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
Guy Marshall
Had my 2 week check up on Friday and everything is fine. I had bi-lateral Lasik treatment to correct -4.5 in both eyes. Even though Doctor Hynes wasn't scheduled to see me one of his patients was late so he did the checkup. My eyesight is better than 20/20 for both eyes. I'm still not out of the habit of reaching for glasses in the morning and heading to the bathroom to take my lenses out at night though.I'll post again after the final checkup in December.
Shirley
My friend and I are due to have bilateral lasik next month, and we are both starting to panic! We are booked into the Ipswich branch with Dr Fraschetti, I believe he used to work at the Bristol office. Does anyone have any experience of this surgeon/clinic, we are starting to wonder whether it would be better for us to have one eye done at a time. If we do have each eye done seperately, how soon can we have the other done and is it really worth us doing it this way. Please advise as we are already getting nervous and we have got three weeks to go yet!!
Steve Lewis
I had LASEK treatment in June 2003 at the Southampton Branch of Optimax with Dr Ayoubi initially I got to a stage of having 20/20 vision in my left eye but within about 6 weeks I have a misting created by scar tissue which has caused everything to be very blurry. I've been given drops to try and clear up the misting which I need to take for 6 weeks but apparently in some patients can last for up to 3 years. Fingers crossed everything will be ok but as yet has no real improvement. My right eye is now good enough to meet driving standards. Steve.
Enda Norton
Hi, Re: Dr Islam – Optimax - London Clinic I was just wondering if anyone out there has had any experiences of Dr Islam in the London office. I am due to undergo Lasek treatment on the 4th December and am getting very, very nervous and would appreciate some honest, independent feedback. Thanks - Enda Norton
Hollie
ADVICE NEEDED!!!! I am a student taking up the offer of 2-4-1 LASIK treatment with my TWIN sister! We have our consultation and treatment appointment booked with Optimax in Birmingham. The reason it is so cheap is because they want to make it affordable to everyone (im quoting/paraphrasing) Can anyone tell me about Dr Hill? His biography is quite extensive although obviously I would love some reassurance :) We're both 22 and -6 to -7 Hollie
June Waite
I went for my consolation at Optimax (Manchester) and everything was going fine until the consultant was looking at the lenses in my eyes. He then said I was not suitable because I have the early signs of cataracts in both eyes. Thats not a nice thing to find out when you are only 44. June
Shirley
I had bi-lateral Lasik on Wednesday at Optimax in Ipswich. I had my post-operative check-up the day after and was told by the surgeon that I had a graze on each eye. I woke up on Friday with very hazy vision. I managed to see the surgeon at midday and was diagnosed as having DLK. I have been told to take steroid drops every 2 hours. Can anyone let me know if you have had similar problems and if so, how long the blurryness will last and if it caused any long-term complications. From Shirley
Natasha Mason
I am presently researching about PRK, as I would like to get it done myself. I have just read the following in Paul Hill's PRK Experience in the UK on the links page and i was wondering, out of those who have had the PRK procedure done, who agrees with this? "Short sighted people such as I (-2 dioptres) have very good macro sight (that is for distances closer then, say, 20inches) I've noticed that for distances further then this my treated eye is superior but for closer distances my untreated eye takes over. Using a highly accurate system (arular) I have found that my untreated eye can obtain sharp focus down to 3 inches (amazing) but my treated eye can only focus down to 4.5inches BUT the image is also smaller which means I see less detail. Now I have been told that the normal distance to get sharp focus is around 10 inches and I did have a 'reading test' with Mr O'Brart which showed I was perfect but I feel I'm loosing something by having surgery. Moan Moan moan..... :-) Also the amount of effort required to focus my treated eye close is quite extreme and I get a headache quite quickly. I guess that my eye muscles haven't had to work as hard as this before - relying on corrective vision and all."
Jeremy Whitehouse
I am just about to book Lasek treatment at the Brimingham branch of Optimax with Dr Gopee - His CV is impressive, but i would appreciate comments, good or bad, from anyone he has performed Lasek on.
Natasha
I am looking into booking Lasek treatment at the London branch of Optimax. Can any past London patients please give me their opinion on the doctor who did their treatment. I want to do the 2-4-1 offer, but don't want to forfeit half the quality, so rather scared! If anyone can help it'd be most appreciated, thanks :)
