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
Ana
I just did my surgery at Optimax Glasgow (it’s not on the list of clinics to feedback). Excellent customer service, everything was explained very well. They gave me a nice discount as they are flexible and open to negotiation. The surgeon, Dr Tariq Saboor, made an excellent job in my eyes. No pain at all, just a little discomfort. I give Optimax Glasgow, Dr Saboor and his staff, 5 stars, they couldnt be better. The miopy on my right eye didnt reach 0, but I must wait at least 2 months until eye get settled. Anyway, I can always make another surgery for free as they offer a lifetime guarantee. Excellent clinic.
ana
I made my surgery (wavefront intralase lasik) in optimax glasgow. Excellent clinic and surgeon (dr tariq saboor). I strongly recommend.
Depa
Fab service st finchley road. Great team in every week.
Post care is brilliant.
Highly recommend
John Flynn
I had both eyes done at Optimax in Manchester over 20 years ago. I was supposed to return for aftercare treatment but each time I phoned they told me they could not make an appointment for me as the computers were out of action. I never received the after treatment I was promised. They kept telling me their computers were down. I would like my eyes done again but don’t think I would go back there.
Laura Collings
I was treated at the Newcastle clinic. My prescription was -8 in both eyes and although the staff were very proud of the results in their clinic, they still advised me that as I was so short-shighted, I wasn’t to be disappointed if I still required glasses for certain things. This didn’t bother me; I’ve worn glasses for 20 years and just wanted to be able to ‘get by’ without them day to day. Within 36 hours of surgery, I had 20/20 vision. My eyes stung for a few hours, as if I had been peeling onions, so I just kept them closed and had a nap. No pain whatsoever. I developed a slight inflammation (DLK) in both eyes and have had to attend regular check ups and use stronger than normal drops. This cleared within a week. I still can’t believe what Dr Jalpota and the team have done for me! For all those people worried about the negatives, I can only say the positives are well worth it. Please be aware that when the laser burns the eye tissue, you will be able to smell this. Its obvious really,but it did scare me at the time. Other than that, lie back for 20 minutes and plan what you are going to do with your new found vision!
Catherine
I got my eyes lasered in the Hove branch in February and was really pleased with the results. Six months later I have perfect vision. My eyes are still a bit dry when I wake up in the morning and at night I still have some halos around bright lights, but that is very manageable. I was a strong prescription -7 so being completely without glasses and contacts is really extraordinary. The procedure was well explained and the surgeon was really fantastic I felt in very safe hands. However I found the instructions for after-care a bit rushed. There were 4 or 5 of us getting our eyes done that day and I didn’t think it was good to explain the after-care to all of us at once. The lady in the Hove branch was patronising and confusing. That was thankfully however, the only reason I give it 4 stars rather than 5. Every other part of their customer care, and patient care has been excellent. I would definitely recommend.
Alison Pocock
Had my right eye done on 10th December and all seemed to go OK. Surgeon was running late because of traffic but wasn't a problem because I was in the middle of an excellent book!
Went home and pain kicked in whilst in Tesco's getting some lunch. Very embaressing having to stand outside with both eyes shut whilst husband got sandwiches - sure people thought I was a wierdo!! Slept for couple of days but was able to see with the done eye earlier than the previous eye. My mum took me to the supermarket on day 3 and was fine wearing sunglasses - again looked like a wierdo, but never mind!!!
Vision in new eye seemed slightly hazy which was strange because other eye was almost perfect straight away. Wasn't too concerned because different eyes heal differently, and also had some brusising and swelling.
Had check up on 21st December and read the reference number of the eye chart instead of the last line of letters so obviously OK with distance vision! I am apparently slightly long sighted but that will settle down in due course. My previously done eye is excellent - slight astigmastism, but nothing to worry about.
Got my next check up booked for 31st January - previous eye seems perfect but newer eye sometimes gets a bit blurry but I don't not notice it unless I cover the older eye up. I think it's more to do with my eye getting tired at the end of the day after working on PC all day than anything else.
Best part of having my eyes done was going to my optition and handing over my old glasses and sunglasses for him to send to developing countries - someone somewhere will be getting a decent pair of Calvin Klein glasses!!! And of course, the fact that when it rains I can still see!!!!!
Best thing I ever did!! Anyway, I'll post the results of the check up in due course.
Alison Pocock
I have just had another check-up (Thursday 14th March)and I have been told that I am still zero in my left eye and +0.25 in my right with minimal haze. To be honest, I cannot tell that my right eye is slightly long sighted and have never noticed the haze - it all seems OK to me!
Anyway, everything is fine and I don't need to go back for 6 months!
I went on holiday earlier this month and it was brilliant to not have to fiddle about with prescription sunglasses/normal sunglasses/normal glasses/contact lenses. I went scuba diving with no problems whatsoever and with no worries about my contact lenses popping out whilst 30 metres down!!!
I still belive having PRK surgery is the best thing I ever did.
Donna Hallam
I am attending Birmingham for my consultation today, I had a bad experience on the phone line to optimax initially but once I had booked the procedure I rang back for some advice and Lisa was excellent with replies to all my questions - I have opted for the prk epi-flap consultation and all being well both eyes will be sorted today. My only concern for this procedure is the recovery time as I have 2 small children and cant really be off my feet for too long. I will update as soon as I can on the Drs name and procedure
Jan
Went to finchley road on 22/3/02 hopefully for PRK as only mild shortsight - -1.75 & - 2.25 with astigmatism. Unfortunately unable to have treatment as discovered i had corneal neovascularization in both eyes probably caused by contact lenses (blood vessels on cornea) and also eyes not recoved from wearing gas permeable lenses (be warned may take longer than the recommended 3 weeks)I am going back in 2 months to see if possible to have it done then. My surgeon Mr Ayoubi very nice but had not treated anyone with this condition before so very wary. Very happy with clinic and all staff very friendly. If anyone has also had this condition pls e-mail me.
