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Arena EyeWorks
Categories: Health and Medical Optometrists Shopping Eyewear & Opticians Optometrists, Eyewear & Opticians [Edit]
3750 Sports Arena BlvdSte 9
(at Hancock St)
San Diego, CA 92110
Neighborhood: Midway
(619) 224-2879
- Hours:
Mon-Tue, Fri 8 am - 5 pm
Wed-Thu 8 am - 6:30 pm
Sat 9 am - 3 pm
- Price Range:
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$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
We specialize in serving you for all of your vision needs. We offer the latest technology in LASIK Vision Correction along with a designer Optical Center.
34 reviews for Arena EyeWorks
Review Highlights
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"They have state of the art equipment and know how to use it." In 3 reviews -
"The customer service has been fantastic all the way around." In 5 reviews -
"The eyeglass frame selection is the best I've found in San..." In 3 reviews
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34 reviews in English
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Review from Jay V.
San Diego, CA
5/20/2012
My first visit was a pleasant experience all around. I received the same great service as all of the other 5 star reviewers. Top Notch.
I did end up spending more than I had originally anticipated, but that was my fault for wanting to look good and buying multiple pairs of glasses. They really do have a great selection of frames, and a patient staff to guide you every step of the way. -
Review from Manon M.
Encinitas, CA
5/4/2012
The staff is super sweet and really professional. Dr. Langford and Jessica rock! I totally recommend this office to you if you need an eye exam or need to have an extensive assortment of really nice glasses. I do love the glasses they picked out for me and I get lots of compliments on them.
Almost a five star, but last year when I got my glasses made, they didn't send them out right away so I had to wait extra weeks. Then when the glasses came in somone had used the perscription for my *other* glasses, so I had to wait more weeks for the fix! This was likely a fluke, but it could happen to you! To make matters more frustrating, the person who called me to tell me the glasses were ready, spoke all garbled, didn't leave their office hours on the message and then raced through the phone number at the end. I really think some customer service training could have helped that person, but everyone else was top notch! -
Review from John B.
La Mesa, CA
2/17/2012
Great service by both Carlos and Ruby. They both went out of their way to help me with issues I had with several frames due to the weight of them causing discomfort.
I went in for an adjustment on the eyepads yesterday and I think I finally have the right fit and style thanks to their help.
Highly recommend! -
Review from Suzanne C.
San Diego, CA
4/28/2012
I love this place. The Doctors are fantastic, the selection of eyewear is great and aside from parking constrictionns, due to Phil's, this spot is fabulous for eyeglasses and Optometry!
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Review from Jessica M.
San Diego, CA
4/1/2012
The staff was so awesome! I was greeted immediately when I walked in for my appointment. Every single encounter with a staff member was warm and welcoming and they truly put their patients first. Every staff member was extremely knowledgeable and helpful during my visit. Carlos helped me pick a fantastic pair of frames and I could not be more happy with the service I was provided with. My appointment was with Dr. Langford, and he was able to break everything down in terms that I could understand. The appointment was easy, thorough, and a fantastic experience. Overall, I was highly please and I would definitely recommend this place and it's an awesome atmosphere. Thanks so much for all of your help! I can't wait to come back.
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Review from Aura M.
San Diego, CA
3/15/2012
Arena EyeWorks and all their staff are definitely worth a well deserve 5 stars. The doctors are kind and take their time and explain in detail your exam and what they recommend for care.
The staff is always very friendly and kind. I have been a patient for a long time and will stay with them for as long as they will help -
Review from Clarissa A.
San Diego, CA
1/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
The doctors here are friendly and professional. Shout out to my old doctor, Dr. Cohen, and to my new doctor, Dr. Goldsmid. Thank you for your kind service and always answering my questions about eye care. This facility has the latest technology and provides refreshments in the waiting room. The friendly staff call you for your follow up appointments and annual visits. They allow you to pick up contacts or have them delivered directly to you. The selection for eyeglasses and contacts are wide ranging. I have been coming here for about 8 years and have not switched eye doctors because of the service and quality of frames that they provide here. I live about 20 miles away and still, I refuse to switch to an eye doctor who is closer. Thank you very much!
