Gijsen

What Gijsen does

Gijsen is a family-owned optical and hearing care retailer headquartered at Tempelplein 15, 6131 JC Sittard, Netherlands (legal entity: Gijsen Optiek BV), founded in 1953 by Paul Gijsen and now in its third generation under owners Leo and Claudia Gijsen, with Helene Gijsen joining after completing Optometry studies. The business operates from a single retail showroom serving the Sittard region with comprehensive vision and audiology services. Offerings span five service areas: eyewear fashion (prescription, sun, sport, and safety glasses), lens types and coatings (single-vision, multifocal, computer, driving, SEIKO premium), contact lenses (daily, soft, rigid gas permeable, ortho-K night lenses via DreamLite), eye care (optometry, orthoptics, Eyescan laser surgery referrals, Focusses cognitive visual training), hearing solutions (hearing tests, BTE/ITE/SITE hearing aids, custom otoplastics, accessories), and a dedicated Kids segment. Differentiated features include MiYOSMART D.I.M.S. myopia control lenses and a 1-hour glazing service enabled by a stock of 6,500+ lenses from long-standing supplier HOYA.

The business monetises through a hybrid model: transactional product sales (prescription eyewear, hearing aids, contact lenses) supplemented by subscription packages (kids & care and myopie & care) that bundle annual eye examinations with corrective lenses for paediatric myopia management. Additional recurring revenue derives from contact lens consumables (reorderable via WhatsApp) and hearing-aid aftercare. Pricing is largely quote-based and not publicly disclosed; the standalone eye-measurement fee is €45 (waived on purchase). The company processes Dutch health-insurance claims via the VECOZO database. Distribution is exclusively through the Tempelplein storefront, augmented by online appointment booking and WhatsApp ordering; gtm is fundamentally direct-to-consumer via footfall in the Sittard catchment.

Key partnerships anchor the proposition: Eyescan (Premium Partner since 2009) for laser-eye referrals, Ray-Ban (one of six Certified Premium Resellers in the Netherlands) for premium branded frames, and HOYA (35+ years) and SEIKO for lens technology. The firm also runs the Augenlicht charitable outreach programme in Cambodia with German NGO Kleine Hilfsaktion, funded by €6,000 of annual donations. Ownership is fully family-held across three generations; no external investment, parent entity, or subsidiaries have been disclosed, and financial statements are not public.

Name

Gijsen

Legal name

Gijsen Optiek BV

Website

https://gijsen.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Gijsen is a family-owned optical and hearing care retailer founded in 1953 in Sittard, Netherlands, operating from a single Tempelplein showroom serving the local Sittard region with prescription eyewear, contact lenses, optometry/orthoptics, paediatric myopia management, and audiology services including hearing aids and custom hearing protection.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Optical and Hearing Care Retail

NAICS

Offices of Optometrists (62132), Optical Goods Retailers (45613), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851), Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)

akta.pro primary industry

Optometry Clinics (Primary Eye Care) (HLAKAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Comprehensive Eye Exams & Vision Care (HLAKAKAA), Reading Glasses (OTC) (CRAAAKAG)

Keywords

• Prescription eyewear retail
• Hearing care services
• Optical retail store
• Contact lens fitting
• Vision examinations

Headquarters

HQ city

Sittard

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Optical Products: Sale of prescription glasses (frames and lenses), sunglasses, sports glasses, safety glasses, and children's eyewear. Products are sold as one-time purchases at the retail store.
2. Contact Lenses: Sale of daily, bi-weekly, monthly, hard, and night contact lenses. Orders can be placed in-store or via WhatsApp. Recurring revenue from consumables and solutions.
3. Specialist Eye Examinations: Optometric and orthoptic examinations for diagnosing and managing eye conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, myopia, and strabismus. Patients are referred to ophthalmologists or treated in-house as appropriate.
4. Hearing Solutions: Sale and fitting of hearing aids (AHO, IHO, LIHO types) along with hearing tests and aftercare services. Hearing tests are provided free of charge; hearing aids are sold as products.
5. Hearing Protection and Accessories: Custom-made ear protection (otoplastics), swim plugs, and assistive listening devices. One-time product sales.
6. Myopie & Care and Kids & Care Subscriptions: Annual subscription packages that bundle comprehensive pediatric eye care, MiYOSMART lenses, and regular myopia monitoring appointments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Gijsen is a family-owned optical and hearing care retail practice in Sittard, Netherlands, selling prescription glasses, sunglasses, sport and safety eyewear, contact lenses and hearing aids, and providing in-house optometric, orthoptic, myopia management and audiology services from a single retail location. It also offers annual subscription packages (kids & care and myopie & care) and acts as an Eyescan Premium Partner for laser eye surgery referrals and a Ray-Ban Certified Premium Reseller.

Product overview

Gijsen is an optical and hearing care specialist established in 1953, operating from Sittard as a full-service retail provider. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio organized across five service areas: Brilmode (eyewear fashion), Brillenglazen (lens types and coatings), Contactlenzen (contact lenses), Oogzorg (eye care services), and Horen (hearing solutions). Core products include prescription glasses (correctiebrillen), sunglasses (zonnebrillen), sport and safety glasses, and a wide range of lens types such as single-vision, multifocal, computer, and driving glasses. Contact lens offerings cover daily, night/ortho-K (DreamLite), rigid gas permeable, and soft lenses. Eye care services encompass optometry (including macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract, and dry eye screening), orthoptics, laser eye surgery (as Eyescan Premium Partner), and Focusses visual training. The company also operates a dedicated Kids section with frames, myopia management (using MiYOSMART D.I.M.S. lenses and MiSight daily lenses), specialist examinations, and a Kinderbrillenkampioen contest. Hearing services include hearing tests, hearing aids (BTE, ITE, LIHO types), custom hearing protection (Pluggerz brand), hearing accessories, and care plans. Subscription programs (kids & care, myopie & care) provide bundled care for children. The company holds no API, does not use AI/ML capabilities, and does not publish product launch announcements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• kids & care: A subscription/care program for children's eyewear offering discounted frames and glasses.
• myopie & care
• Focusses

