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Richard H Marcus, OD
Category: Health and Medical Optometrists Optometrists [Edit]
512 Westline DrSte 104
(between Shorepoint Ct & 8th St)
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 523-6339
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 8 am - 5 pm
Sat 8 am - 4 pm
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
About This Business:
Comprehensive, personalized eye exams, contact lens fititngs of all types including bifocal, colored, contacts for astigmatism. We have a great… read more »
12 reviews for Richard H Marcus, OD
12 reviews in English
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Review from Nik j.
Brooklyn, NY
12/28/2011
I am a recent transplant to the west and was in need of an eye doctor asap! After meeting with Dr. Marcus, I was hooked! He is an awesome doctor and very kind to his patients. He is extremely attentive and obviously loves what he does. His office also has a wide selection of wonderful frames to choose from. I was extremely happy with the service and certainly felt like I got my money's worth! Trust me, you will be in good hands :). Wherever you reside in the East Bay he is worth the travel to the tiny island :)
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Review from Sadie V.
San Francisco, CA
12/21/2010
I have been going to Dr. Marcus for 10 years now. Even though I moved to San Francisco from the East Bay 4 years ago, I still drive over the Bay Bridge and through the tunnel to Alameda every 6 months for my exam.
The reason is, it's rare to find a doctor of any kind who treats their patients like real people. Dr. Marcus does a very thorough exam, taking the time to review my previous year's exam notes with me, and to do the tests thoroughly. He is always warm and asks lots of questions about my life as well. I have referred several family members to him, and he always asks after everyone.
The staff is always pleasant and acts happy to see me. After all these years they greet me like an old friend.
Despite the reviews some others have written here, I have never once felt "pressured" to buy glasses or contacts. In 10 years I have only bought one pair of glasses from Dr Marcus, since I mainly wear my contacts, and the staff helped me pick out really cute frames that I have loved for years.
I have always felt like my eye health and comfort has been their top priority. If anything they always seem concerned about how much things will cost me, and when I request to have my contacts shipped (so I don't have to make the drive again the next week) they always warn me carefully about the few extra dollars for shipping. -
Review from Glass H.
Alameda, CA
Updated - 6/28/2011
Dr. Marcus is still the best optometrist I've ever seen, in terms of both technical skills and interpersonal skills. I personally found it difficult to work with the front office staff this year, but you may have better luck.
Contacts: The office seems to stock mainly Acuvue lenses. Lately there is more pressure to buy contact lenses from the office, preferably a year's supply, but if you do be aware that there may be a $5 per box restocking fee if the lenses do not work out for you. They can order your lenses for office pick-up on the next business day, which is really rather wonderful. Contact lens fittings are $130 in addition to the regular exam fee.
Exam: Very thorough and includes a visual field exam. Dr. Marcus' prescriptions are very accurate, and he takes time to explain matters of prescription and health.
Eyeglasses: A limited selection of eyeglass frames is available. I have never bought any.
Pricing: Pricing is, I think, toward the higher end for the services offered. VSP is accepted and will cover a regular eye exam less copay. However, if you are moving into a new contact lens with this office--which can happen unexpectedly if your lens is discontinued, or if you are just new to the office--you will pay an additional $130 contact lens fitting fee. Contact lenses are priced somewhat above the cheapest internet price, but the cost is not crazy high.
Issues: My experience was that the contacts prescribed did not fit well, resulting in a painful red eye. I found it odd that the front desk staff spent a fair bit of energy arguing with me about returning unopened boxes of lenses, but no one ever offered to check my painful red eye. A little too much business, not quite enough healthcare, but since this is not the norm for this office I will continue to work with them.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/30/2007
Dr. Marcus is seriously skilled. I trust him with my eyes and my kid's eyes. He does a very… Read more »
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Review from Lydie T.
Alameda, CA
2/28/2008
I went to this office after reading the reviews on Yelp. The doctor (a woman) was great, very patient, answered all my questions and I was never rushed.
The staff there is one of a kind. Taylor is friendly, knowledgable, and above all very caring. She helped me find two new pairs of glasses in less than 20 minutes. Never happened before for me (it usually takes two hours of putting and taking off glasses). She looks at your face, skin tone, nose bridge and helps you find the best for you without feeling desperate. I can highly recommend this office! -
Review from Stephy Y.
