Deposit Refunds
- Crowe00
Hi I went to have my consultation, and was advised I was a suitable candidate. On my day of surgery the surgeon advised that I shouldn’t go ahead with it as my prescription was only slight (-1.25) I was so thankful that he was honest! Saved me £3500 however I’m still waiting for my refund . I was told by the manager in optical express that I would receive ‘full’ refund … but I still wait … any advice thanks 😃
__________________________
admin: You are very lucky, as it's very rare for OE surgeons to be so honest - though his/her days at OE are now numbered, unless they change their ways to suit the company's modus operandi!
Please send your phone number
sasha@opticalexpressruinedmylife.co.uk
__________________________
admin: You are very lucky, as it's very rare for OE surgeons to be so honest - though his/her days at OE are now numbered, unless they change their ways to suit the company's modus operandi!
Please send your phone number

sasha@opticalexpressruinedmylife.co.uk
Last Edit:16 Feb 2023 15:21
by Crowe00
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- Lian Owen
Hi I went to Optical Express on Jan 28th to enquire about laser surgery. I didn’t see a surgeon but the sales people told me I could have Lasek and took a £500 deposit off me. But after reading the forums and reviews online I see that going with Optical Express is a mistake.
I went to the Leicester premises but was told I would have to go to Nottingham for the surgery. They told me the surgeon is Dr Sajjad Mughal even though I don't have a surgery date booked in yet.
Would you be able to help me in getting a refund?
—————————-
admin: Please send your phone number
sasha@opticalexpressruinedmylife.co.uk
I went to the Leicester premises but was told I would have to go to Nottingham for the surgery. They told me the surgeon is Dr Sajjad Mughal even though I don't have a surgery date booked in yet.
Would you be able to help me in getting a refund?
—————————-
admin: Please send your phone number

sasha@opticalexpressruinedmylife.co.uk
Last Edit:10 Feb 2023 13:51
by Lian Owen
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- Janie215
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- Posts: 1
- Thanks: 0
Hi Sasha
I just wanted to say a massive thank you for all your help.
OE have finally said that they will refund me my £500 deposit. This was after saying that they definitely wouldn’t.
Thanks again
Jayne
I just wanted to say a massive thank you for all your help.
OE have finally said that they will refund me my £500 deposit. This was after saying that they definitely wouldn’t.
Thanks again
Jayne
Last Edit:12 Feb 2023 19:44
by Janie215
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- Jarzzz
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I paid my £2500 based on the advice from the 'experts'. On the day of the surgery the surgeon explained hat I should not have the surgery and that in fact the risks outweigh the benefits, as a result I was told get get a refund.
So after a lot of wasted time in appointments and consultations, I was told a refund was issued on the 24th October for £2500. Now we are 6 weeks on and still no refund received. I have sent numerous emails and called but all I have had as a response is that they have spoken to world pay and they cannot find the refund.
Any advice for potential legal action I can take ?
______________________
admin: Please send your phone number
sasha@opticalexpressruinedmylife.co.uk
So after a lot of wasted time in appointments and consultations, I was told a refund was issued on the 24th October for £2500. Now we are 6 weeks on and still no refund received. I have sent numerous emails and called but all I have had as a response is that they have spoken to world pay and they cannot find the refund.
Any advice for potential legal action I can take ?
______________________
admin: Please send your phone number

