Contrary to popular belief, good vision does not automatically imply that your eyes are healthy. In fact, some of the most serious vision problems have no symptoms at all in their early stages.
This is why it’s important to see your optician to get the best services for your eyes’ health.
To help you out, here are our picks for the best opticians in Ireland for your family’s eye care needs.
How much do opticians cost?
In Ireland, the cost of an eye exam varies based on your specific circumstances and location.
There are financing options available for optometric treatments and procedures can be paid for in a variety of ways. Your private health insurance may cover some treatments in part or in full.
In addition to this, there is a variety of eyewear to choose from differing in price due to design, features, and form.
That said, the estimated costs for tests and eyewear are as follows:
The Best Optician in Ireland
We assessed the optician based on the following criteria:
1. Dixon Hempenstall Opticians
| Background and expertise | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Range of glasses | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| • Prices | ★★★☆☆(3/5) |
| • Brands and styles | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Efficiency | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Customer feedback | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| • Customer service | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| • Overall satisfaction | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
A family run business that was founded in 1908, Dixon Hempenstall Opticians definitely has an established background and expertise in providing customers with well thought out options for eyecare.
What stands out to us about their services is their wide and comprehensive selection of eye examinations. We really like how thorough and exhaustive they are when it comes to this aspect.
It reasonably takes only about 45 minutes to carry out their examinations and what’s more is that they include tests to check for potential eye diseases like macular degeneration.
Customers can also be assured that they use the most updated equipment which includes an Ocular Coherence Tomography, perfect for in-depth eye scans.
Another great thing about Dixon Hempenstall Opticians is that they have dedicated services for very specific categories for eyewear. For example, their children’s eyewear section accommodates vision tests and comfortable eyewear options for younger ages.
On the other hand, they also have services for prosthetic eyewear which can be more difficult to find in other commercial opticians. We really appreciate that they can attend to different needs regardless of the individual’s conditions.
We do however recognize that their brand selection might be more limiting in terms of prices. They have brands like SALT and Gucci and although they are more stylish and of higher quality, the prices of these options are on the higher end.
In the end however, if you’re looking for quality eyewear with a wide selection of services, Dixon Hempenstall Opticians stands out as one of our top choices.
Pros
- Has the latest equipment for thorough eye scans
- Optometrists with extensive training and experience
- High-quality eyewear
- Large selection of designer glasses and sunglasses are available
Cons
- Tallaght branch has limited operating hours
- Pricier range due to carrying more premium eyewear brands
Customer Reviews
High, quality service
“A high-end optician which is more expensive than specsavers and its ilk, but justifies it with higher quality service.
I bought a pair of glasses there in 2007, and I still have them. The glasses have repeatedly broken and gotten loose. Each time, they fixed it for free! I was expecting to pay upwards of €100 to fix my horribly mangled set of frames, but all free!
Donal O Malley, upstairs, is my optician and does an excellent job. He has more than 30 years of optician experience and has seen every issue before.
While I could be given a stronger prescription, and while other opticians have suggested I need a stronger one, he tells me that my eyes will just degrade faster if I do. So a small bit of discomfort now for much bigger benefits later, boom.” — Gearoid O.
Great product selections
“I’d been going to the dancing chain of opticians all my life and was bored of the frame choice. So though I’d try a more local Irish-owned business. Dixon Hempenstall on Suffolk Street feels like it has a history behind it. The staff were very friendly and more than happy to give advice. I really loved the frame selection here with a great selection of male, female and unisex frames available (don’t forget to look in the drawers below the displays). Overall was very happy with the service and the eye exam was up to scratch too. – Brian H.
2. MacNally Optician
| Background and expertise | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Range of glasses | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| • Prices | ★★★☆☆(3/5) |
| • Brands and styles | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Efficiency | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Customer feedback | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| • Customer service | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| • Overall satisfaction | ★★★★★(5/5) |
Mac Nally Opticians focuses on designer eyewear and skilled eye care. They are an excellent option if you’re looking for an optician that combines style with convenience.
Their physical store is easily accessible in the center of Dublin, located at the Huguenot House. What’s more is that they have a solid background with over 25 years of experience and a highly knowledgeable team of people.
From fashion and style to different eye conditions, we highly recommend visiting their store if you’re looking for advice on all things eyes and eyewear.
What makes Mac Nally Opticians great as well is that they have a thorough set of eye tests available. They can pinpoint diseases, address updates in prescription as well as carry out 30 health vital examinations.
We find these selection of services very convenient especially for individuals on the go.
Another great offering that they have that separates them from other opticians, is that they can help people in choosing different designs through eyewear consultations.
We really like that this helps round out the whole experience in addressing both function and style.
Another convenient service they offer is their online store however we do caution reading the terms and conditions first as the delivery fees are only free for quite expensive purchases.
