<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-05-29</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001168335</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ADVANCED MEDICAL OPTICS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>EYE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001418814</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ValueAct Holdings, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>435 PACIFIC AVENUE, 4TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94133</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001418812</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>VA Partners I, LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>435 PACIFIC AVENUE, 4TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94133</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001375350</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>VA Partners III, LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>435 PACIFIC AVENUE, 4TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94133</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001351069</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ValueAct Capital Management, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>435 PACIFIC AVENUE, 4TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94133</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001351073</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ValueAct Capital Management, LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>435 PACIFIC AVENUE, 4TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94133</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001418813</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ValueAct Holdings GP, LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>435 PACIFIC AVENUE, 4TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94133</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock,  par value $.01 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7908832</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock,  par value $.01 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>902803</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-05-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>6740</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-05-29</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>6740</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12975</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The reported stock is owned directly by ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P. and may be deemed to be beneficially owned by (i) VA Partners I, LLC as General Partner of ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P., (ii) ValueAct Capital Management, L.P. as the manager of of ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P., (iii) ValueAct Capital Management, LLC as General Partner of ValueAct Capital Management, L.P., (iv) ValueAct Holdings, L.P. as the sole owner of the limited partnership interests of ValueAct Capital Management, L.P. and the membership interests of ValueAct Capital Management, LLC and as the majority owner of the membership interests of VA Partners I, LLC and (v) ValueAct Holdings GP, LLC as General Partner of ValueAct Holdings, L.P.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The reported stock is owned directly by ValueAct Capital Master Fund III, L.P. and may be deemed to be beneficially owned by (i) VA Partners III, LLC as General Partner of ValueAct Capital Master Fund III, L.P., (ii)  ValueAct Capital Management, L.P. as the manager of ValueAct Capital Master Fund III, L.P., (iii) ValueAct Capital Management, LLC as General Partner of ValueAct Capital Management, L.P., (iv) ValueAct Holdings, L.P. as the sole owner of the limited partnership interests of ValueAct Capital Management, L.P. and the membership interests of ValueAct Capital Management, LLC and as the majority owner of the membership interests of VA Partners III, LLC and (v) ValueAct Holdings GP, LLC as General Partner of ValueAct Holdings, L.P.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Exempt grant of restricted stock units issued to the reporting person under the Issuer's 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended.  Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of the Isuuer's common stock.   The restricted stock units will vest as to 100% of the shares on the date of the Issuer's 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, provided that certain conditions are met.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">The restricted stock units were granted to G. Mason Morfit in his capacity as an outside Director of the Issuer.  Mr. Morfit holds the restricted stock units for the benefit of ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P. &amp; indirectly for (i) VA Partners I, LLC as General Partner (&quot;GP&quot;) of ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P. (ii) ValueAct Capital Management, L.P. as the manager of ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P. (iii) ValueAct Capital Management, LLC as GP of ValueAct Capital Management, L.P. (iv) ValueAct Holdings, L.P. as the sole owner of the limited partnership interests of ValueAct Capital Management, L.P. &amp; the membership interests of ValueAct Capital Management, LLC &amp; as the majority owner of the membership interests of VA Partners I, LLC &amp; (v) ValueAct Holdings GP, LLC as GP of ValueAct Holdings, L.P.  The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported stock except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">The restricted stock units were granted to G. Mason Morfit in his capacity as an outside Director of the Issuer.  Mr. Morfit holds the restricted stock units for the benefit of ValueAct Capital Master Fund III, L.P. &amp; indirectly for (i) VA Partners III, LLC as General Partner (&quot;GP&quot;) of ValueAct Capital Master Fund III, L.P (ii) ValueAct Capital Management, L.P. as the manager of ValueAct Capital Master Fund III, L.P. (iii) ValueAct Capital Management, LLC as GP of ValueAct Capital Management, L.P. (v) ValueAct Holdings, L.P. as the sole owner of the limited partnership interests of ValueAct Capital Management, L.P. &amp; the membership interests of ValueAct Capital Management, LLC &amp; as the majority owner of the membership interests of VA Partners III, LLC &amp; (vi) ValueAct Holdings GP, LLC as GP of ValueAct Holdings, L.P.  The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported stock except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>Joint Filer Information:

Name: ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P.
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94133
Designated Filer: ValueAct Holdings, L.P.
Issuer and Ticker: Advanced Medical Optics (EYE)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: 05/29/08

Name: ValueAct Capital Master Fund III, L.P.
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94133
Designated Filer: ValueAct Holdings, L.P.
Issuer and Ticker: Advanced Medical Optics (EYE)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: 05/29/08

Name: VA Partners I, LLC
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94133
Designated Filer: ValueAct Holdings, L.P.
Issuer and Ticker: Advanced Medical Optics (EYE)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: 05/29/08

Name: VA Partners III, LLC
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94133
Designated Filer: ValueAct Holdings, L.P.
Issuer and Ticker: Advanced Medical Optics (EYE)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: 05/29/08

Name: ValueAct Capital Management, L.P.
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94133
Designated Filer: ValueAct Holdings, L.P.
Issuer and Ticker: Advanced Medical Optics (EYE)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: 05/29/08

Name: ValueAct Capital Management, LLC
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94133
Designated Filer: ValueAct Holdings, L.P.
Issuer and Ticker: Advanced Medical Optics (EYE)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: 05/29/08

Name: ValueAct Holdings GP, LLC
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94133
Designated Filer: ValueAct Holdings, L.P.
Issuer and Ticker: Advanced Medical Optics (EYE)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: 05/29/08</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VALUEACT HOLDINGS, L.P., By:  VALUEACT HOLDINGS GP, LLC, its General Partner, By:/s/ George F. Hamel. Jr., Chief Operating Officer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VALUEACT CAPITAL MASTER FUND, L.P., By:  VA PARTNERS I, LLC, its General Partner, By:/s/ George F. Hamel. Jr., Chief Operating Officer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VALUEACT CAPITAL MASTER FUND III, L.P., By:  VA PARTNERS III, LLC, its General Partner, By:/s/ George F. Hamel. Jr., Chief Operating Officer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VA PARTNERS I, LLC, By:/s/ George F. Hamel. Jr., Chief Operating Officer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VA PARTNERS III, LLC, By:/s/ George F. Hamel. Jr., Chief Operating Officer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VALUEACT CAPITAL  MANAGEMENT, L.P., By:  VALUEACT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC, its General Partner, By:/s/ George F. Hamel. Jr., Chief Operating Officer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VALUEACT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC, By:/s/ George F. Hamel. Jr., Chief Operating Officer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VALUEACT HOLDINGS GP, LLC, By:/s/ George F. Hamel. Jr., Chief Operating Officer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
