Ultralase acquires Eye Laser Ireland in €3m investment

EYE Laser Ireland, which has recently struggled with losses, has been acquired by Ultralase as part of a €3 million investment.

Eye Laser Ireland was placed under the protection of the High Court earlier this year but eye specialists Ultralase said it successfully negotiated with the examiner to purchase the company.

Ultralase will take over clinics in Cork, Dublin and Limerick and it will see it become the largest provider of laser eye surgery in Ireland, it said.

It is understood other companies such as Vision Express had also expressed interest in acquiring Eye Laser Ireland.

Ultralase entered the Irish market with its acquisition of the Waterford Eye Clinic and the eye laser surgery clinic at Shanakiel Hospital Cork from the Quality HealthCare Group last year.

This followed the acquisition of the Quality HealthCare Group clinic in Belfast.

“The recent takeovers clearly highlight the strategy Ultralase is intent on pursuing,” Ultralase Ireland director Gerry Kervick said. “We believe there is still a strong demand for specialist providers in the current economic climate where quality is foremost in the minds of the public.”

Ultralase said the acquirement of the three clinics is part of its overall strategy to develop specialist care throughout Ireland.

Ultralase chief executive Tony Veverka said: “For Ultralase, this takeover represents a clear vision of our wish to establish a network of clinics in Ireland.

“We are keen to develop the expertise and reputation of Ultralase to Ireland and are looking forward to working with the established teams in Dublin, Cork and Limerick to combine our joint passion of treating eyes and transforming lives.”