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Review from Lyn S.
Carlsbad, CA
Updated - 4/2/2012
As always, the doctors and staff are second to none. It feels like a trip to the "eye Spa"! Their state of the art equipment insures that your sight is in the best professional hands, and just as importantly, the optical staff truly cares about your comfort. Cleanliness of the office and instruments is a high priority here, so rest assured that their clinical environment is to highest standard. And what an incredible selection of frames and styles! Something for everyone and every budget. From the receptionist to the optical staff, everyone who touches the patient is caring, friendly and attentive. I love it here and highly recommend Arena Eyeworks! Great coffee selection too!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/28/2010
Arena EyeWorks, its staff and Dr Goldsmid are among the best I've ever experienced. Their attention… Read more »
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Review from Rick I.
La Jolla, CA
12/4/2011
As many others in the reviews are stating, Arena Eyeworks is a state of the art facility. In addition the human touch is excellent. People are friendly and they always keep their time agreements. This combination of technology and human interaction is very rare. Whatever your needs, I'm certain that Arena Eyeworks can help you. I go to them because I wear CRT lenses. I have been going to them for at least 5 years and plan on staying on.
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Review from April J.
I've been spoiled with opticals all my life. To find a place with decent selection and great service, this is the place to go.
I have VSP and also flex spending and yet work with you and your insurance to get what you need.
Glasses need adjustment? Cleaning? They'll handle that for you at no charge. They also have top of the line technology to accurately evaluate your vision needs.
I know have LASIK and actually got a discount for having dr goldsmid and dr Cohen as my dr's. (see my review on dr Parikh )
I come now more for my LASIK follow up appointments, and also to see what cute sunglasses I can get this year.
If u go and need some optical attention, I recommend Ruby to help with selection and sizing. Tell her April sent u:)
Also another plus: THEY ARE RIGHT NEXT TO PHIL's BBQ -
Review from Gaby G.
San Diego, CA
9/6/2011
I signed up as a Yelp member specifically to rave about Arena EyeWorks and their team of experts (especially Ruby). My eye exam was thorough and the office has top quality, cutting edge equipment. Dr. Langford and Jessica were dedicated to making sure I got the correct prescription.
The eyeglass frame selection is the best I've found in San Diego. They carry beautifully made, unique frames that suit various styles and face shapes. My only caution is that these frames can be expensive; therefore, if you only wear glasses occasionally and are on a budget, this is not the place to purchase your frames. However, I am more than willing to spend extra in order to purchase flattering glasses that I will wear everyday, all day. And I found an awesome pair of glasses that can't be found anywhere else in San Diego.
Ruby, an eyewear expert, went above and beyond in helping me find the perfect frames for my face. She was honest, knowledgeable, and made me feel extremely comfortable. She dedicated a great deal of time to assisting me and then helped me overcome a vision insurance mishap. I am so excited about my new glasses and Ruby truly made my most recent visit to Arena EyeWorks outstanding.
Thank you Arena EyeWorks and thank you Ruby! -
Review from Karen M.
San Diego, CA
12/20/2010
I was surprised to see the one-star reviews posted here, because my experience has been exactly the opposite. Before hearing about Dr. Goldsmid, I had been to three other optometrists in San Diego who are darn lucky I wasn't yelping at that point. I couldn't be happier with Dr. Goldsmid and his staff.
I needed new progressive contacts and glasses and have "challenging" eyes. We didn't get the prescription 100% on the first go-round, but that's normal for me. The important thing was how patient Dr. Goldsmid has been and how much he wanted to get it right. He's seen me multiple times with no additional charge. I'm picky about my vision and he's nailed it.
