unable to e-mail you can you reply to me please? many thanks Andrea
Colin Howe
I had both my eyes lasered much more than ten years ago (please let me know!) at the Finchley clinic. The technology then did not permit both to be done at the same time so I had mine done about six months apart. I experienced pain and discomfort for a few days after each operation and it was several weeks before achieving perfect sight but the benefits massively outweigh the inconvenience of contact lenses and spectacles. My sight is still perfect and with the advances in technology, I would thoroughly recommend this procedure to anyone thinking about treatment - get on and do it!
Lee Trueman
Well, that's it finally decided to take the plunge, after 6-8 months of research. Will be going to the Leeds clinic on the 11th Aug for Topography, consultation and then Bilateral Epi-Lasek. I'm confident that there will be no issues with regards to having this treatment done, as i've had free consultations with other clinics and have been accepted with them. My presciption currently at a stable -2.75 in both with no other issues. So i'm pretty optomistic with regards to the results i'll achieve. I would like to think that 20/20 will be a good result. Keep a look out, I'll post here with updates after the procedure Regards
sally whittle
Excellent. Had surgery at Leeds clinic. My eyes were -1.75 and -2.50 and now have 20/20 vision. It was painful the first few hours, however, my husband does say I am a baby! Staff were very help and I would absolutely recommend Optimax to everyone, in fact I do. Wish I'd had it done years ago! Thank you.
Michelle Tuohey
I had epi-Lasek early April 2005. Before this my prescription was -4.00 in both eyes. I could see that my eyesight had improved drastically straight after the procedure and over the next 7 days everything became much sharper, a pleasure that I had not enjoyed without the aid of glasses/contact lenses in 20 years. Now after 2 aftercare appointments I have been told that my vision is 20/20 and that I am even reading the line below the 20/20 grading! The staff at Optimax Birmingham were excellent before and after surgery and my Eye Surgeon was very friendly,thorough and honest. This was the best decision that I had ever made. I cannot tell you how happy I am being given my eyesight back. I am on holiday at the moment and am able to swim, something I have not enjoyed since my teenage years. I would recomend this to anyone thinking about having it done, the reward is simply the best.
