About Us

Kingsbridge Opticians is one of Northern Ireland’s leading independent eyecare providers located in and around Belfast.

We opened our doors in Donaghadee in 2002 and since then have grown to include other locations and are now a part of the Kingsbridge Private Medical Group.

The Kingsbridge Opticians mission is to give every patient the highest quality clinical care we can. Our experienced optometrists take all the time each individual patient may require, and we employ the latest, most advanced technology available to us to ensure you enjoy healthy, clear and comfortable vision.

As part of the Kingsbridge Group, we have a close working relationship with our Consultant Ophthalmologists at Kingsbridge Private Hospital. This has allowed us to develop very fast and efficient referral pathways from Optometrist to Consultant Ophthalmologist for all manner of ocular concerns and ailments.

Meet The Team

Shane Higgins BSc (Hons) MCOptom DipTp (IP)

Shane Higgins BSc (Hons) MCOptom DipTp (IP)

Senior Therapeutic Optometrist

“I qualified from Glasgow Caledonian University in 2012 and gained my Independent Prescribing qualification in 2017.

I have a wide range of clinical interests including general primary optometric care, paediatric dispensing, contact lens work and advanced imaging techniques such as ocular coherence tomography.

My spare time is split between guitar, sailing and motorbikes.”

Andrena Orme

Andrena Orme

OPTICAL ASSISSTANT

Andrena joined Kingsbridge Opticians in 2022, having previously worked in the One2One department at Kingsbridge Private Hospital. 

Her role at Kingsbridge Opticians involves welcoming optical and hearing care patients and providing assistance to the Opticians following patients’ eye tests. Andrena also helps patients in the selection and dispensing of their glasses and in between times, she assists patients who are collecting their new glasses and contact lenses as well as attending those who come in for general enquiries.

“The best aspect of the job is meeting a variety of different people, I enjoy talking to our patients and building up a rapport. I love when they collect their glasses at the final stage of their journey, and I can see them walk away happy.” 

Lisa McCormick

Lisa McCormick

OPTICAL ASSISSTANT

Lisa joined Kingsbridge Opticians in 2023 after previously working in admin for nine years before working in a national optician’s chain and an independent optician where she spent the next 20 years. 

Lisa is responsible for a range of tasks, including welcoming both optical and hearing care patients upon their arrival as well as answering phone calls regarding queries and appointments. Lisa works alongside our opticians with the handover of patients after an eye examination, assisting patients in selecting their glasses and providing advice on contact lenses. Throughout the day, she prepares glasses for collection, ensures they are fitted correctly, and that the customer has had a great experience.

“The best aspect of the job is helping patients through their customer journey and seeing them leave the store happy with stylish and modern frames!”

Michelle Simpson

Michelle Simpson

Newtownabbey Practice Manager

“Having originally join the business nearly 17 years ago when it was formally Sweeney Opticians and now Kingsbridge Opticians & Hearing Care, I can say it’s been an absolute pleasure.

Being Practice Manager has given me the opportunity to get involved in many aspects of the optical world and in addition to running the practice I work on the shop floor dispensing and merchandising, but I’m also a trained lab technician, meaning my knowledge of products is very good, and I assist with the transition of spectacle choice to finished product, and checks to ensure finished spectacles are of a high standard.

At Kingsbridge Opticians & Hearing Care, we are afforded the professional freedom to do what it takes to meet and exceed the expectations of our customers, which cannot always be said about the ‘big players’ on the High Street.

What I love most about my job is utilising my flair for knowing what suits people, whilst glasses should be fit for purpose, they also make a statement, so getting to know my clients and understanding what suits their style is equally important”

Nigel Bradley

Nigel Bradley

Donaghadee Practice Manager

Nigel has joined the Kingsbridge Opticians and Hearing Care Team 8 years ago after having previously held position as Director in one of Northern Ireland’s leading Optical Labs. He brings over 25 years experience as an expert in frame and lens craft. Always keen to go the extra mile for our customers, he enjoys the high level of technical skill to his job and working with people.

In his spare time Nigel enjoys fishing.

Conor Rooney

Conor Rooney

Team Leader at Kingsbridge Opticians and Hearing Care

Conor joined the Front of House team at Kingsbridge Healthcare Group in 2020 having previously worked in management and training for 15 years.

At Kingsbridge Opticians & Hearing Care, Conor leads our Audiology and Optical teams, and is responsible for the day to day running of the Lisburn Road store. He also plays a key role in supporting the KOHC teams in Newtownabbey, Donaghadee, Holywood and Ballykelly.

Conor has held various management roles across the UK and Ireland, and brings a wealth of knowledge to the Team Leader role.

“I love to see that warm smile on our patients’ faces when they experience our unique, personal service from beginning to end. That’s why I have a ‘patient-first’ approach to everything I do.”

Stephen Hunter BSc Hons Clin Phys & DIS, HCPC, BAA, RCCP, BSHAA

Stephen Hunter BSc Hons Clin Phys & DIS, HCPC, BAA, RCCP, BSHAA

managing Director

Stephen is the current Managing Director of Kingsbridge Opticians and Hearing Care. He also has been a fully qualified Audiologist for over 19 years practising adult and paediatric hearing assessments and rehabilitation.  During his career he has worked in both the NHS and Private sectors where he gained specialist expertise in wax removal procedures and dispensing hearing aids.  He specialises in complex hearing losses and the latest innovations in hearing aid technology. He enjoys working as part of a multidisciplinary team and feels this provides a streamlined, holistic approach to patient centred care. 

“Each person I meet faces new communication challenges and I find it extremely rewarding being able to tailor the latest innovations in hearing aid technology to address these needs” 

In his spare time Stephen enjoys playing guitar and taking on car restoration projects. 

Richard Sweeney MCOptom HCPC Reg

Richard Sweeney MCOptom HCPC Reg

Owner

Richard Sweeney is the owner and founder of Kingsbridge Opticians & Hearing Care. Richard currently works as Head of Product and Service Development on the Strategic Development Team for the Kingsbridge Private Hospital Group. He is a registered Optometrist of 24 years and a HCPC registered Hearing Aid Dispenser. He has a keen interest in Cataract care, Macular Degeneration and Hearing Aid dispensing.

Book a consultation now on
028 9066 7030