Here at Optimax, we wholly appreciate the importance of having healthy, fully-functioning eyes and we know that enjoying optimum vision can have a hugely positive impact on your life. If you’re reliant on wearing contact lenses or glasses in order to be able to focus properly, and want to feel less dependent on those solutions, then laser eye surgery could be the answer for you.

We understand that the decision to have laser eye correction is not one that should be taken lightly and there are many factors to be taken into consideration, such as the price, any risks, timing, and what happens after you undergo laser treatment for your eyes. With that in mind, we’ve addressed all the key issues right here, including details on how laser eye surgery works, how much it costs, if it hurts and whether it’s permanent.

So, read on to find out more about the treatment and why Optimax offers the best laser eye surgery in the UK.

What is laser eye surgery?

Laser eye surgery is a procedure to correct your prescription by reshaping your cornea with the use of a high-tech bladeless laser. The need for glasses or contact lenses occurs when there are imperfections on your cornea, preventing the eye from focusing effectively. Laser eye surgery aims to smooth out these irregularities, leaving you with perfect vision.

How does laser eye surgery work?

Depending on the laser eye treatment deemed suitable, a thin layer is gently lifted away from the surface of the eye so the laser can access the layer below and correct the prescription with pinpoint accuracy.

The layer is then carefully set back in place, and sometimes protected with a clear bandage contact lens for 3-5 days while the eye naturally heals. All this is carried out using bladeless laser technology to eliminate potential complications and improve the results for every patient we treat.

We offer two types of laser eye surgery, LASIK and LASEK. The same lasers are used for each procedure and both produce outstanding results. Our optometrists and surgeons will recommend the best treatment option for you. They will consider your lifestyle and prescription to recommend your most suited procedure.

Both eyes will be treated on the same day, unless you need or want only one eye to be treated, and the surgeon will place an eyelid holder on your eye throughout the surgery, which prevents you from blinking. If you look away, the laser will turn off automatically as it will only work on an eye that remains still. But don’t worry, most of our patients find it easier than expected to keep their eyes still during the surgery.

The types of laser eye surgery:

• LASIK: (Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) eye surgery is minimally invasive and requires two lasers to complete the procedure.
• LASEK: (Laser Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy) involves just one laser and is the recommended treatment for people with thinner corneas.

At Optimax, we also use Wavefront technology, which obtains a unique map of each eye and together with other tests we tailor the treatment accordingly. Wavefront analysis is performed as part of your consultation and is included in your treatment cost. At Optimax, Wavefront and IntraLase treatment are combined which creates the Gold Standard for surgery.

Can I have laser eye surgery?

Our laser eye surgery procedures can be used to correct a number of issues, so if you rely on glasses or contact lenses in order to see clearly, you could be eligible for treatment. Patients tend to be more suitable for laser eye treatment if they are under 45, but please note that you must be at least 18 years of age to be classed as eligible. Additionally, we will not perform any laser eye correction on someone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, because the fluctuating hormones can affect a person’s vision.

Which prescriptions can laser eye treatment correct?

Short sight (myopia)

Develops through childhood and teens, affecting 25% of the population and means the focusing power of your eye is too strong. Objects at a distance appear blurred and close-up vision is clear. Laser eye surgery for myopia is simple and effective.

Long sight (hyperopia)

This means the focusing power of your eyes is too weak. You are able to view objects far away more comfortably than close up (less than two metres, or six feet). Our new Schwind lasers have proved to be excellent at treating high levels of long sight, far beyond most other lasers on the market.

Astigmatism

Occurs when the eye's shape is irregular, like a rugby ball. This condition allows only partial focus on an image, while blurring occurs at all distances. Laser eye treatment for astigmatism is very effective and is given in the same sitting as your prescription correction. It is also included in our charges (unlike some companies who charge extra for astigmatism).

Reading glasses (presbyopia)

The age-related need for reading glasses which comes to us all. There are several options that treat the need for reading glasses which will be discussed on your consultation. Youthful vision can be restored by the following methods:

• Lens surgery: If you are not suitable for either LASIK or LASEK, you may well be suitable for lens surgery instead.
• Monovision: This is where one eye is corrected for near vision and the other for far distances. Many people already address this issue by wearing an underpowered contact lens in one eye. This can be reproduced by laser eye surgery.
• PresbyMAX, multifocal laser surgery: This laser eye treatment works on a similar principle to multifocal lenses, by reshaping the eye’s surface into precise focal points. This provides good vision at all distances, whether the object is near, far, or in between. The technique can also treat visual defects during the procedure.

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How much does laser eye surgery cost?

We charge £1,995 per eye for laser eye surgery (£3,990 for both eyes), regardless of your prescription. Our prices are fixed, no hidden costs or extra payments with 0% APR finance* for up to 24 months.

*Optimax Clinics Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is the broker and not the lender. Our registration number is 723835. Optimax Clinics Limited offers credit products from Secure Trust Bank PLC trading as V12 Retail Finance. Credit is provided subject to affordability, age and status. Minimum spend applies. Not all products offered by Secure Trust Bank PLC are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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Is laser eye surgery safe?