For example, orders delivered by DHL under €500 will not be eligible for free delivery, so make sure to keep this in mind when browsing their online store.
Regardless, Mac Nally Opticians is the perfect choice for those looking for excellent eye consultation services and help in choosing various frame designs.
Pros
- Offer a style consultation
- Friendly store staff
- Walk-ins are welcome
- Thorough optometric examination provided
Cons
- Pricier options
- Delivery charges are only free for more expensive conditions
Customer Reviews
Professional Service
“They are so professional, gracious and they know the business. I had a contact check and they were the first professionals to get the RX correct. I would still be coming to them except the style of frames is pretty traditional and boring. But for contacts, they are the best and perhaps the frame styles fit your taste. I would definitely check them out.”—Kris M.
Nice but Costly Frames
“MacNally Opticians are the super-coolest opticians in Dublin, from their smooth-talking logo, down to their suave website, these guys have got style.
Okay, I’m getting carried away here, they really do have some really nice frames but they’re all top drawer stuff, most of them are titanium, and all of them are on the pricey side.
The staff couldn’t be nicer, even when a scruff like me, obviously not wearing glasses, walks in for a poke about I was greeted cordially. So, if I ever need glasses, and have a little more change than usual jingling about in my pocket, I’ll hit MacNally Opticians.”— Brian P.
3. Specsavers Opticians
| Background and expertise | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Range of glasses | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| • Prices | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| • Brands and styles | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Efficiency | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Customer feedback | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| • Customer service | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| • Overall satisfaction | ★★★★★(5/5) |
As one of the opticians with the largest number of branches in Ireland, customers will surely appreciate the range and unique services Specsavers Opticians has to offer.
What makes them stand out for us is, in terms of eyecare, they have some very unique packages and services that makes the process all the more convenient for the customer.
They have online consultations which can help the client prepare even before they enter the store, making the procedure more efficient.
What’s more is that they offer specific services for corporate eyecare, perfect for company drivers or safety eyewear requirements. We highly recommend them for companies looking for convenient eyewear services.
We also like that Specsaver Opticians has a large number of deals available for the customer on budget. Examples of this would be their complete glasses package for €19 or their 25% off deal for students.
Although we would however forewarn some past customer issues with the quality of their frames, their customer service is more than happy to help and clarify any issues.
Aside from their range of glasses, we also found their service for reordering contact lenses very unique and impressive. It’s a perfect place for repeat buyers to order the contact lenses with the same specifications as before.
All in all, Specsaver Opticians provide customers with a wide range of eyewear styles, services and affordable packages.
Pros
- Offer online consultations
- A lot of affordable package options
- Large amount of branches
- Have products and services for hearing aids as well
Cons
- Previous customer complaints about the quality of their frames
- Limited to Visa and Mastercard for online purchases
Customer Reviews
Impressive Service
“I have to say I was impressed with my visit to specsavers. I’d gone to my usual optician for all the testing but they just didn’t have any frames that didn’t make me look like Dame Edna or a hipster. After two visits there trying to sort it out, I took my prescription to somewhere with many more frames.
Now I am quite blind, and my own optician will often put in contact lenses for me while I pick out glasses. In Specsavers, they get around this another way. There’s a handy little camera and screen thing, where you can take up to 4 shots of yourself with different frames on and compare.
Anyways after dithering for a bit, I asked someone to help me pick out frames and she was really great. Eventually, we found some, and she went through my lens options and the deal. I was also seen then by their in-house optician who took some measurements and made sure the frames were right – he also gave me good advice about options.
All in all the service was great. They have a lab on-site, so if I’d wanted to recycle my own frames I could have (once they ordered the lenses). The end price came to about half what I would have paid in my regular opticians, and my specs were in less than a week later.” —Maire B., Google Reviews
Recommendable Opticians
“I have had to visit Specsavers several times since last year initially for an eye test and subsequently for a contact lens test. I have to say that every member of staff has given me excellent service and attention. I also bought two pairs of glasses from Specsavers, it saved me a lot of money and the assistant was very helpful in helping me find the best frame. You can also use a digital machine to find the best pair of frames for you. Overall a great and valued experience. This optician is highly recommended.” —Qype User, Google Reviews
4. Elliott Opticians
| Background and expertise | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Range of glasses | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| • Prices | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| • Brands and styles | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Efficiency | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Customer feedback | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| • Customer service | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| • Overall satisfaction | ★★★★★(5/5) |
With a knowledgeable and accommodating customer service as well as a concise selection of eye care services, Elliott Opticians are a great option for your next visit for eyewear.
They have a very established history that dates all the way back from 1986 and since then they have grown to adapt to the different technologies and methods to provide customers with an updated experience.
What we like about Elliott Opticians is their efficiency in delivering their services. This applies for both new lens requests as well as eye examinations.
