Optical Express Ireland Avis 568

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

Fabulous attention and service today from Ekelina in the Gyle Centre shop. Thank you for helping me out with a pair of glasses that needed a new screw.

I visited the Darlington branch as I am interested in lens replacement surgery.
The level of customer service was exceptional; extremely friendly and professional, the staff made me feel comfortable and relaxed. All my concerns were addressed and the whole process was smooth and efficient making me feel confident in the surgery I am scheduled for.
I find it convenient that, although I need to travel to Newcastle for the actual surgery, my initial consultation was at a local venue.
I’d like to thank Mandi especially - I was caught out by unexpected rain and she kindly gave me her umbrella (insisting that I could keep it!) as I had to spend a few hours in town, before driving, while I waited for my vision to return to normal after dilation. This is ‘going the extra mile’ for customers, though it felt throughout that the service was performed authentically and naturally, and not in a mechanical ‘this is how to give good customer service’ way.

Recent appointment at Maidstone Optical Express, I just can’t thank Adrian and Karlie enough for their outstanding warm, caring welcome, their kindness and commitment to customer care. Despite being really busy they were both so attentive. Thank You 😊 x

Worst company ever. Both my parents need cataract surgery. They told us that that wee need to pay £9590 for both their surgeries.
Initially they informed us that if you have one eye done, you get discount on the other one. But at the time of payment they changed their story. I paid for everything they asked me upfront. About 3 days later they called me to say that they have made an error with regards to my father 's figures and it should actually be £7600 and not £5600. Transmitted repeatedly that it is an error made by them, but wanted me to pay for it. I refused to do so and raised a complaint. Complaint was raised over a week ago and I have not even received an acknowledgement email so far.
Now they are doing everything they can to get that money off us.
They charged me £600 for an interpreter for 15 X 2 mins = 30 minutes. I was informed that they have to have an external interpreter for legal reasons, however same interpreter can be used for both my parents. Surgery only takes 15 minutes and as my parents are having the treatment one after the other on the same day. Interpreter is paid for the full hour. This afternoon I received a call bottom their head office asking me if anyone from my family is able to do the interpretation. I reminded them of the legal requirements of having an official interpreter, so the lady went away. Later on in the evening I received another call asking for another £600 for another interpreter as 1 is not enough.
This company is an absolute nightmare. They have wasted so much time, better to stay away from them. I would never recommend this crook company to anyone.

Was sold this procedure as lifetime cover they were great for the first year. 2 years down the line one of my eyes is playing up I keep on seeing shapes I rang the head office now and been told and I have to pay for a check up. I can't see how this is lifetime cover not happy

I went to optical express in Liverpool mainly dealt with Kevin the manager, ok here is my experience I originally booked in for mono focus lens replacement in both eyes paid in full but after a few days I cancelled because I was concerned I would not read maps as these were for distance only. Kevin asked me to at least talk to the surgeon in Manchester to which I refused I was convinced it was not for me, so he kindly refunded me in full.

However after having time to really think it through I rang Kevin back and explained that I wanted a lens that would be similar to my contact lenses which I can read, read maps, drive, an see long distance, he said to me the best I can offer you is just go an talk to the surgeon, they have more info than we can offer here, so I said OK I'll give it a go.

So I went to see the surgeon a few days later wow was I glad I went he put a machine on my eyes an showed me how my new eyes would look, he basically said its lucky you cancelled other week because a brand new lens has been getting tested for 2 years up in Glasgow, we here in Manchester have now got it as from last week an it's compatible for me, so basically I could read maps, read an text, an see long distance with this new lens, it's called ihance multi focal micro lens which in a nut shell is like having my contacts in, as one eye was stronger than the other so one does the near vision and one does my distance but there working together just like having contacts in.

So I contacted Kevin back in optical express in Liverpool an paid him again.