Carlos, one of the technicians, is also fantastic. He's arguably the most experienced and knowledgeable technician I've been to. The customer service has been fantastic all the way around. And the physical environment is also quite nice -- well organized, calm, and good magazines in the waiting room for a change! (Why don't healthcare providers pay more attention to this small but important detail?)
As for price -- of course you're going to pay more here than Costco. Nearly everything costs less at Costco. So if you want budget eyecare, go to Costco. I'm not interested in budget anything when it comes to my health and well-being.
I'm a huge fan of Dr. Goldsmid and everyone at Arena Eyeworks. -
Review from Jen K.
San Diego, CA
9/23/2011
Great place and amazing service. Everybody from the front staff to the doctors are very helpful and a pleasure to be around. They sincerely care about the patient. Making an appointment is very easy and they remind you via e-mail and a phone call. There is very little wait time, the doctors are always prompt. The wait area is very nice with coffee and tea. If they only carried Hello Kitty frames, they would get 10 stars :)
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Review from Tanja B.
San Diego, CA
1/21/2011
3 days ago I had this horrible pain in my eyes I slept in wearing my contacts. My eyes became dry and as I removed the lenses I damaged my cornea. Dr . Langford who works in goldsmids office treated me immediately. The ladies at the front desk( I think Jennifer was her name and ..?) were great too. As I told them about my red painful eye I could come in right away. Not only this I wasn't covered by insurance and although I Visited into the office twice they charged me only once 105 $ for the complete treatment and follow up.
Today I'm fine again. Great care. Professional. Great customer service. Thank you so much. -
Review from Yselic M.
Escondido, CA
10/22/2011
I cannot say enough good things about Arena Eyeworks. The office is state-of-the-art and is immaculately clean and organized. I was very impressed with these attributes.
Dr. Goldsmid is a wonderful optometrist, a miracle worker. I had been told for years that I was not a candidate for contacts, and I related this to Dr. Goldsmid during my first consultation. He said he never had a patient for whom he could not fit contacts. True to his statement, I walked out of his office that day wearing contacts.
I have never been happier, finally able to wear contacts. I returned for my follow-up appointment and a very minor adjustment was made. He assured me that he would make certain I was completely satisfied with my contacts, no matter how many visits I needed. He made absolutely sure my prescription was perfect.
The office ladies and gentlemen have always been very polite, professional and accommodating. Several times, they provided me with single sets of "emergency" contacts--at no cost to me--when I had a delay receiving my order from another vendor. Incidentally, if you contemplate ordering contacts from Costco [which I regrettably did in the past], they will meet Costco's price and deliver the order much faster than Costco.
In all honesty, their prices may be slightly higher than other businesses. However, I have found that you truly "get what you pay for." If you value quality of service and expertise, I highly recommend you contact Arena Eyeworks. I have been and will continue to be a happy, satisfied customer. -
Review from Tina M.
San Diego, CA
3/13/2008
I had a TERRIBLE experience here back in September '06. I threatened to report them to the BBB, but never did. I just got back from my annual exam with Dr. Okamura in South Park, and after all this time, it's worse than I thought! His service is excellent, by the way.
Dr. Goldsmid and Co. charges TWICE as Robin Slykker at Costco, but their service is substandard because they are constantly trying to sell you something (even if you tell they are on a limited income), and they cut corners and are not honest. When I was there, Dr. Goldsmid was overstressed and overworked (and overly money-motivated), and therefore prone to errors. For years I was impressed with them, (back in the late 90's) because they claimed to give you the best service for Dry Eye, and that you can come back as many times as you want to find "the best contacts for you." In '06 I was told that I was given contacts that corrected my astigmatism, but Dr. Okamura just informed me (and proved to me) that that was simply not the case.
Overpriced, and low quality service, that was definitely my experience! -
Review from Mike P.
San Diego, CA
9/11/2011
I've been going to Arena Eyeworks for many years. Not only do they do greats on exams and prescriptions but I have received great care after having vision events. Highly recommended.
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Review from R. B.
