Optical Express Ireland Reviews 

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

I am writing this review to express my extreme dissatisfaction with Optical Express and the laser eye surgery I underwent in 2015. Despite their claims of being a reputable provider, my experience has been nothing short of a nightmare.

After the surgery, I was left with a host of vision problems that were not adequately addressed by Optical Express. Firstly, I now require glasses to see properly, which defeats the purpose of the surgery. Additionally, I developed an astigmatism in my right eye, causing further visual distortions and difficulties. I have immense trouble perceiving white objects against a dark background, and now even have 'visual snow' and dark shadows in my right eye when looking at anything bright which causes me to have severe headache and petrifies me. Moreover, I have been suffering from dry eyes upon waking up, forcing me to spend my own money on expensive eye drops for the past eight years.

My attempts to reach out to Optical Express for assistance during the aftercare period were met with negligence and unresponsiveness. They failed to address my concerns and misled me about the healing process. It became apparent that their focus was solely on financial gain, rather than ensuring patient satisfaction and well-being.

The recent response from Optical Express, claiming that the issues I am facing are solely due to natural changes over time, is unacceptable. These problems have significantly affected my quality of life and are indicative of substandard surgical outcomes. The suggestion that I pay for further procedures and consultations, after having already spent a substantial amount on the initial surgery, is nothing short of a money-making scheme.

I implore anyone considering laser eye surgery to think twice before trusting Optical Express. Their lack of accountability, inadequate aftercare, and dismissive attitude towards patient concerns have left me deeply disappointed and frustrated. I hope that sharing my experience will serve as a cautionary tale for others and encourage Optical Express to improve their services and take responsibility for their actions.

It is crucial that potential patients are aware of the risks and shortcomings associated with Optical Express. Seek out other reputable providers and thoroughly research your options before making any decisions regarding your vision health.

I sincerely hope that no one else has to endure the same ordeal I have faced with Optical Express.

I had the nose pads on my glasses replaced at the Gyle store.
Excellent service. Very quick and professional and pleased with the results.
Would recommend for all your optical needs.

Had lens replacement surgery in Glasgow thanks to the team in edinburgh,thanks to Paul and liz,they got me a quick appointment in Glasgow for my surgery where Dr David teenan and his team took over,the professionalism of all both in edin/Glasgow is second to none thank you all for such a pleasant experience 47 days from start to finish back driving my taxi and I'm 71 years old you saved my career

Had multi focal lens replacement surgery in Chelmsford branch. Initially ok but soon suffered from fogging and photophobia (night and daytime glare) which is getting worse. I now need sunglasses Indoors as well. Was told a YAG was necessary in both eyes to clear the fogging. Surgeon agreed to Yag one eye per separate visit and extend my after care accordingly. Had the first Yag but now ignoring all requests to arrange the second. Another of their opticians stated I may need the multi focals changed for clear lenses to stop the glare. Suggest to get anything they offer in writing.
I’ll be going legal in a few days if I'm still being ignored after a recent stumble and hospital trip to A and E.
Recent legal case for similar sight issues cost Optical Express 500k. Check out the Imperium Law case. The Mirror investigation and many others online.
Don’t be fobbed off people.

I had cataract surgery done on my right eye, the staff at St Vincent St Glasgow were brilliant, very attentive and caring and that also goes for the staff at the shop on Union St Aberdeen, they couldn't have been more helpful if they tried. As I was very concerned about the eye treatment the staff put me at my ease from the word go, it was a very painless experience. Thank You.

0 stars, closed my local branch and didn’t inform only found out when I ran out of contact lenses apparently it is illegal to wear contacts if you have not had a check within 12 months I had been wearing mine for 14 months, no duty of care! Lied to repeatedly from call centre staff and instore staff currently fighting for my prescription to be sent to me so I can go elsewhere disgusting customer service, they obviously do not care about there customers, only profit, go elsewhere for eye care as they don’t care

Found the consultation process very impersonal. The 'presurgery expert check' was a lady in a call centre reading off a script who couldn't even answer my questions about if it is ok to take a betablocker on the day.