Well I got my surgery on 21st July 2022 so I turns up, I wont lie I was petrified, the surgeon was asking was I ok I said no I'm really scared, he said look we can't talk you into anything but what is it your worried about, me being a coward ha with me being awake I'm thinking about the pain he just looked an laughed an said, I assure you if that's your only concern you won't feel a thing, I replied sod it I'm here now let's do it so in I went I swear to god I never felt a single thing. It only took 15 min per eye an I was done I come out an I could see name badges on the nurses already, I could read reg plates I was over the moon with excitement. The next day I was reading my maps even better than having contact lenses in, I'm still in the recovery period taking my eye drops every day every few hours but I swear my sight is amazing, my only biggest regret is not doing this years ago having said that the lens I've got was not out then, so maybe it was meant to be who knows but I'm over the moon. I can go to bed not worried about taking lenses out, wake up not going into the bathroom putting lenses in an also not having to pay £46.50 per month for contact lenses as I've spent 12k on lenses over the years, so if your thinking about it my advice is stop thinking just go for it because you won't regret it. I'd just like to say a massive massive thank you to Kevin an all his staff at Liverpool for putting up with my paranoia, but he was right all along saying I'm silly to miss out on this opportunity so thanks to him I went ahead. Also I'd like to thank to all the staff an surgeons at Bridgewater wellnes clinic in Manchester, they were also amazing from the minute I walked through the door to the minute I left with a huge smile on my face.

Beware - Aftercare very poor.
Paid thousands for Lens replacement surgery. I picked my surgeon based on information given on website based on his experience.
One week before surgery i was told i had to change surgeon. I wasn't 100% happy and just wanted the job done. Surgery was ok and eyes were perfect after a few days. A few months later, eyesight was getting blurry and flashes of light more intense. On the next check up they said it was the darker nights and nothing to worry about. I told them on the next two appointments i wasn't happy. On my 12 month appointment, i rang in December for a January appointment..... No answer then got hung up. i then emailed.... no reply, i i then called and got an appointment middle of January. i mentioned the blurry vision again so they did some tests and said there was an issue will a pocket at the back of the lens. I asked if it was covered under the 12 months aftercare package and guess what.. NO! , the answer was that i was 3 days over the 12 months since i had the surgery. They kindly offered to do Yag laser treatment for another £1500. At this point i went to head office to complain. no joy so they then said if i didn't want to pay that i should go through the NHS.
So in a nutshell, i would give them a wide berth.

I have my eyes Lasered through optical express and I can honestly say it’s the best thing I have ever done! The team were great and very nice to deal with!
Thanks guys ☺️☺️