sasha@opticalexpressruinedmylife.co.uk
Last Edit:17 Jun 2023 16:57
by Jarzzz
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- henderson357
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- Posts: 2
- Thanks: 0
I had no idea that the country is again dealing with an "unprecedented scenario", especially as there was no issue with the company's staffing levels on the 18th October when my payment of £4,690 was taken.
It seems I must have missed something and need to catch up on the recent news!
It seems I must have missed something and need to catch up on the recent news!
Last Edit:11 Dec 2022 19:32
by henderson357
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- henderson357
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Hi Sasha,
I hope you are well -
I am looking for your advice on how to retrieve my optical express refund. For context, I both booked and cancelled my surgery appointment within 1 week and paid in full (£4,690). I have received notification of a partial refund but it is missing £500, which today (1st December) after speaking with their customer services they have confirmed that this was the deposit that they are now holding as apparently I have consented to the terms and conditions by having my consent / clinical call - where no financial details were discussed.
Some detail on my experience:
I booked my initial assessment with the Chester clinic on Tuesday 18th October where after my assessment they confirmed my suitability for lasik and gave me my patient pack.
I was asked to sign on a tablet / digital pad for the T&Cs (that I couldn’t see) but never received a signed copy.
Following conversations with Sean Ruddy I was guided to pay to confirm my surgery appointment (at the Liverpool clinic) with Dr. Huba Kiss on the 25th October - at this stage I discussed concerns regarding the refund process but it wasn't raised as being an issue so I proceeded with payment in full.
My consent call was on Wednesday 19th October to discuss the surgery with a clinical advisor - where we discussed only details relating to my surgery.
I cancelled my surgery on Saturday 22nd October once Optical Express had advised that my surgeon had been changed to Dr. Muhammad Kazmi. Following this update I did some further research and found some concerning information, including patient experience videos and blogs which lead to me to cancel my surgery.
Today (1st December) I raised a formal complaint with Optical Express to retrieve my deposit as I felt strongly that I was misguided through what has been an extremely underhanded process geared towards keeping consumers & patients away from their own money.
Many thanks for any support you are able to offer.
Chris H.
________________________
admin: Please send your phone number
sasha@opticalexpressruinedmylife.co.uk
I hope you are well -
I am looking for your advice on how to retrieve my optical express refund. For context, I both booked and cancelled my surgery appointment within 1 week and paid in full (£4,690). I have received notification of a partial refund but it is missing £500, which today (1st December) after speaking with their customer services they have confirmed that this was the deposit that they are now holding as apparently I have consented to the terms and conditions by having my consent / clinical call - where no financial details were discussed.
Some detail on my experience:
I booked my initial assessment with the Chester clinic on Tuesday 18th October where after my assessment they confirmed my suitability for lasik and gave me my patient pack.
I was asked to sign on a tablet / digital pad for the T&Cs (that I couldn’t see) but never received a signed copy.
Following conversations with Sean Ruddy I was guided to pay to confirm my surgery appointment (at the Liverpool clinic) with Dr. Huba Kiss on the 25th October - at this stage I discussed concerns regarding the refund process but it wasn't raised as being an issue so I proceeded with payment in full.
My consent call was on Wednesday 19th October to discuss the surgery with a clinical advisor - where we discussed only details relating to my surgery.
I cancelled my surgery on Saturday 22nd October once Optical Express had advised that my surgeon had been changed to Dr. Muhammad Kazmi. Following this update I did some further research and found some concerning information, including patient experience videos and blogs which lead to me to cancel my surgery.
Today (1st December) I raised a formal complaint with Optical Express to retrieve my deposit as I felt strongly that I was misguided through what has been an extremely underhanded process geared towards keeping consumers & patients away from their own money.
Many thanks for any support you are able to offer.
Chris H.
________________________
admin: Please send your phone number

sasha@opticalexpressruinedmylife.co.uk
Last Edit:06 Dec 2022 17:34
by henderson357
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- JayneL
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- Posts: 2
- Thanks: 1
Sasha I really hope that you can help me as £500 is a lot of money to lose.
Many thanks
Jayne L
PS. Still not heard a thing from them despite promises they would call me back.
________________________
admin: Don't worry, I'll call you over the weekend
Many thanks
Jayne L
PS. Still not heard a thing from them despite promises they would call me back.
________________________
admin: Don't worry, I'll call you over the weekend