Alameda, CA
9/11/2009
I agree, he is a good doctor, and he does very good eye exams. I used to see him all through high school.
HOWEVER, he tries to sell you things you don't need and charges you for things you don't need.
Firstly, I wear contacts but I also get a pair of glasses for when I'm not wearing my contacts. I got contact lenses through him the year before and the following year I went to him and wanted to get glasses and he said that it was okay and tried to order me glasses but it turns out that the insurance didn't cover it. In other words, he looked at my papers and knew that my insurance didn't cover it which meant I'd have to pay for it out of my pocket. Trying to sell me glasses when I didn't want them.
Secondly, the same happened to my dad. My entire family (and relatives) go see him for vision care but he definitely tries to take advantage of us, trying to make money. My dad went in for an exam but didn't want glasses because he didn't need them. 2 weeks later, Taylor calls and said that his glasses were ready, trying to make my dad pay for them.
So as a result, my entire family stopped going to him for eye exams even if he is a good doctor because he's a businessman before he is a doctor, selling us unwanted things. -
Review from Apple O.
Alameda, CA
7/7/2010
I only recently started seeing Dr. Marcus this year after my sister had referred him to me. And I am glad that she did, because Dr. Marcus is very knowledgeable, friendly, and thorough. The office staff was great especially with my needs and explaining my vision coverage. My entire family are now patients of Dr. Marcus...
And, I certainly did not feel that Dr. Marcus tried to sell anything to me during my visits and always provided me with options which is always good. I would highly recommend Dr. Marcus to anyone!!! -
Review from R M.
San Francisco, CA
4/11/2011
Dr. Marcus is not only my favorite optometrist, but he is also in the top 2 doctors that I've ever been to. He's super cool and friendly, really thorough, and most importantly cares about you and your eyes.
My mom and I have been going to him for at least 10 years now and, like the reviewer below, I still trek to alameda for my appointments even after I moved to SF.
Highly recommended!!! -
Review from Christine L.
Alameda, CA
Updated - 7/29/2010
I'm sad to lower my rating for this office, but lately my experience here has been disappointing. Dr. Marcus himself is still a wonderful optometrist, but I have been finding that the office is a bit disorganized, and the staff has been more pushy than I'm comfortable with about getting me to purchase contacts and glasses from them.
On my last visit with Dr. Marcus year, he found that my prescription had changed (improved, w00t) in my right eye. During the exam, he asked if I was thinking about purchasing new glasses - he very honestly told me (which I greatly appreciated) that I probably didn't need to if I was happy with my current pair; so I told him that I would pass this time (I bought my current glasses from there only a year ago, and I really like them). When I was done with the exam, I decided to purchase some new contacts since I needed new ones for the right eye anyway. This is where my impression of the office started going downhill.
Minus star #1:
The staff started being surprisingly pushy about getting me to purchase a year's supply of contacts. I don't know if it's the economy or what, but I honestly never experienced this kind of pushiness in an optometrist's office before - this was seriously on the same level as the Asian optometry offices I've been to, which can get pretty bad! I told them I was only interested in half a year's worth to start off with since I wasn't prepared to spend that much that day, and would let them know if I needed any more. Still, they kept reminding me over and over again to REMEMBER to purchase from THEM when I wanted to get contacts, and was I sure I didn't want to buy a year's supply (to which I replied "yes, I'm sure" at least 3 times)? When they were finally done bugging me about getting contacts, the staff members (note this was the staff working at the reception, and NOT Dr. Marcus) started asking me if I wanted to get glasses that day. When I said "No", they AGAIN started to emphasize that I buy glasses from THEM when I decide to.
The whole time this was happening, my husband was quietly waiting for me in the waiting room. When we left, even he had to admit that they were being overly pushy. After putting in my order and making sure that they got my updated prescription, I was pretty much just ready to leave and have it all over with. Unfortunately, things didn't end there. Which leads to...