Terrible terrible experience and am only writing this to warn people of my dreadful experience with them and warning people not to believe all the good things they say about themselves.
I just needed new mono focal cateract replacements for both eyes which BUPA was funding.
Was told that it would be done in their Glasgow clinic and that I must be driven both ways and book at my expense to stay overnight in a hotel.
Clinic was difficult to locate and no parking facilities. I had disclosed my full medical history and insisted I wanted to speak with the surgeon who would be operating as I had various health problems. One being high level anxiety which can spike my controlled normal BP. On arrival I was told BP was okay and procedure would go ahead. Unfortunately I was kept waiting for FOUR hours in a very stressful environment. Staff were not wearing masks correctly and scanning equipment was not cleaned between using with another patient.
I had to re do the long form I’d already completed. You have to initial each condition and I had queried a few. I realised it was all about making sure neither myself family or friends would sue them if anything went wrong. This made me anxious as did the long wait with no explanation as did the fact that they insisted on payment of my excess on BUPA which I queried but was told untruthfully they had rung and checked with BUPA. I found this out afterwards when relaying my experience to BUPA who confirmed they had not been contacted and never want you to pay until they have been invoiced. When challenged the staff member pretended she had never told me she had contacted BUPA. After my four hour wait for the procedure I was told one more check and then I would have the procedure. This was a BP reading which due to severe stress and anxiety caused by the above incidents my BP had gone sky high and I was told no procedure would go ahead I’d have to re book.
My GP had advised if this happened to take a sedative he prescribed but they refused to let me do that because they said I wouldn’t be fit to consent. I could have obviously consented before I took the sedation.
I think in retrospect I had a lucky escape and have now had very successful cateract surgery at a lovely very clean and hygienic hospital by a caring understanding surgeon who operated at the time I was given.
Optical Express has been given ample opportunity to apologise but still insist I am to blame. Please think twice about using their Glasgow clinic which seems to not treat patients as individuals.
Just want to add that I have just read other reviews from poor people who have also had terrible experiences with Optical Express and feel very lucky to have escaped their clutches with both eyes still intact and not having had money conned out of me. I understand now about the long forms because so many people must have tried sueing them!!
Small update. Keep getting emails from this dreadful company. Never a sincere apology glossing over everything making out the dire service was all my fault and still telling fibs. Please don’t trust them unless you have nerves of steel very deep pockets and all the time in the world and dishonesty isn’t a problem for you. The women that signs these letters won’t speak directly over the telephone she’s far too important to actually speak to the people who are essentially keeping her in a badly executed job. Having read the other reviews perhaps she is too busy writing letters trying to defend the indefensible.
Please save yourself lots of upset by using another company, I did and am so pleased I did.
Oh please I’ve rung three times to explain but you just blame everyone else for your incompetence dishonesty and plain nastiness please people take my advice so many really good lovely places who will do your cataracts with hygienic and comforting and lovely professionalism. Anyone in Scotland try the Kings Oark Hospital in Stirling you will have a great experience compared to Optical Express who just care about getting as much cash out of you as they can con. Nasty nasty company with dishonest staff.

Be careful when paying your £500 deposit as you only ever get 50% back if you cancel !!!!! Even if you haven't signed the documents, it doesn't matter

I booked a consultation and after it I was asked to pay a £500 deposit. I explained that I play golf and would want the procedure later in the year, perhaps in November. That was too far away they cannot make appointments. I was advised to make an appointment at a date sooner and then change it. I did this and was asked if I wanted my £500 back or left as deposit. I said its 6 months away so give me the money back and I can pay it at a later date nerer to November. I was told you only get back £250. I said I haven't signed the green form, the terms and conditions document. I was advised that she didn't go through the form as I didn't look like someone that would cancel !!!! I complained and the complain has taken 20 working days to finalise. So they won't refund me my £500 because its states in bold on Page 7 above where the signatures are this "BY APYING YOUR DEPOSIT YOU ARE ACCEPTING AND AGREEING TO KEEP TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. THIS APPLIES EVEN IF YOU HAVE NOT SIGNED THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. Now how can i be bound by something that was not shown to me ?? As far as I am concerned it is shady dealings and anyone paying any money should be aware of this

I spent over £600 in store not given or option to buy bag to carry home Had to carry them in my hands Staff very unhelpful won’t be back have spent a lot of money on designer glasses in store

There are people who bring skill and experience to their job. And then there are people who combine that with a wonderful humanity. That has been my personal experience with Optical Express, Dublin and Cork. Everything was made effortless for me and staff sensitively calmed any fears. And of course, I have wonderful vision now.
It seems unfair to single out anyone but I will limit myself to two only - Colm in Dublin and Issac in Cork. I'm hugely indebted.

