Lauder & Rees Opticians

I cannot rate Lauder & Rees' practice highly enough. I wish I had found them years ago. I attended my first eye examination in this practice as I noticed that my eyes had deteriorated over the past year. Zahra Jessa, the consultant optometrist, carried out the examination. She was professional and meticulously thorough. There is no doubt that she is highly knowledgeable and experienced in her field. They also have the most advanced equipment that you find in eye clinics to check the health of the eyes. I felt very relaxed and in the most capable hands. Thank you.

I also want to thank Shabeer Dawood who, after my prescription was established, helped me to choose the right frames for my face shape and the type of lenses that would best suit my lifestyle.. He was extremely knowledgeable, courteous and patient at all times and seems to have a special talent in knowing straight away the type of frame that would suit a face structure. After trying quite a few I finally chose two pairs that were absolutely beautiful. Thank you for all your advice, patience and your great attention to detail during the whole process.

The entire team, from the moment I entered the practice to the moment I left, was extremely welcoming and professional; also kind and helpful. I was even offered a choice of coffee, tea or water. I wish I could recall everyone’s names to thank them personally.
I was so impressed with the professionalism and level of care that I received during my visit that I would give them 10 stars if I could. I will definitely be recommending Lauder & Rees to all of my friends and family. Thank you all for a truly outstanding service.

If you want to go to an opticians where the owner completely lacks empathy for anyone with debilitating eye conditions and shouts flippant remarks at you about your sight, then this is the right place for you.

My mother who is very short sighted due to an eye condition visited Lauder & Rees opticians in November 2023 to purchase new glasses. This is one of the worst experiences I have had and witnessed. The owner of the opticians, Shabeer Dawood was initially very helpful when helping my mother choose some frames (ridiculously overpriced), although not very attentive and quite pushy for her to purchase these specific frames of which in total cost her £1,100 for the frames and lenses due to the very high prescription.

When she received the glasses, she noticed that an error had been made with one of the lens prescriptions, therefore the glasses had to be returned and rectified. But at each visit, my mother mentioned that she was unable to see out of the other lens clearly or sharply and her concerns were disregarded and she was told that she would get used to it.

When the new glasses were ready to pick up, again my mother reiterated that without completely adjusting the frame, she couldn't see sharply or clearly. Shabeer insisted her eyes would get used to these glasses and to preserve which is what she did. However, as time went on and after seeking advice elsewhere, it didn't feel right that a pair of glasses that she had just spent a lot of money on to enable her to see were of no real use to her.

The final time we went back to the opticians about the ongoing issue (February 2024) (please note, not once was she difficult or rude, she was always polite, patient and understanding, considering the circumstances), Shabeer was adjusting the frames yet again when he began shouting at my mother and then at me in an unprovoked attack saying 'I HAVE DONE ALL THAT I CAN DO', 'THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THAT I CAN DO' and 'YOU HAVE POOR VISION' (bit of a silly comment to make considering people do not go to an opticians if they have good vision) to which he brought my mother to tears. We both asked Shabeer to stop shouting and to stop being so aggressive as this concerning, unprovoked and unprofessional behaviour had come out of no where. I said to Shabeer that since he had taken my mothers money he was no longer interested in any aftercare in which he shouted at me 'I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE MONEY' he then walked off. He did not come out and apologise for shouting, humiliating and belittling my mother of which two female members of his staff were present and witnessed the whole shocking behaviour.

My mother was made to feel like an inconvenience for having a severe eye condition of which Shabeer did not care about and was only interested in the money and fobbing us off. If someone is paying a large amount of money, or any amount of money at all, then they should be taken seriously and NOT shouted at in an aggressive manner. It is shocking behaviour for a man of his profession to lack such customer care in such a disgraceful way and be a bully towards two women.

Please be careful and do not be fooled by the so called 5 star reviews as we unfortunately were.

Please do not waste or give your money to this company and
ensure you read ALL of the reviews before you consider. There is plenty of competition out there where you will find caring, professional and understanding opticians. As soon as Shabeer Dawood has your money, he is not interested and shows his true colours. Do not fall for the fake nice act.

Overall Shabeer's staff were nothing but helpful and tried to accomodate as best they could, but the owner of the establishment, Shabeer Dawood was impatient, uninterested and just wanted my mother gone and not to return. If I could put zero stars I would.

So I was looking for something specific (and I know nice frames are not cheap) and they were super helpful to go through a whole range of eyeglass options. They are getting similar glasses in as well from the supplier so i can find the right fit (wow - everyone else was like i had to buy them first). Yes, I had been to five other shops and this was the best experience hands down. Also the prices are right where they should be having seen similar glasses around town. I would highly recommend if you want a team that will spend the time to find you the glasses you want. Thank you!

Had fantastic service on holiday from America & luggage lost with Airline needed contact lenses & specs for the week i'm here and was sorted in few days great service from asian lady

The receptionist is so unhelpful and extremely rude. I tried to book an appointment for my daughter last month and was told that as she was not eligible for her nhs eye test in December I should call back then. When I called back in December she said that no appointments were available until January and that I try "somewhere closer to home". Why is the receptionist making something that should be so simple - so complicated?

Very pleasant and incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. Thank you.

So kind! After I lost a contact on my flight over from the US, I stopped by Lauder and Rees to ask for help to get a replacement. After being asked if I had an appointment and taking my temperature, they allowed me inside. I explained what happened and everyone was so willing to help. Once I showed them my prescription, they gave me the replacement contacts that I needed to be able to see during my visit, and when I asked how much they said not to worry about it. I couldn't believe my luck. Everyone was so nice and helpful. Highly recommended.

Exemplary selection of frames, with service to match - the domain of the savvy, accommodating and genial Shabeer Dawood. A jewel of a business and something of an anomoly set against the more middle-brow offerings normally associated with the businesses found in Paddington's Praed St.

Absolutely appalling service! Spectacles recommended were inappropriate for my eyes as a result my eye sight has worsened. When I challenged the company I was given very poor response. Won't ever go back!

Fantastic service from Shabeer and the team - it's why I return time after time. They couldn't have been more helpful and patient when I was picking a new pair of glasses (at very short notice). This is the sort of service I wish was offered everywhere. Keep it up!

Such rudeness and incompetence. Had to call 4x to ask for a scanned copy of my prescription. Still not received it - in the meantime I was hung upon by staff while trying to explain what i needed for a 4th time. As the woman on the phone was talking nonsense about an unrelated matter. When i called back, zero apologies for being hung up on. And had to explain my simple request. Again.

English barely spoken which makes giving an email address over the phone a nightmare. And lots of nosy questions by pushy salespeople when I came in trying to sell me sunglasses despite my saying I didnt need any, thank you. Never again! *** UPDATE: called a 5th time - turns out they had taken down my email address wrong the first 4 times. The man on the phone said 'It's DEFINITELY your fault'. No apology. Basil Fawlty of Opticians.

They very kindly helped me out earlier in the year when my I lost the nose piece out of my Mykita glasses, excellent service, thank you very much for your help.

First class service and care with a genuine interest in every detail. Mrs Fazin Jetha is a true professional. Thank you.

I went today for a contact lens and an eye test for glasses. I have been visiting Lauder and Rees for twenty years. Originally Mr Lauder was the first optician who gave me a successful eye examination so I could wear contact lenses comfortably. In the entire twenty years I have never had a problem with my eyes, or my contact lenses. Now a young lady called Claire Goldberg is my optician. I value Claire's expert professional approach in eye testing etc. All the staff are very helpful and friendly. The choice of designer glasses available is also first class.