Minus star #2:
Several days later, I received a call from the office to say that my contacts arrived. However, when they told me the prescription they ordered, it was wrong! They still had my old (previous) prescription. The receptionist I talked to didn't quite believe me when I explained that Dr. Marcus had updated my right eye prescription, and that it should actually be lower (and I remembered specifically verifying this on the day I ordered the contacts). Dr. Marcus himself called me later that same day, but it turned out that he, too, could not find where he had written my updated prescription. This honestly baffled and worried me, because honestly - who likes the feeling that you can't count on your optometrist's records? Apparently, Dr. Marcus had written a small note of the update somewhere on my patient chart, but it was not very clear and easy to find for the receptionists (or even himself, apparently!), who were in charge of placing the contacts order. When they eventually figured it out, the receptionist called me back, but rather than apologize, she just sounded annoyed with not being able to find the correct prescription (which is understandable), but then proceeded to make sure I wouldn't mess up and take the wrong contacts when I picked them up. The whole tone in her voice just rubbed me the wrong way. I eventually went in and got the correct contacts, but not without yet ANOTHER reminder to make sure I purchase more contacts and glasses from that office.
Dr. Marcus is a great doctor, but it honestly worried me that he could be so careless/disorganized as to not even be able to find my updated prescription. The staff is friendly, but I was just completely put off by how pushy they were about me purchasing contacts and glasses there. If anything, their pushiness just makes me want to order elsewhere more!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/31/2009
I went to see Dr. Marcus based on the few reviews I saw on Yelp, and I'm so glad I did. I have been… Read more »
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Review from Kelly C.
Alameda, CA
5/21/2009
I love Dr. Marcus! Eye care doesn't get any better than this. I was used to going to the easy, peasy places. You know, the quick in -n-out places like Site for Sore Eyes. But Dr. Marcus is stratospheres above those places.
I've never had a more thorough eye exam. Dr. Marcus performed all sorts of tests on me that no place else ever has. I feel confident I receive the best care from him as far as preventative medicine. Thankfully I've not had to deal with any disease but he seems fully knowledgeable and capable to deal with that.
I absolutely adore Taylor. She helps out at the front desk and is great at picking glasses out for you! If you wear glasses you know it's important to get the right fit for your face. She's an expert! She won't let you buy a frame you really want if it doesn't look good. Even if you really rally want it. OK. I lie, I'm sure if you didn't care how it looked on your face and you really wanted it she would sell it to you. Taylor earns top marks for being a friendly, welcoming gal. She even helped me when I stopped in 5 minutes before closing to ask about sunglasses. She told me to come back the next day, but my face fell (bummer!) and she saw that so she took me in back and set me up right then and there. Now that's service my friends!
I feel so comfortable in this office. That's a lot coming from me. I have serious medical paranoia's! Whenever I step into a Dr. office I'm sure I'll be diagnosed with some inoperable disease. For example my first time at Dr. Marcus I was sure I had brain tumor because of all the headaches. Ended up being a wrong eye glass prescription issue. But once I was in the office my worries left me. Dr. Marcus is warm and comfortable. -
Review from S. E.
Alameda, CA
6/26/2009
Best optometrist ever!
Since Kaiser doesn't cover my eyes anymore, my brother and I decided to look up eye doctors in Alameda. We stumbled upon Dr. Marcus, and I am glad we did! It's a small doctor's office, and everyone there is very friendly (love you Taylor!). I never realized what lack of care Kaiser provided until I got here. All Kaiser did was test our eyes for a change in prescription. Dr. Marcus tested our eyes for glaucoma and other degenerative diseases as well. He puts in a lot of time and effort, and really cares about his patients. He's very laid back and funny too.
I love how Taylor will help me pick out glasses. She knows what she's talking about :)
Take this: I go to school in Davis, so when it came time for me to pick up my contacts, he brought them up to Davis to save me a trip (his son goes here too). How nice! -
Review from timothy r.
Alameda, CA
10/15/2010
Dr. Marcus is a great Doctor, what makes him so? In one word, Thoroughness. I don't know about all the staff stuff I read, Taylor (now retired) was as sweet as could be. Maybe the new woman is different, but that shouldn't affect seeing Dr. Marcus. The guy fixes my glasses for free every dang month, I bend them somehow and he has never been anything but gracious. Don't forget, Alameda is an island community, we support out independent business and sometimes it costs a little more than going to Walmart, but Walmart doesn't have Dr. Marcus either.
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Review from a b.
Cupertino, CA
12/14/2006
Everyone in the office is pretty friendly and upbeat. The doctor is very knowlegdable and makes you feel comfortable.
