Irish eyes are smiling as Optilase celebrates homegrown success

It is heartening to hear of Irish success stories in the world of business — and even more heartening to hear that the business owners are very proud that the product they supply is 100 per cent Irish-owned and locally based.

The success of Optilase is one such business — a sister company of the well-known chain of Therapie clinics, Optilase was one of the first independent laser eye surgery clinics in the country and has state-of-the-art clinics in Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Belfast, and Derry, and more recently clinics in Galway, Longford, and Athlone.

In just a number of years, the experienced team of surgeons have carried out more than 40,000 laser eye surgery procedures, and are leaders in their field in Ireland, Europe, and worldwide.

Managing director Philip McGlade is delighted that the company is benefiting from the fact that it is Irish-owned and has created hundreds of jobs in Ireland over the last few years.

In addition, it is bringing laser eye surgery to the regions by allowing customers to have all their pre-care and aftercare appointments in a clinic convenient to them.

Speaking to the Galway Advertiser recently, Mr McGlade expressed his pride in the fact that the business remains Irish-owned, the success of the clinics, and the continued growth of the company has been maintained.

“Therapie is a family-run business, set up by my father Paul 10 years ago. I took over the business three years ago, since then we have opened 10 new clinics and we also set up the Optilase laser eye surgery. The business has actually expanded through the recession and in the last two years employed 100 extra people.

‘I’m proud that it’s an Irish-owned company’

“Galway was the first clinic we had outside of Dublin and we expanded from there. The city of Galway was chosen because of its young demographic and large female customer base. It stood out from the other cities,” he said, adding that is the Irishness of the company, the fact that it is creating jobs around the country that makes him most proud.

One would have thought that laser eye surgery would decline with the recession, but it has been the reverse with more and people people realising that laser eye surgery is a more cost-effective way of managing your sight than costly and often irritable contact lenses.

A lot of people have been thinking about laser eye surgery for a long time so there has been plenty of interest. The way they look at it, once the procedure is done, they do not have to spend money on glasses and contact lenses which can be very expensive. The technology has got so much better too. People are also so much more aware these days, most know someone who has had it done.

And with Optilase, the process could not be more simple: Customers can avail of free one hour consultations during which all options are fully explained and an assessment is carried out to ensure that a particular procedure is suitable for the client’s needs. The procedure itself is carried out in the Optilase purpose-built clinic in Dublin by a consultant ophthalmic surgeon. Following the procedure the post-op check-ups take place at the clinic in Galway.

Everyone has questions they want to go through, about the procedure, and meeting with the surgeon.

“We go through all the different options, what would be best for them and best for their eyes. We try to minimise the amount of time a customer spends in Dublin,” says a spokesperson. “The following day, the person has a check-up in the Galway clinic. The prices range from €495 per eye, starting with a basic procedure suitable for relatively low prescriptions, to a maximum price of €1,600 per eye and includes all six check-ups and all the eye drops as well as the life time after-care guarantee.”

At Optilase results speak for themselves, with 100 per cent of patients achieving driving standard or better, and 99 per cent achieving 20/20 or better. In addition, a lifetime care guarantee is standard with all of the treatments which further reflects the impressive standard of care afforded to every patient.

Optilase enjoys much success

Located at the same premises as its sister company, the prestigious Therapie Clinic, the expert and friendly staff at Optilase have enjoyed much success in correcting the eyesight of thousands of its customers.

Optilase offers a full range of the most advanced treatments and customised procedures including LASIK, LASEK, and IntraLase laser eye surgery as well as Premier and Advanced CustomVue WaveFront laser eye technology at competitive prices, with the added security of a lifetime care guarantee offered as standard with all treatments.

Munster Rugby star Doug Howlett underwent laser eye surgery at Optilase Clinic last year, and now boasts better than 20:20 vision.

View Doug Howlett’s Experience with Optilase

“I really can’t believe how this has changed my life, it was easily one of the best decisions I have ever made,” said Howlett. “I simply can’t recommend Optilase highly enough – I just wish I had done it sooner.”

Laser eye surgery was first introduced in the 1970s and is now one of the most advanced and commonly-performed elective surgeries, having helped to improve the vision and lifestyles of more than 30 million people worldwide.

Optilase (located at the same premises as Therapie) in Shop Street is open Monday 9am to 6pm, Tuesday to Wednesday 9am to 7pm, Thursday 9am to 8pm, Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm, and Sunday 11am to 6pm.

For more information contact 091 539900 or +353 1 223 8821, email info@optilase.com, or alternatively log onto www.optilase.com.

Author: Declan Varley from Galway Advertiser