[6] As a chain of retail opticians, offering a number of healthcare services, the company once operated a private hospital in Manchester.

[10] Optical Express said it was consolidating its retail portfolio to "focus resources on its flagship locations and online business".

Founder David Moulsdale unveiled the intention to appoint an administrator for DCM Optical Clinic and then buy back 16 of the 19 stores.

[7] In late 2022 the Optical Express clinics in Glasgow,[16] Dundee[17] and Inverness[18] were each rated “Exceptional” following inspections by HIS (Healthcare Improvement Scotland).

In November 2022 the Birmingham Clinic received an “outstanding” rating from the CQC[19] (Care Quality Commission).

[20] The group was founded in 1991 by David Moulsdale[21] with one Optical Express branch based in Leith, Edinburgh.

[25] Optical Express entered the refractive eye surgery market in 2002 when it acquired The Health Clinic which offered general ophthalmic procedures across slightly less than 20 locations in the UK.

Optical Express acquired the dentistry and laser eye surgery services of Alliance Boots in 2005, trading under the name 'The Dental Clinic'.

[6] April 2014: A complaint by the company that rival Optimax had funded a protest website [31] owned by My Beautiful Eyes Foundation campaigner Sasha Rodoy was dismissed by Nominet.

[32] January 2015: The Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced they were investigating claims that an artificial lens (MPlus X manufactured by Oculentis[33]) implanted into the eyes of thousands of patients had caused serious problems with distance vision.

The company provides home eye tests for patients with complex disabilities and low vision across most of Scotland.