San Diego, CA
8/25/2011
Dr. Goldsmid and the staff at Arena Eyeworks were awesome. I received V.I.P. treatment. I will never go anywhere else. They are the best.
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Review from AndiCat I.
San Diego, CA
5/12/2011
I took my mom in to Arena Eyeworks last month to get a new pair of glasses. Everyone was really great and professional there. The ladies at the counter were extremely helpful and my moms eye exam went VERY fast. I couldn't believe it because when I got my glasses (at a different place) it took hours, but we were in and outta there in 30 minutes tops. They had a great selection and my mom had no issue finding a great pair of frames. She wasn't able to come back and get them, so they took her address and shipped the glasses directly to her house. She LOVES her new glasses. Everything went perfectly and my mom couldnt be happier. I know where Im gonna be going for my next pair of glasses... These people are absolutely top notch!
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Review from Danielle K.
San Diego, CA
8/8/2011
For some reason I've always had less than mediocre experiences with optometry services, but I really like Arena Eyeworks.
First of all, I had an appointment for a contact lens exam and I was stuck in really bad traffic and when I called to give a heads up I was afraid that I was going to have to reschedule but the staff was extremely friendly and understanding.
My last couple optometrist experiences have been sub par, to say the least (at different offices) but I think I have finally found a good optometrist. My appointment happened to be with Dr. Langford, and he is awesome! Very kind and extremely helpful. One of the biggest problems with my previous optometrists was that they were very pushy. Dr. Langford was really good at asking me about my use with contacts to help him come to a conclusion about what the best contacts were for me. He did his best to make me as a patient feel comfortable, I wasn't rushed and I definitely feel that I was given great customer service.
I asked about lasik and he also presented me with alternative options to lasik, which was nice to know for the future! All in all, it was a clean office, with state of the art equipment and what looked like a huge selection of glasses. Great service from everyone, especially Dr. Langford. -
Review from Jessica B.
Overland Park, KS
12/26/2011
I was travelling in the San Diego area for the weekend and my contact ripped in my eye. My aunt is a patient at Arena EyeWorks and they were able to get my contact brand and size within the hour. They are fabulous and they made my trip much better because I could see!
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Review from Clair V.
San Diego, CA
6/1/2010
I will caveat this review, I have only ever dealt with the optometrist side of things. I have never had anything but excellent service from them. My husband and I both have terrible eyesight and we have been regulars since moving to San Diego 6 years ago. I am notorious for running out of disposables always have a 'trial' pair ready for me to come pick up that day until my replacements get in. The man that does the pre-vist stuff is awesome, knowledgeable and knows and calls me by name, always a plus these days!!
Yes, they are a bit on the expensive side, but their equipment is topnotch latest technology. There are 3 optometrists, all are good but I like the woman one the best (can't remember her name)
Overall I would totally recommend it and give it five stars. It IS a little pricey but well worth it to me for the level of service I get. -
Review from Destany L.
San Diego, CA
4/7/2011
So the only reason I'm giving this place 4 stars is because they didn't (to me) have the widest selection of frames. I couldn't find one pair that fit me right. Even my dear Optician, Carlos kept stating "you're a hard fit." Well, I warned him.
Otherwise this place is pretty amazing. I dealt with two people, a beautiful brunette and Carlos. Carlos is grand; really, a stand up guy. I came in to the office after hours because there was a miscommunication in the times the place is open. Let me repeat, I came in late-nearly 2 hours, and they still let me in and treated me like any other customer. I did not feel rushed whatsoever. I was treated extremely well here as opposed to other places that just want to get you in and out. I wish they had more frames to choose from that fit my face well, but Carlos is in the process of ordering some frames for me anyhow. Well, I guess ill have to change the rating to a 5 once I get them. :) -
Review from Jeff P.
San Diego, CA
12/8/2011
My second time around, and they remain a great place for exams and glasses. Very complete exam with excellent follow-up. Can't wait to pick out my glasses and sunglasses!
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Review from John H.