Then my surgery was cancelled on the day only just hours before. The lady who called was unapologetic and said that the head office will hopefully call me to rearrange some time, not very reassuring.

I visited the johnstone branch on the 20/2/23 for my routine eye check the staff were all very helpful and polite so thank you all very much see you next time
Ellie hay

Booked a cataract lens survey , went to oxford from wallingford and the lab technician was off sick. They didnt bother letting me know, a day off work! Nice manners

I haven’t been happy with my last pair of lenses and trying to get the problem resolved is impossible, I have received the wrong lens and subsequently sent, only to receive the wrong lenses again, despite my best efforts over months and contract with them for many years, they clearly don’t want my business, no one is interested and eye strain is becoming the norm!!

Eye surgery 13th June 2018
Optical Vision in Exeter Devon UK my prescription was -5 or -6 per eye
Had the surgery paid 4k
1 year aftercare included
Had eye appointments 1 week, then 3 months check up etc

My vision starts getting blurry 05/02/2020
I go to optical express they say it's dry eyes- even though report says right eye -0.50 left eye -0.75
I pay £50 for check up

I try eye drops for a while
Migraines start around this time start of covid- I go to doctor he says I should go for eye appointment

I go to Specsavers 27/11/2020 my vision was 0.75 per eye they say I need glasses

Eyes seem to get worse even when using eye drops
I go to optical express for another eye appointment explain what has happened they offer a free appointment on November/ December 2022

They say my vision has changed and they offer me a free consultation on 14th November 2022 to see if my corneas are thick enough for further surgery

They contact me later on to say it's not free and that I'd have to pay £100 I refuse and ask to talk to head office and complaints department.

I go to Specsavers 24/11/2022 for an eye test they say my vision is -1.50 each eye. I buy glasses

Optical express head office call me 20 working days later explaining that policies say 1 year guarantee cover only and that there's no compensation, no discount on further surgeries I tell them I'm not happy they don't do anything to help.

I have been wearing glasses or contacts 20 years now and wanted to get laser eye surgery.
From the second I filled in the form looking for a pamphlet to be sent to me I was hounded by a sales call centre, I took the first call, explained I was at work and filled in form on my break and could I reschedule the call for when I was finished work. Despite agreeing I got 7 missed calls in the next 4 hours.
Like a fool I still made an appointment for the Newbridge store for a suitability appointment.
The optometrist was rough and rude. He accidentally poured too many of the drops they use into my eye and When he shone the light into my eye I blinked away a tear that formed and he loudly gave out to me saying it was ‘uncooperative’ of me.
After my appointment I requested an appointment with the surgeon as I had questions and concerns that the optometrist couldn’t answer. They booked me an appointment with the surgeon in Tallaght, but called several times to cancel and rebook in the next 24 hours. at this point there was no way I was going to go with a company that was so unprofessional from the get go and went to another laser clinic in a Dublin private hospital who were far more professional (and cost less per eye). I do want to say the girl who greeted me in Newbridge and looked after me (Rebecca) was absolutely fantastic, she’s the only good thing about this company and she deserves credit for that.

I have now been waiting nearly 2 years for my surgery and just today cancelled .
They after nearly 2 years said they couldn’t give me a date .
Never kept me informed as to what was happening.
Just took my deposit and left me waiting.
Ask how long surgery is going to be before booking
Never again .

