ASA upholds Optical Express complaint

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld its decision that a television advert and brochure for Optical Express was misleading.

It ruled that the advert implied major winning golfer Padraig Harrington had benefited from laser eye surgery with the company. In April 2011, the ASA upheld 23 out of 25 complaints made against the advert by rival firm Ultalase. Optical Express challenged the decision at the time.

On the ASA's decision, Nina Best, advertising specialist at law firm Browne Jacobson, said: 'This is a crushing blow for Optical Express. The decision to challenge has also given rival eye care business Ultralase more publicity than it would have bargained for.'