San Diego, CA
4/7/2010
I was a customer of Arena Eyeworks for about 4 to 5 years. The reason that I stayed so long was due to their great eyeglass selection and awesome optometrist, John Castellano. Ruby is cool too. If you need a great Optometrist, then go see John Castellano. He really is the best and most thorough in SD. He found my sons astigmatism after several years of headaches under an optometrist in OB that did not find it. He really is amazing and will be missed.
They are overpriced but if you have pretty good insurance (VSP) money isn't much an issue. -
Review from Andres D.
Poway, CA
11/7/2011
Dr. Matthew Langford is the best optometrist I ever had. He and his staffs are very friendly and polite. They have the best state-of-the-art technology and was very impressive. Very nice accomodations like complimentary coffee, TV and wide selections of magazines that really help the waiting for the appointment which was minimal. I feel confident that I have the best care as a patient. I tell them what I need and they do all the rest. I have referred my friend/coworker and she was a very satisfied and happy customer. I definitely would recommend to others.
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Review from Patricia Y.
San Diego, CA
11/5/2011
I love Arena Eyeworks! My twin boys (age 11), and I have been going to Arena Eyeworks for many many years. The service is excellent, and they have state-of-the-art equipment. They are quick to respond; the office staff is wonderful to deal with and the optomotrists are all excellent. I have referred many friends to Arena Eyeworks. Try it; you'll like it.
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Review from Debbie Y.
San Diego, CA
2/9/2012
Arena Eyeworks is great! Optometrists have always discouraged me for years from trying contacts because I was on the fence about whether I'd be able to put my finger so close to my eye, but the first time I met with Dr. Langford I had my own contacts in less than an hour. Everyone was very patient as I struggled to get them in and out the first time, but after a few weeks of trial and error at home I couldn't be happier. The only thing I miss at Arena is buying a pair of their gorgeous frames (I still have a pair of beloved Hoffman Horns that I use as my reading glasses when I don't have my contacts in that they have helped me keep in good condition). I started going to Arena Eyeworks at the suggestion of my husband after going somewhere else where they put drops in my eye that dilated them so much I couldn't drive home. with Optimap, no drops! And their equipment is state of the art! I don't know the name of the thing-a-ma-jig that they use to calibrate your prescription, but whatever that is, they now have connected to a computer so it's all done remotely. Cool stuff!
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Review from AeMwhY F.
San Diego, CA
2/27/2009
I special ordered a highend pair of Gucci glasses ($600) and will never do business with this company again.
1) The customer service stinks - my first visit to order the frames the Sales manager came off rude with his lack of interest as me for a customer.
2) Expectations missed by a mile - I was advised that my order would take 10-14 days. On day 13 I called to see if my order was on schedule to be completed the follwoing day. They gave me the run around and didn't know when my order would be complete. 2nd call back a week later I got the same information. I was starting to think they were not a legitimate business. 3rd call back a week later (4 weeks from my order date)... they told me someone would call me back. NO ONE called back. I called for the 4th time and was finally told that my glasses were on back order. Why didn't they tell me that the first 3 times I called?
3) ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I get a call that my glasses are in and they turn out to be the right frame but the wrong color. So they re-order the RIGHT frame. .. again.
4) A couple weeks later I get a call that my frames are in. I go to pick them up and they pre-cut the lense before they received the frame and so the lenses didn't fit right in the frame. They ended up only fixing the right lense and not the left and it took another week to fix.
It took them two months to get these glasses right which I could have gotten from another optomotrist in two days. -
Review from Derek P.
San Diego, CA
8/25/2011
Arena EyeWorks is Top Notch in knowledge, technology, customer service and style. They have state of the art equipment and know how to use it. Dr. Goldsmid is way ahead of the game when it comes to eye care. Step into Arena EyeWorks and you'll see why.
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Review from Anne T.