Typically, eye examinations would last from 20 to 30 minutes while lenses can take up to around 5 to 7 days to make. Customers will surely appreciate how punctual they are in fulfilling orders and services.
However, we do recognize that compared to other opticians, they may have a more limited selection in terms of different styles.
Aside from this, we also like Elliott Opticians’ knowledgeability for different eye care tips and eye conditions. They can give you substantial advice and tips about UV protection, glaucoma screening as well as Myopia management.
They make a great choice if you’re looking for expert advice on potential diseases and risks.
A standout for us however, is their children’s eye care and many customers have complimented how their customer service really helps put children at ease when taking exams or selecting glasses.
Overall, Elliott Opticians is a solid place to visit for your standard eye condition examinations as well as children’s eyewear services.
Pros
- Very engaging when it comes to children’s eyecare
- Efficient delivery and fulfillment process
- Have a lot of affordable options
- Great range of eye services
Cons
- More limited selection of eyewear in shop
- Closed on Mondays and Sundays
Customer Reviews
Helped My Son with His Contacts
There are absolutely excellent at what they do. I couldn’t get my son to put in contact lenses until I took him here. They were so kind to him and put him at ease. When he had tried some other opticians and although they were good after our first visit here my son said he would be happy to stay with Elliott’s. They are also extremely generous of their time. Fantastic service and people – Tim Hayes
Very Professional
Just want to thank everyone I met yesterday at Elliot options for the professional way I was looked after, really impressed with the genuine kindness and attention to detail during my appointment. I would highly recommend this opticians. – John Hursey
5. Vision Express
| Background and expertise | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Range of glasses | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| • Prices | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| • Brands and styles | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Efficiency | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Customer feedback | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| • Customer service | ★★★☆☆(3/5) |
| • Overall satisfaction | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
With a wide selection of eyewear options to choose from alongside advanced equipment for conducting different examinations, Vision Express is definitely a top contender if you’re looking for a great quality optician.
They have over 30 years of experience with presently over 550 stores reaching across the UK and Ireland.
What is definitely commendable about Vision Express is that they engage with and support a lot of charities and causes such as those for individuals with eye cancer and macular degeneration.
We really like that they go beyond in terms of their efforts, extending outside of the business side.
In terms of their eyewear selection, customers will definitely be satisfied with the amount of options they have. They have glasses for different types of price ranges that come in a wide variety of brands and styles.
This wideness in range also applies to their contact lens selection including daily disposables to eye drops.
What’s great about them as well is that they have a lot of accessories that make shopping at Vision Express all the more convenient. Alongside a pair of glasses, customers can also pick up some anti fog products and snow goggles.
However we would like to point out that some of these products like contact lenses and accessories when purchased online cannot be returned for refunds.
There have also been some customer complaints regarding poor customer service in the store. It would be best to consult and make an appointment beforehand to avoid any confusion.
All in all Vision Express is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a wide selection of eyewear products to choose from.
Pros
- Flexible 100 day return period
- Great number of options for different eye tests
- Excellent selection of glasses
- Convenient delivery service
Cons
- Sunglasses, contact lenses and accessories bought online cannot be returned for refund
- Some complaints regarding customer service
Customer Reviews
Extensive Range of Glasses
“I have been dealing with Vision Express on Henry street for the past 3 years 🙂 I wear my glasses all day every day so I need a reliable optician – Vision Express is just that!!!
This store is on a high street so it can become busy – be patient and you will be looked after – top-notch service!
I have bought three pairs of glasses from this store, including sunglasses. I had searched high and low for a suitable pair of glasses and I did not come across a store with such an extensive range.
I recently inquired about buying prescription goggles for swimming and I was shocked at the price…€29+change…and they are really good quality!!!
Hint: if you do experience any problems with this store then you should realize that some people might just be having a bad day..the general public is not always the nicest…and be smart…inform the manager if you have a problem…I dealt with the manager when I was buying my goggles and he was brilliant!!! Had to have an eye exam – again very good value €29+change – very” – Brian O.
Professional Opticians
“I booked in for an eye test, was delighted how professional the optician was! She knew everything and gave me some great advice. I got a new pair of glasses, which I picked up the next day and I’m loving them. I’m coming back for my contact lenses fit next week. Also, the staff is very friendly. Really good experience so far!” – Maria A.
6. Optiwear
| Background and expertise | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Range of glasses | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| • Prices | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| • Brands and styles | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Efficiency | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Customer feedback | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| • Customer service | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| • Overall satisfaction | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
Pros
- Extensive range of products
- 2 year warranty
- Free shipping
Cons
- Closed during weekends
FAQs about Opticians in Ireland
We hope our list helped clarify some of the best opticians here in Ireland, ready to help you with all of your eyewear needs. If you would like to read more, we also have an article on the best ophthalmologists in Dublin.