Absolutely fed up with them. Made an appointment for 12 February for an eye test as felt eyes had changed. I have my glasses and contact lenses from them, with a direct debit for the contact lenses. The manageress questioned why I wanted another appointment so I explained and was abruptly told that there should be nothing wrong with the contact lenses as my last check up was only a year ago! The excellent optician was very thorough and I ended up with a completely changed prescription for both. Ordered new glasses and updated contacts. Got the new glasses in 2 weeks And the trial contacts on 9 March. The glasses needed the prescription altered so I phoned to make another appointment which was on 23 March. Asked the optician to check my sight with my contacts too, as well as the fit, which was fine. Glasses sent away for prescription adjustment. The lenses were ‘signed off’ and I returned the ones that had come by post which were the previous prescription. Was told they should be with me before I needed to change them on 8 April. Phoned on 6 April to be told glasses were in. Apparently had been for a couple of days but no one had phoned to tell me. Went to collect same day. Reminded them I needed to change my lenses on 8 April and they said would chase it up. A week later, no lenses. Phoned to be told they had been sent out on the 11th. Phoned on 13th and was told they had been sent out on the 11th. And again on the 16th. Didn’t get the shop that time but Customer Services instead. They said they should arrive by the 22nd. Phoned yet again on 21 April. Told then they would again chase the direct debit order up and order me a trial pair again which would arrive at the shop in a couple of days. Asked them to phone when they arrived. Yesterday a pack of 3 lenses for each eye arrive by post. No solution or cases which I pay for with the direct debit too. Went to put them in today. One of them is the wrong strength!! Totally dissatisfied with them. Will be visiting the shop tomorrow. I think I will be cancelling my regular direct debit and get them on-line.

Update from my post on the 30.12.21
Since my last post Optical Express got in contact with me and and arranged an appointment. So I went to the appointment and long story short surprise surprise I need Lazer surgery to correct my sight. I just received a call today 23.04.22 to be told that I would have to pay for this treatment as it wasn't picked up within the first year even though during one of my appointments it was said they might refer me for laser cause the sight wasn't great but then changed their mind saying it would probably correct itself.

So to recap I paid a lot of money for lens replacement back in September 2020 and was put through a terrible ordeal as one if the new lens broke while being fitted. I was on drops for ages. I kept telling them something was wrong but they really don't care they said the eye problems was down to dry eye and there was nothing they could do.I had to get a eye test done for work in December 2021 so only 15 months later and I failed the test. I was told I would need glasses.
So now I have dry eyes my sight is blurry need glasses and all Optical Express can say is it can be fixed but for a price.I'm absolutely disgusted and very upset with Optical Express. So please think twice before you get any treatment done from this company cause their aftercare is terrible and they only want your money.

I’m at my wits end waiting for my 3 month batch of contact lenses to arrive yet again. I’ve been with optical express for years but their service has rapidly gone down hill last few years. I’m now without any lenses and having to wear glasses which I never ever wear outside of my own four walls. It’s affecting my confidence and no exaggeration well-being. I can’t drive in bright sun light as I only have non prescription sunglasses. I’ve called them numerous times over last few weeks to ensure the lenses had been dispatched. They said I must wait 10 clear working days to receive them. This has now passed and they say they’ve reordered them to be sent to the store instead. No one ever calls back, I’ve raised a complaint but I dont expect that to resolve anything any time soon. They send their lenses out too close to when you need to replace them. I pay each month for my subscription and now left with none. It’s making my job hard, and seriously affecting mental health. Can’t do make up, and have big events coming up where I simply cannot wear glasses. I do not feel comfortable wearing glasses out and pay them for a service and goods which they are not fulfilling. Terrible service , they promised I would get a call back to arrange to pick up some lenses to tie me over but no one has. One person said today they can’t do anymore than re order them. Shocking and so upsetting

Fantastic service, friendly, professional and warm. Fabulous range of frames and speedy transaction. Very pleased with my local Optical Express in Aberdeen and Stuart Cox the manager couldn't have been nicer or more helpful

I book an appointment with them 5 days ago.since that moment I receive at least 35 phone calls from them.i feel harassed and I'm not going to attend the appointment

Never get any response to calls, contact lenses takes ages to be dispatched, staff at call centre were not even aware they sold contact lenses. If the boxes weren't £3 cheaper than vision direct, I would happily never use Optical Express again.