I just want to say Thank You so much optical express, fantastic service!
I had cataracts and underwent surgery on the 22/11/2022 , I went for the post operative check the next day , 20/20 vision less than 24 hours after the procedure!
I’m literally blown away!!!
Amazing staff and wonderful service.
Thank you Andrew Giblin for answering all my questions promptly and professionally.
Thank you Hardip/Aaron/Henrietta and all front of house for being friendly, professionally and making me feel so welcome.
Thank you to all of the fabulous staff at lakeside ( especially Kira who had to endure me sobbing down the phone when I thought the op was going to be postponed)
Thank you to David for looking after me so kindly after my op, what a gentleman!
Thank you to the wonderful anaesthetist Dr M James for listening to me and putting me at ease.
BIG Thank you to handsome Andras , we had such a laugh even if I did make him blush! , lovely charming man, makes all the difference when you are nervous.
But my BIGGEST and most heartfelt THANK YOU goes to Professor Jan Venter, what an incredible and professional man, from seeing him in Chelmsford for a private consultation as I was very nervous and I particularly wanted to ask for advice on which lenses were most suitable for me ( I had done my own research and was looking for reassurance that they were going to be ones that I too would like ) , he listened carefully to my concerns, didn’t rush me, and put me at total ease, to performing the operation quickly and completely painlessly while keeping me calm, I felt very confident in his hands despite my obvious nerves.
I take my hat off to you optical express, you have the most amazing, incredible staff/team that are an absolute credit to you.
You come 100 % recommended.
THANK YOU, you have literally changed my world
Tracey Lewis

This company is the worst ever, they do not care about you and your needs, they don't see you as a patient, they only care about their business and the money. They were harassing me when they were trying to make me commit to have a surgery done with them, calling me three times a day for weeks. When I accepted to have the eye tests done and get some information from their optometrist, they were not very informative and did not answer all my questions but they were very pushy so I would book the surgery and further info from the surgeon. I was never quite sure that I wanted to have the surgery done with them, because I wanted to have the lens implant surgery and they were pushing so I'd book the lens replacement (!!!) surgery instead. After I payed £500 deposit just to have the chance to speak with someone else so I could ask all my questions, I decided that I would not have the surgery done with them, they were very shady with their replies and it felt like everyone who I spoke with just learnt a script and kept giving me the same replies over and over without actually addressing my doubts. Anyway, I spoke with the receptionist (Michelle Mackay) from the Bridgewater clinic in Manchester on the 26th October 2022 to request to cancel my surgery and asked to have some form of confirmation about this. She assured me that someone from their team in Glasgow (the same ones that were harassing me for days on the phone) were going to get in touch with me to arrange for that and for my refund. Well, it's 23rd November now and after several emails and phone calls, NO ONE from Glasgow has contacted me and of course they have not arranged for my refund yet. Please, do not fall for their lies, these people don't care about you or your eyes' health, they only want to keep pushing you with lies so you book the surgery they want with them. Imagine if they act like this from the beginning, what kind of care would you receive in case you actually have a surgery done and need help from them afterwards?

The check up I had from Alberto at Eldon Square in Newcastle, was the best, most thorough and comprehensive review I have ever had at any opticians. I can honestly say he is the very best optician I have every had a check up from. Definitely a 5 star + experience not only for his technical expertise but also for his manner and helpfulness.

After never receiving a call back after 2 request I made the call to book our family of 4 into our regular branch.
This time we've been told that they now only accept 2 members of 1 family at a time, so they want us to make 2 separate trips out to them.
Obviously a change of policy as it was never a problem previously.
Not sure why a family been seen together at the same time is such a big difference to them, than booking 4 slots over 2 days, but obviously it is a business decision.
Cancelled all appointments and now lost 4 customers & word of mouth want be positive.
Policy actually is very discriminative to families

Had laser eye surgery last year and achieved 20/20 vision. Now only a year later vision has regressed backwards significantly to the point where I have to get glasses again. (My prescription has been stable and I’m only 24 years old) I paid over £4,000 for the initial surgery and now I’ve had to pay £100 just for an aftercare appointment. Very concerned that my vision will progressively get worse and I will have wasted all my life’s savings.

It appears they do not care about patient wellbeing at all. Will be looking into legal action.

Maidstone branch. Fantastic service and experience. Adrian was so professional and resolved my dilemma immediately. Once my new glasses had arrived I got a phone call and Adrian said he would deliver to my door as he was visiting his relatives nearby. Been with this branch for years and wouldn’t go anywhere else.

Auberto was excellent and provided a great service