Last Edit:25 Nov 2022 16:36
by JayneL
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- JayneL
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- Posts: 2
- Thanks: 1
I was wondering if you could help me?
I went to Optical Express in Birmingham on the 26th September and was told I would need RLE where they replace the lens in your eye so you never need cataract surgery. I paid a £500 deposit and the salesman named Mohammed (also called Naqueeb) suggested I wait for the "excellent surgeon Dr George”. I waited and was booked in for surgery on the 11th October but then I came upon your website and Facebook group. I immediately cancelled my surgery and asked for my deposit back. They said that unfortunately because I had signed a contract then I would only be entitled to half of it back. I have no idea what I signed because I was asked to sign my name on a tablet but not told what I was signing or given a copy.
I have chased them with phone calls and emails, and the Birmingham assistant store manager, Lorna Grubb, told me about a week ago that she hadn’t forgotten me but she needed to speak to Mohammed about this but he was on holiday. She said she would ask Head Office but I doubt that she did after reading details of so many other people's complaints here.
I've attached part of the email thread.
I don't know what else to do and know you have experience in this sort of thing and would appreciate your advice.
Thank you
Jayne
___________________________
admin: LOL is all I can say re 'excellent surgeon Dr George' (Dr Kanackal Alex George aka Dr Duck)!
www.opticalexpressruinedmylife.co.uk/ind...kanackal-alex-george
They forgot to mention how many people's eyes he's irreparably damaged, and how many have taken legal action against him
Please email your phone number, and when we speak, remind me to advise how to complain to the GOC re signing on tablet.
sasha@opticalexpressruinedmylife.co.uk
I went to Optical Express in Birmingham on the 26th September and was told I would need RLE where they replace the lens in your eye so you never need cataract surgery. I paid a £500 deposit and the salesman named Mohammed (also called Naqueeb) suggested I wait for the "excellent surgeon Dr George”. I waited and was booked in for surgery on the 11th October but then I came upon your website and Facebook group. I immediately cancelled my surgery and asked for my deposit back. They said that unfortunately because I had signed a contract then I would only be entitled to half of it back. I have no idea what I signed because I was asked to sign my name on a tablet but not told what I was signing or given a copy.
I have chased them with phone calls and emails, and the Birmingham assistant store manager, Lorna Grubb, told me about a week ago that she hadn’t forgotten me but she needed to speak to Mohammed about this but he was on holiday. She said she would ask Head Office but I doubt that she did after reading details of so many other people's complaints here.
I've attached part of the email thread.
I don't know what else to do and know you have experience in this sort of thing and would appreciate your advice.
Thank you
Jayne
___________________________
admin: LOL is all I can say re 'excellent surgeon Dr George' (Dr Kanackal Alex George aka Dr Duck)!
www.opticalexpressruinedmylife.co.uk/ind...kanackal-alex-george
They forgot to mention how many people's eyes he's irreparably damaged, and how many have taken legal action against him

