Eye Q Optometry
Category: Eyewear & Opticians [Edit]
Neighborhood: Noe Valley4017 24th St
(between Castro St & Noe St)
San Francisco, CA 94114 (415) 821-3937
- Hours:
Tue 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Wed-Fri 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Sat 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
43 reviews
Neighborhood: Union Square
"This place is like crack for me. If I have money and go in there I will inevitably walk out having just ordered a new pair of glasses.…" read more »
23 Reviews for Eye Q Optometry
I love Dr. Tom. My husband and I have been patients for over 10 years. We still go to Dr. Tom even after moving to Berkeley from SF. Eye Q has a great selection of frames and top-tier service to go along with Dr. Tom's expertise.
After reading several different yelp reviews and noticing that most people are rating the selection of glasses instead of the skill of the optometrist, I went with Dr. Tom. The reviews are right: she's a dream optometrist.
First, she's warm, funny, informative and thorough. Her state-of-the-art equipment makes the exam fast and accurate. And she was extremely patient as I settled in to really see the difference between "number 1" and "number 2."
Second -- and this is a big one if you just want new lenses for your current frames -- she doesn't send the frames out to some random place to get the lenses put in (meaning you'd be without glasses for a week) like other places do. She orders the lenses, then you come back, she puts them in your frames, and you're only visionless for a few hours.
Third, the frames selection is fantastic. I was keeping my frames, but I checked the frames out anyway, and they're as stylish as the window displays Eye Q is known for.
I've had crap vision all my life, so I've been to many, many optometrists, and Dr. Tom is the best I've ever been to. Six stars.
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Strange experience, I was looking for a new eye doc, and more concerned about quality eye care and less about frame selection.
I read these reviews, and walked in to see the shop and possibly make an appointment, which I did.
BUT, after making the appointment, I got a call the next day to say they had just changed their policy and needed a credit card number to HOLD the appointment...... SO many things wrong with this.
1) Why call back a new patient and ask for this information, after the appointment was made. I was clearly unhappy with the request. Start the NEW policy when you remember to tell the patient at the time they make the appointment, you forgot to tell me, your fault, not mine.
I felt discriminated against.
2) How many doctors do you know that require a credit card number for an appointment? This smells of LA/NY plastic surgeons. Certainly not a common practice for professionals in SF.
3) This is not a hotel reservation, if your patients don't show up for a scheduled appointment, don't rebook them or ask THEM for a credit card next time they make an appointment.
I am sure my patronage will not effect the success of the business, and I am sure I will go back to my eye doc of 15 years or perhaps find another with less arrogance and equally good medical attention.
Unfortunate experience.
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I've seen the frames at Eye Q and like them a lot. I walked in and confirmed that they take my insurance. Later I went home and read the reviews and was excited to find out how much everyone loves this place.
Only problem, you can't get a Saturday appt if your a new patient. Well, how do you become a patient if you can't come any other day? I have two kids and can't come in during their weekday hours. I'm able to come in early while my husband watches them. He can just be a little late for work. But, Eye Q doesn't take an appt until 10:30. I wouldn't be home until lunch to relieve my husband. That's too late for him.
I guess I could get a babysitter, but at $15 an hour, that really increases the cost of my eye appt. What do other mom's do? All my other doctors open much earlier and take Sat appts. I could take an appt somewhere else and then fill the prescription at Eye Q. However, not so convenient to have to go to two appts. Time is a premium as it is with two small kids.
I'm bummed. I think everyone should be able to get in on Sat, not just past clients.
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I'm not a doctor loving kind of person, but I really do not mind going to see Dr. Tom. She is one of the best doctors--eye or otherwise--that I've ever visited. It seems as if others are catching on to her as well, as it's getting more and more difficult to schedule an appt these days.
