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
Julie
I go to the Glasgow clinic (Dr Anwar) tomorrow afternoon for lasek, my eyes are -3.25 and -3.74, no astigmatism. Must admit I'm a lot more frightened than I thought I would be having gathered all the facts - try http://faculty.washington.edu/vismatt/eyeknowwhy/ - very good site. Anyway, if all is successful and I can see afterwards I'll post my experience here. Why do I keep feeling I may never see again ? Is this normal fear ? Argh...
toni
I actually work for Optimax and would be happy to answer any queries you may have about your appointments, doctors, success rates etc. Feel free to email me with your questions!!
Toni
Optimax don't offer aftercare appointments with doctors unless there is some sort of problem. The reason being that you have to pay for the doctors time. It is normal practice that an optometrist will see you for all of your aftercare appointments, unless of course it is an emergency!
Toni
The best advice I can give you is to ring the clinic you attended for your treatment. This can happen. You may have rubbed your eye and not realised. Don't worry. If you have any problems get in touch
Danny
Hi, I'm gonna have 'treatment' in Optimax Finchley Road but cant decide which one to go for, Epiflap or Lasik? My eyes are suitable for either but i'm trying to weigh out the options. I've heard that with Epiflap you cant drive for 7-10 days after treatment, is this true? The higher risk of Lasik obviously is deterring me but i'm attracted to the faster recovery. Please reply with your comments or feel free to e-mail me. Thanks.
Toni
With the epiflap procedure we don't advise you to drive until you've had your first aftercare, which is normally between 5 and 10 days after treatment. This is due to your eyes being quite unstable for that time. Epiflap does have a longer recovery time, but is a lot safer than Lasik. You're best off speaking with the doctor, who will be able to outline all the risks involved, and help you make a decision based on your eyes. Everyone is different. Any questions, email me!!
Danny
Hi again, I've finally booked myself in for Epiflap with Dr Islam at Finchley Road. I havent read any comments on her so if anyone does have experience with her, could you please contact me. I am constantly changing my mind between Epiflap and Lasik and am still considering changing for two reasons: 1. I have read only good reviews for Mr Patel @ Finchley Road 2. Recovery time is faster and less painfull. Any more advice/reassurance would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks, Danny.
Craig Ross
I am surprised that anybody is prepared to let someone interfere with their eyes on the basis of anecdote. Spend at least a working week (40 hours) doing structured searches of academic journals. LASEK can only be used up to 4D? In fact there is little or no difference between LASIK and PRK/LASEK at almost all levels or treatment. What you are looking for in science is a prospective and randomized trial - so taking a couple of hundred eyes with an average of -9.5 dioptres (i.e. people for whom LASIK should be the only option), and a range of -6 to -15, they gave half LASIK and half PRK. The result at thirty days? The LASIK group had slightly better best corrected visual acuity (i.e. with glasses if they needed them) but the difference was not statistically significant. The PRK group had slightly better uncorrected vision, but this was not statistically significant. Three of the LASIK group had the nightmare of flap complications. This study was a number of years ago and similar studies have been done since, but nobody seems to care because LASIK is supposedly pain-free, requires surgical skill and allows a rapid recovery. Your cornea is half the thickkness of a credit card - if someone said that he proposed to split it edgewise with a motorized razor blade and then perform a procedure, or you could omit the razor blade bit if you could tolerate the equivalent of welder's flash for two days, which would you pick? I should add that after the razor blade procedure the only thing holding on the front of your eye will be the epithelium, a twentieth of the thickness of a credit card and so weak the Prison Service will not accept anyone who has had this done. There are also new concerns that perhaps the 250 micron limit used in LASIK to calculate the portion to leave undisturbed may be nowhere near enough, and there may be a wave of ectasia cases down the line. Still feel like trading 10 days driving ability?
Danny
Hi Craig, Thanks for putting it to me in that way. I've been thinking about it since my last post and have decided to stick with Epiflap for a number of reasons: 1. I only have one pair of eyes so if I can reduce the 'risk' in by sitting through a slower recovery, i'm prepared to do so. 2. Visited the optimax website and Epiflap is recommended for people with my eyesight (under -3.50) I'll let you all know how it goes. Many thanks, Danny.
Steve
I have booked into Optimax for Lasek treatment at the end of this month. I am now concerned after visitng this web site that their rating is much lower than many of the other clinics. Do people who have had treatment with optimax think this is due to the quality of service (i.e. friendliness of staff or after care treatment) or the treatmeent itself is not as successful. I ask this as many of the negative comments are related to service rather than the treatment..