Please email your phone number, and when we speak, remind me to advise how to complain to the GOC re signing on tablet.
sasha@opticalexpressruinedmylife.co.uk
Last Edit:24 Nov 2022 17:33
by JayneL
The following user(s) said Thank You: Janie215
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- HDolley
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- Posts: 2
- Thanks: 0
Hi,
I received my refund!
Thanks so much for all of your help!
Kind regards.
I received my refund!
Thanks so much for all of your help!
Kind regards.
by HDolley
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- HDolley
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- Thanks: 0
Hi Sasha,
Please can you help?
I attended the Optical Express store in Derby on the 23rd Sept, an hour after I attended Specsavers for an up-to-date eye-test and prescription, Specsavers informed me I had ONE scar on my eye. That afternoon I visited Optical Express, and after all of the tests were performed I was informed I had LOTS AND LOTS of scarring on my eyes from wearing contact lenses, when I queried this I was told "Oh, our equipment is far more advanced!" Obviously hearing this scared me, as I wear contact lenses a lot and to hear the damage I was potentially doing to my eyes was very persuasive. Then I was told my corneas are very thin and i'd have to have the Lasek surgery, he didn't hold back in telling me it would be excruciatingly painful for a few days after and that it is the more painful surgery with a longer recovery time. Concerned, I asked about how that could potentially impact me as a frontline healthcare worker but he dismissed my fears, despite the fact my job is a high-splash environment and can be violent at times. I was then taken through to the sales lady who was training a new-starter whilst talking to me, she spoke so fast I didn't have a clue what she was saying or whether she was speaking to me or explaining to the trainee, I had to ask for her to repeat herself a lot. I was advised to book in to have the more advanced PENTACAM scan due to me being borderline the following week at the Nottingham branch, I was told I would be able to chat with a consultant at this time, impressed by their care and assurances that I could be found unsuitable 'we want to make absolutely sure to ensure you the best outcome' I decided to part with the £500. I was also told I would receive a phonecall to arrange finance in 3 days' time due to it being a weekend, the call never came but I wasn't too concerned as I assumed they were waiting until after my more advanced scan.
I spent an hour travelling to Nottingham where I had my scan and was ushered straight out of the building, they informed me they would email the Derby branch with the results and get them to ring me the next day, this was at odds with the consultant meeting I was promised. The call never came.
I emailed on the 2nd October to make a complaint about the lack of communication, the Derby branch then rang me back on the 3rd October, which was far exceeding the cool-off period, to finally arrange finance and give me my results, which were fine. I expressed my doubts and concerns again on the phonecall but was assured I had nothing to worry about. During the later finance call I was told I had booked in for LASEK with idesign, I hadn't asked for the idesign I believe this costs significantly more; my finance application was subsequently rejected. I decided to postpone my surgery until February so I could raise the necessary funds, but after some research into LASEK and the lack of communication I received from my local Optical Express store, I lost faith in their service; I joined a Facebook laser eye surgery support group, and they were shocked to learn I had no clue who would be doing it. This was the final straw for me, I emailed on the 11th of October to cancel the surgery altogether and requesting my deposit be returned, I emailed again two days later, and as of yet, have had no acknowledgment or communication from them.
Kind regards,
Hazel Dolley
_____________________________________
admin: Please send your phone number and I'll be happy to help you
sasha@opticalexpressruinedmylife.co.uk
Please can you help?
I attended the Optical Express store in Derby on the 23rd Sept, an hour after I attended Specsavers for an up-to-date eye-test and prescription, Specsavers informed me I had ONE scar on my eye. That afternoon I visited Optical Express, and after all of the tests were performed I was informed I had LOTS AND LOTS of scarring on my eyes from wearing contact lenses, when I queried this I was told "Oh, our equipment is far more advanced!" Obviously hearing this scared me, as I wear contact lenses a lot and to hear the damage I was potentially doing to my eyes was very persuasive. Then I was told my corneas are very thin and i'd have to have the Lasek surgery, he didn't hold back in telling me it would be excruciatingly painful for a few days after and that it is the more painful surgery with a longer recovery time. Concerned, I asked about how that could potentially impact me as a frontline healthcare worker but he dismissed my fears, despite the fact my job is a high-splash environment and can be violent at times. I was then taken through to the sales lady who was training a new-starter whilst talking to me, she spoke so fast I didn't have a clue what she was saying or whether she was speaking to me or explaining to the trainee, I had to ask for her to repeat herself a lot. I was advised to book in to have the more advanced PENTACAM scan due to me being borderline the following week at the Nottingham branch, I was told I would be able to chat with a consultant at this time, impressed by their care and assurances that I could be found unsuitable 'we want to make absolutely sure to ensure you the best outcome' I decided to part with the £500. I was also told I would receive a phonecall to arrange finance in 3 days' time due to it being a weekend, the call never came but I wasn't too concerned as I assumed they were waiting until after my more advanced scan.
I spent an hour travelling to Nottingham where I had my scan and was ushered straight out of the building, they informed me they would email the Derby branch with the results and get them to ring me the next day, this was at odds with the consultant meeting I was promised. The call never came.
I emailed on the 2nd October to make a complaint about the lack of communication, the Derby branch then rang me back on the 3rd October, which was far exceeding the cool-off period, to finally arrange finance and give me my results, which were fine. I expressed my doubts and concerns again on the phonecall but was assured I had nothing to worry about. During the later finance call I was told I had booked in for LASEK with idesign, I hadn't asked for the idesign I believe this costs significantly more; my finance application was subsequently rejected. I decided to postpone my surgery until February so I could raise the necessary funds, but after some research into LASEK and the lack of communication I received from my local Optical Express store, I lost faith in their service; I joined a Facebook laser eye surgery support group, and they were shocked to learn I had no clue who would be doing it. This was the final straw for me, I emailed on the 11th of October to cancel the surgery altogether and requesting my deposit be returned, I emailed again two days later, and as of yet, have had no acknowledgment or communication from them.
Kind regards,
Hazel Dolley
_____________________________________
admin: Please send your phone number and I'll be happy to help you

sasha@opticalexpressruinedmylife.co.uk
Last Edit:24 Nov 2022 17:33
by HDolley
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