What makes Dr. Tom different? She really takes the time to tailor the exam to what you need, your concerns, and your wants. I'm practically blind, so this is invaluable to someone like me. It is hands-down the most thorough and accurate contact lens fitting I've ever had. Dr. Tom goes the extra mile to order various different contacts just to see if one could be slightly more comfortable than the other. For years I've found contacts just too annoying to be worthwhile, but after visiting Dr. Tom, I've finally found a pair that I can wear for long periods without any redness or irritation.
I've also visited Dr. Tom with more serious eye ailments--like an eye infection. Under these circumstances, she immediately made time to see me and followed up with me well after my eye was healed. That level of treatment is hard to find.
Most of all, she is just a very likeable and friendly person who treats you as if you are human, not a stupid idiot who has stupid questions. She always remembers me when I visit, is up-to-date with my records, and as an extra bonus, talks to me about things other than small talky how are you doing types of stuff.
Bonus on top of bonus--the selection of glasses are great. They are pricey, for sure, but the staff will help you choose out frames that look good on your face (I've received so many compliments on my glasses that I actually prefer wearing them over contacts now). With this level of service and care, I would go to Dr Tom regardless of cost. I cannot say enough about her or Eye Q.
I simply have never had such a good optometry experience. Dr. Tom is funny, genuinely funny, knowledgeable, and there's no air puff glaucoma test!!! (Can't stress how much I hate that thing). I got a great pair of frames, which took me a while, mostly because there was a lot to choose from.
They're open late during the week too, which is convenient for we 9-5 stiffs.
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Dr. Tom is great! I love that they close at 7 pm on a couple days of the work week! She is extremely kind, patient and thorough. I just had my second annual exam and good news - my eyes are improving (though that is not why I am giving 5 stars). They also have a creative seasonal display which is always nice to admire when you walk down 24th. Her assistants are friendly and helpful as well, they actually call to confirm your appointments. I find their frames on the pricier side, but I'm glad that their service matches their top-notch products. They accept VSP too.
Love this place!
Love Dr Kimberly!
Love Kathy!
Love the frames!
Ok . . .desk staff could be warmer and fuzzier, but I won't take stars away because of that.
And yeah, they do close for lunch. Everyone should close for lunch. Everyone needs a real break in the middle of the day - its civilized.
Dr Kimberly's exam is extremely thorough and she's very patient when you can't tell if Number 1 or Number 2 is more clear! And she's funny!!! And, they let you use the bathroom !! I'd give them 10 stars just for that !!!
They have really nice products (beautiful glasses), but are unfortunately rude and look down on their customers. I would go some place else, if I found the same glasses in another store...
Every staff person here is adorable and amiable. Dr. Tom is all-business, efficient and all her tools are high-tech. She's a nice change from my previous old-school optometrist. And I love Carmen! She and I kept chatting away before I realized I *still* hadn't made a choice on my frames.
The selection here is great and sophisticated, and ranging in price from reasonable ($120) to extremely high end ($400+). Lots of designs by LaFont that are really gorgeous but the pricetag after what insurance covers can break your heart. You've been warned: this is the very antithesis of LensCrafters. Prepare your wallet.
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My eye sight is GREAT!
I still need to get my eyes checked and this is the place for me.
The people are nice and there selection of glasses is top notch.
PLUS, they have a cell free zone inside and they close for lunch and to me that means they have there priorities straight!!
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Love it! Friendly but professional service. Very thorough exam. Dr. Tom even helped me pick out my last frame--and I'm very happy with them. She is also very quick to get back to me when I'm having contact problems--dry eyes, my astigmatism acting up. My only gripe is that I have a new insurance, and they don't accept it:(
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I've been a patient here for 8 years...and during 5 of those years I was actually living most fo the year in Dallas...I would just make sure to schedule my annual eye exam for a time when I was home for a visit. They have always been professional, friendly, and super helpfull...they even shipped my contact lenses to me in TX a couple times when I wasn't able to come in to pick them up. I'm really happy to be back living in SF full time......and to be able to walk by the Eye Q storefront daily on my way to work....I love all the creative displays they come up with. Their selection of glasses is to die for...I'm actually finally going to buy a new pair next year and I can't wait to go browsing through their stock of awesome frames!