Products and services

• Prescription Glasses (Correctiebrillen)
• Sunglasses (Zonnebrillen)
• Sports Glasses (Sportbrillen)
• Safety Glasses (Veiligheidsbrillen)
• Single-Vision Lenses (Enkelvoudige brillenglazen)
• Multifocal Lenses (Multifocale brillenglazen)
• Computer Glasses (Beeldschermbril)
• Driving Glasses (Brillenglazen voor autorijden)
• SEIKO Premium Lenses
• Low Vision Aids (Low Vision Hulpmiddelen)
• Daily Contact Lenses (Daglenzen)
• Night / Ortho-K Contact Lenses (DreamLite Nachtlenzen)
• Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses (Harde lenzen)
• Soft Contact Lenses (Zachte lenzen)
• Optometry Examinations (Optometrie)
• Orthoptic Examinations (Orthoptie)
• Laser Eye Surgery (Ooglaseren) Referral Care
• Focusses Visual Training
• Children's Eyeglass Frames (Kinder monturen)
• Myopia Management Programme (Myopie Controles)
• Hearing Aids (Hoortoestellen)
• Hearing Test (Hoortest)
• Hearing Protection (Gehoorbescherming)
• Hearing Accessories (Hulpmiddelen)
• kids & care Subscription
• myopie & care Subscription

Quantifiable outcome

• MiYOSMART lenses reduced myopia progression by an average of 60% over two years in clinical studies.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EyescancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Since 2009, Gijsen has been a registered Eyescan Premium Partner. As such, they conduct pre-examinations and follow-up care for laser eye treatments and lens implantation procedures performed at Eyescan clinics. Eyescan has been rated by the Consumentenbond as one of the best eye laser clinics. This partnership enables local access to specialist laser eye care for Gijsen's customers.
• Kleine Hilfsaktion / AugenlichtminorOthersGijsen has partnered with German foundation Kleine Hilfsaktion for the Augenlicht (eye light) project in Cambodia since 2013. Annually, a Gijsen staff member travels to Cambodia to perform eye measurements and provide aid. Gijsen donates €6,000 per year to the project (funded by staff surrendering parking permits). Collected eyeglasses are refurbished and distributed locally. The project also funds cataract surgeries and transportation costs (€60 per patient).
• VECOZOcoreTechnology or IntegrationGijsen uses the VECOZO database to verify patients' health insurance coverage and process claims efficiently. VECOZO connects healthcare providers with insurers to enable streamlined administrative processes for optical and hearing care reimbursements.
• FocussesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFocusses is a cognitive training centre that operates two training rooms on the first floor of Gijsen's premises. They provide visual perception and cognitive training programmes in collaboration with Gijsen's specialists to improve focus, information processing, and decision-making skills.
• Ray-BancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGijsen is a Ray-Ban Certified Premium Reseller, one of only six in the Netherlands. This status grants them a shop-in-shop presence and access to exclusive Ray-Ban Prescription lens collections with Digital Surface Technology.
• HOYAcoreTechnology or IntegrationGijsen has worked with HOYA lens manufacturer for over 35 years, using their lens technology including EnRoute Pro, Sync IIIi, WorkStyle V+, and MYSELF progressive lenses. The partnership enables access to advanced lens coatings and technologies.
• Zuyderland-Eyescan (Oogartsen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGijsen's optometrists work closely with ophthalmologists at Zuyderland-Eyescan, enabling faster referral pathways for patients requiring cataract surgery or other ophthalmological interventions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hans Anders: Budget-oriented Dutch optical chain with many stores. Competes on price-sensitive prescription eyewear and hearing care (Hans Anders Hoorcentrum), pressuring independent players like Gijsen on basic product segments.
• Beter Horen: Dutch hearing care chain offering hearing tests, hearing aids, and aftercare. Directly comparable to the Gijsen Horen side of the business and competing for the same hearing-impaired demographic in the Netherlands.
• Pearle Opticiens: Well-established Dutch optical chain offering prescription glasses, contact lenses, and eye tests across numerous locations. Directly comparable in product mix and customer segment, competing for the same local consumer base as Gijsen.
• Eye Wish Opticiens: Dutch optical retail chain offering prescription glasses, contact lenses, and eye examinations. A directly comparable mid-market chain competing for the same consumer base with similar in-store clinical capabilities.
• Audika (Schoenmaker Audiciens): Dutch hearing care retailer (formerly Schoenmaker) providing hearing tests, hearing aids, and audiology services. Direct competitor to Gijsen Horen with similar clinical service model.
• Specsavers: Large international optical and audiology retail chain with significant Dutch presence. Directly competes with Gijsen on prescription eyewear, contact lenses, eye examinations, and hearing aids, but at much greater scale and price competitiveness.

Others

• Eyescan: Eye laser and lens implantation clinic chain. Gijsen's Eyescan Premium Partner since 2009, performing pre- and post-operative care for Eyescan patients — a clinical alliance partner rather than direct competitor.
• HOYA Lens Nederland: Global lens manufacturer and Gijsen's primary lens supplier for over 35 years. Comparable as a technology partner and ecosystem enabler rather than a competitor; relevant to understanding Gijsen's lens technology stack.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gijsenzienenhoren

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gijsen