Laser eye surgery has become one of the most frequently performed procedures in the UK and as such is also one of the safest. Your health and wellbeing are of paramount importance to us here at Optimax, which is why if we think you’re not suitable for laser eye treatment then we will not proceed with the surgery. Research in 2017 from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists found that 95% of patients were satisfied with the results of their laser eye correction, and we are proud to report that 99% of our customers achieve the minimum driving standard vision or better.

Don’t worry if you’re concerned about blinking or moving your eyes – your surgeon will place an eyelid holder on your eye for the duration of the procedure, which will prevent you from blinking. And our lasers only work on eyes that remain still, so if you look away, it will switch off automatically. The majority of our patients actually find it easier than expected to keep their eyes still during the operation.

Does laser eye surgery hurt?

We insert anaesthetic eye drops into your eye before treatment, meaning that you won’t feel the laser during the procedure. Some patients report feeling a slight pressure in their eye during the process, but many say they feel nothing at all. We provide you with eye drops after treatment to keep your eyes hydrated, reduce discomfort, and help with the healing process.

How long does laser eye surgery take?

The laser will only be on each of your eyes for a few seconds, although it’s likely that you will be in the treatment room for approximately 20 minutes. Overall, you should expect to be at the clinic for around four hours on the day of your laser eye procedure, as you will talk with our optometrists and advisors as well as discuss post-surgery medication.

Is laser eye surgery permanent?

In most cases, laser eye correction is permanent. It will not, however, eliminate age-related changes – the majority of people are likely to need reading glasses from their 40s onwards, and cataracts can still form in later life.

Why should I come to Optimax for my laser eye surgery procedure?

Here are just some of the reasons we’re regarded as offering the best laser eye surgery in the UK:

• Experience: Since opening in 1991, we have performed more than 730,000 treatments and we are the UK’s longest established provider of laser eye surgery.
• One fixed cost: Unlike some of our competitors, whose laser eye surgery cost will vary depending on your prescription, we charge a fixed price of £1,995 per eye. That fee is the same for everyone, regardless of your prescription, and there are no hidden or additional costs for you to worry about. Furthermore, you can secure your laser eye surgery with interest free credit for up to 10 months.
• Success rate: We’re happy to report that 99% of our customers achieve the minimum driving standard or better after their laser eye surgery procedure.
• Convenience: We have 19 clinics all over the UK, so you’ll be sure to find a location that’s close to you, with laser eye surgery performed in 18 of those.
• Trustworthiness: We have a rating of ‘Excellent’ from more than 2700 reviews on Trustpilot, so you can relax safe in the knowledge that you’re in good hands when it comes to your laser eye surgery procedure. Additionally, all Optimax surgeons are General Medical Council registered and are Members or Fellows of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists. You can take a look at our surgeon profiles to check their experience and qualifications.
• Aftercare: We believe that our relationship extends well beyond the moment you leave our clinic after your surgery. With our Lifetime Aftercare guarantee, you are entitled to one free laser eye retreatment for distance vision correction, should our optometrist deem it necessary.
• Innovation: We can offer you something our competitors cannot, your Laser Eye Surgery Results Forecast, which enables us to deliver a unique and extremely detailed results forecast, using our patient data. This works by matching your prescription, gender, age and location to customers in our database, therefore providing a realistic prediction of the results you can expect from your laser eye surgery.

How can I book my laser eye surgery consultation?

If you want to know more about laser vision correction with Optimax, you can request a free info pack, book a consultation or request a callback. The consultation is extremely in-depth and we only ask that you pay a fully refundable £10 deposit (for a weekday, £30 for weekend).

Should you wish to go ahead with your laser eye surgery procedure, you will undergo an assessment a week before the operation, just to make sure the surgeon is still happy to proceed. The turnaround between an initial enquiry and receiving laser eye surgery tends to be around one month and, with our 19 clinics spread around the UK, including Glasgow, Cardiff, London and Manchester, you can be sure that we’ll have a location that’s convenient for you.

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What happens after laser eye surgery?

We offer a Lifetime Aftercare guarantee which provides you with one free laser retreatment for distance vision correction, should it be deemed clinically necessary by our optometrists. We will also provide you with drops after your laser eye treatment to keep your eyes hydrated, reduce discomfort, and help with the healing process.

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Which lasers are used for the surgery?

The lasers used at top UK laser clinics include:

• Schwind
• Nidek

All laser manufacturers use world-class technology, providing high-quality outcomes, and are involved in ongoing research to bring safer, more accurate lasers to market. More details about commonly used lasers are available at All About Vision, an independent source of impartial information about vision and eye care.

Important facts to consider if you’re thinking about having laser eye treatment:

• Skill and experience of the surgeon operating the laser is the most important factor.
• Wavefront technology is the most important advancement in laser eye surgery. All lasers at Optimax are equipped with the latest Wavefront software.
• All Optimax surgeons are registered by the General Medical Council and are Members or Fellows of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists. View our surgeon profiles to check their experience and qualifications.
• Clinical studies on lasers are readily available on the internet from institutions such as the United States Food & Drug Administration.
• Optimax has been at the forefront of technology since opening in 1991 and has provided over 730,000 laser eye treatments since then.

So, if you’re thinking about having laser eye surgery and want to know more about what Optimax can do for you, why not request a free info pack, book your free consultation or request a callback. We’re here to help you gain perfect vision.