I've been a patient of Dr. Tom's for nearly 10 years, and am pleased to report that she's a fantastic optometrist. She's thorough, thoughtful, attentive and engaging. I look forward to my appointment every year, and know that - when I leave - I can be confident that Kim has performed a rigorous examination. They accept California VSP, so my exam was covered - with the exception of my contact lens fitting. It's a pleasant visit to a great neighborhood.
For the past few years I've purchased all my contact lenses, prescription glasses, and sunglasses here. The staff is excellent and alwasys extremely helpful for those chronic procrastinators that don't order extra contacts until they run out. They have a fantastic selection of premium frames and are very prompt with getting lenses made.
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These guys are so nice here! AND they have super cool frames. But most importantly they value their customers/patients and even donated money to my fundraising efforts for SF AIDS Marathon!
I wanted to take advantage of my VSP plan before my time was up and get another pair of glasses ( to wear with different outfits, natch). I searched high and low for cool frames. I didn't want frames like everyone else's but at the same time, I didn't want something so unique (crazy orange zebra print ) that that's all you'd notice... I wanted eyewear that would stand the test of time, not the eyewear equivalent of parachute pants. I must have looked in 50 shops over 4 or 5 months. Then I found Eye Q. They had the ONE pair I loved. And the staff is really great. Go. Go now. Blurry vision, be damned.
The most thorough eye exam I've ever had. period.
Dr. Tom is the best! Great selection, too.
i really enjoy going to eye q; dr kim is awesome, she is very thorough, professional and personal at the same time; the staff is super friendly and the frame selection is interesting.
they have a great selection of prodesigns...and other few highend unique frames....don't be fooled by the small interior...they have drawers and drawers filled with cool frames...i probably bought about 4 pairs here....3 prodesigns (one is in my profile picture)...and 1 ray ban....
and cathy is the best at picking out the right frames....although the smaller interior...i should give 4 stars...but because cathy always finds "the one" for me...i had to give 5 stars...kim and cathy are cool dynamic duo that knows what frames work for me...and maybe you
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Man, what a creative display they all come up with. Love Eye Q....always getting my glasses, contacts, and sunglasses there. Dr. Kim surely knows her stuff well and Kathy is great working on my frames! Always going back there just to see what they got new. I remember when Dr. Kim first opened Eye Q! Been back ever since. Did I mention she's family too????
I hate anyone touching my eyes, or even pretending that they are going to touch them! I'm one of those people who gets extremely squeamish at just the thought of having my eyes checked. I've had a fear of contacts for as long as I remember,and it wasn't until two years ago that I even needed glasses! My mom, dad and brother had all been seeing Dr. Tom for years, so when I discovered I was having trouble seeing far away my mom told me that I should see her too. I told her I wasn't happy to be there and she completely understood. Somehow she got the whole examination over in minutes and I didn't know what had happened. She had this great way of warning me when she would get close to my eyes, but without giving me toooo much warning. "I'm going to put the eye drops in now, okay? Okay, one, two three....done!" Huh? How did she do that?! She was so sensitive to my fears, thoroughly professional throughout, and explained everything in real human words for me. Did I mention I was almost half an hour late for the appointment? I got a little attitude from the receptionist, but I really couldn't blame her, and Dr. Tom didn't even bring it up. I'll definitely be going to Dr. Tom for as long as she's in business. The frames they had at the time didn't suit my face, but I have a very small face, so I wasn't surprised. Of course the only pair I liked were out of my price range, but if I had a more normal sized head I'm sure I would have bought frames from her. It's not her fault my head is abnormally small! All in all, a great experience and seriously changed my attitude about going to the eye doctor. I'm due for another visit...can't wait! Okay, well, that's not exactly true, but I'm sure as heck glad I'll be seeing Dr. Tom!
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