La Jolla, CA
8/12/2011
Everyone in our family needs glasses. We have been going to Arena EyeWorks for several years and find Dr. Goldsmid to be exceptional. He always takes the time to fully explain each step of the process and the frame selection is outstanding. They offer design-forward products and the staff is friendly and professional. The office is lovely and the equipment is nothing less than state of the art. I would highly recommend them.
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Review from Brent M.
Scotts Valley, CA
11/26/2008
They have always been great everytime I go. I needed to re order diposable contacts, I had been wearing mine way past the recommended time table. They quickly ordered me a couple new boxes, and they un expectedly went to the back and got me a pair to wear in the meantime. They did not have to do that, and they even let me go in the back and put them on. Its the little things........and that makes me come back.
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Review from Sara M.
San Diego, CA
8/17/2007
Dr. Michael Goldsmid will spend a great amount of time with a patient in order to determine that he has met the client's needs. I went in to be fit for contacts and they had me try on three pairs and ordered three trial pairs over the period of a month just to make sure the fit was precisely correct. I was so impressed by how they took the time to acommodate me. As opposed to Kaiser, who in the past quickly fit me improperly and shoved me out the door to help the next person. However, although the Arena Eyeworks is wonderful with client care, one must pay attention to the administrative functions undertaken by staff to ensure no mistakes are made. Overall, I think they are definitely worth looking into if you usually have trouble with contacts in terms of dryness, etc. They also do Lasik and have an eyewear boutique showcasing the hottest new mix of chic and hard-to-find eyeglass frames. I really love all the diamond studded frames they have. Super cute!
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Review from Sean L.
3/10/2009
i've made one visit to arena eyeworks, and also one visit to any optometrist during my adult life (meaning first time since not being on mommy's insurance). perhaps paying for everything myself left more of an impression on me, because i have no idea how much my glasses used to cost.
i did feel the exam portion was very efficient and state of the art. the part that threw me was how much i felt they were trying to push me in to extras and add-ons throughout the exam, and especially at the end when i was picking my frames. while i was waiting for the doc, they put on an "informational video" to inform you about the benefits of adding glare reduction, transistions lenses, and other fancy stuff. when it came time to buy, they made sure to ask "did you see the video?". i appreciate them trying to teach someone about these things, but it really was like they were setting you up and making you feel better about spending more cash.
the saleswoman was very nice and friendly- but she did really cling to one pair of frames that i felt were not fit for me at all, and told her immediately but she kept pushing them (maybe she got a bigger commission off of them?). eventually i was able to go away from them and pick a pair i liked better. then she hit me up for glare reduction (which i agree is not a bad thing), but they had two levels of quality. well who wants the crappier level? especially when you sell it with the "don't even bother with that one, it sucks" attitude. then she kept pushing me to get transitions. i immediately said no, but that wasn't clear enough. apparently i look like a molester- because i don't believe a normal person needs transitions, there's something weird about them never becoming all the way clear... and i like normal looking sunglasses, not molester-lens-changing glasses. anyway she brought up the transitions 2-3 more times during the frame selection process (again, maybe for commission reasons?) lastly she really wanted me to buy prescription ray bans. first off, i've never owned, or plan to own a pair of ray bans. second, the bill is already adding up, i'm not rich, and don't need to spend $300 on a pair of prescription sunglasses. the final weird thing while adding up the bill- they offer a service to "take a picture of the inside of your eye" to check it's health. well they didn't tell me this was optional, they just did it like it was a normal part of the exam. well it was normal, until they tacked on $75 more dollars for it. i would have at least liked to know i had the option to skip that part.
in total, even with my apparently awesome eye insurance, i still spent just over $300. frames, lenses, exam, glare reduction. i was not very impressed with the selection of frames, luckily i found one pair that worked. lastly, after giving them my money, i at least hoped they'd remember me. i received a call that my glasses were ready, and was down there within 10 minutes and the saleswoman (who i just talked to on the phone) had no idea who i was. didn't make me feel like a valued customer. they have my scheduled for my next appointment in december, however i think i'll go shopping for another eye doctor.
