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Categories: Optometrists, Eyewear & Opticians [Edit]
Neighborhood: CastroMon-Fri. 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
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I had to cancel the appointment with the Doc last weekend because I had to attend the meeting with the president of my company and the president suddenly decided to have the meeting like one hour before my eye doctor appointment.
So I called the Doc and he told me pleasantly that it was OK for me to cancel it"
Today, I saw him and everything went well.
They are all friendly here and I always enjoy their great service.
Yesterday was my first visit, and I'm now a fan. The folks there are helpful, but not pushy -- Dr. Tom is one of the most personable ODs I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.
You know those places you DON'T want to to in a an "just browse" -- this isn't one of them.
I already had made an appointment with another optometrist when I discovered that the other place had an AVERAGE of 1 star on Yelp. The one-star place's next appointment was 3 weeks away, so when I found myself near Urban Eyes I walked in to see if might like them.
I do.
The front office staff and doctor are friendly, professional, and helpful. The appointment man offered me a same-day appointment (I opted for the next day). The one-star place had insisted on my husband's social security number to verify the VSP benefits; Urban Eyes looked up the coverage by his name. They explained that they needed to get VSP to un-allocate the appointment from the one-star doctor, but the Urban Eyes man did all that without me having to get involved.
The staff also let me know ahead of time that my glasses would take extra time because of some of the options I'd chosen. No problem, since they'd set my expectations and given me a reasonable explanation.
They'd be perfect if they had a broader selection of frames. They don't carry the graphite ones I'd gotten elsewhere (and whose reuse caused the delay.)
I promised Christine and Liberty that I would write a positive review if I got compliments on my new glasses so here it is. This is a wonderful store and the selection of eyewear is excellent and unique. The staff are helpful and smart.
Can't say they have the sharpest people working there. I called and mid call was told they were to busy to answer in insurance question. They took my name and number and never called back. I followed up the next day and the clerk could not answer wether they accepted my insurance or not......did not go any further with this group.
I don't know what the previous poster is complaining about; I've been going there for a couple of years now and the customer service at Urban Eyes is nothing short of OUTSTANDING.
I agree, the frame selection is small, but they do have nice frames, so don't hesitate to go inside and look anyway.
And if "the girl behind the counter" doesn't jump down your throat the minute you walk through the door, personally, I think it's a blessing. I didn't have that experience, anyway, they always took care of me, no matter how busy they were.
I really like the place, and would definitely recommend it to my friends.
I cannot vouch for the eye exam at Urban Eyes, but the customer service sucks. I walked in to look at frames and the girl working the front sat there and stared out the window the whole time.
They don't have a very large selection, and there is little rhyme or reason to the organization of their frames.
Yay!
I finally got myself around to getting my eyes checked, since I have this random holiday break from work. So I did my yelping and came across Urban Eyes. I gave them a call around noon today and was able to set up an eye exam at 4:30! Yay for efficiency.
So I get there. Short forms to fill out. Not a problem at all. The whole staff was pleasant and easy to just chat with. Go figure, the doctor recognizes me from the Knob Shop! I met with Dr. Surh and explained that it had been at LEAST 3 years since I've had my eyes examined. She was completely pleasant, thorough, efficient and explained things in terms I could understand. The eye exam was painless and she recommended a new type of contact lenses that I'm trying out for the next week.
Long story short, I think I found an eye doctor in the neighborhood that is awesome. Keep it local! Whee!
The best eye exam I have ever had. I got an appointment within a couple of days of calling and the exam was on time, efficient, practical, clean, smooth and fun - seriously, we laughed :-) Cannot remember the woman doctor's name, but she is super uber awesome and I will definitely be back!
They even set me up with a great recommendation for laser eye surgery and were patient with all of my 50 questions in the 2 minutes I had to spare. I'm not very coherent on my lunch breaks, so I was impressed with what a great experience it was.
Go team!
I am in love with my new optometrist at Urban Eyes. LOVE HIM. I am a smitten kitten.
Dr. Lawrence is a very handsome, good-natured boy who looks about mid to late twenties and talks with a gentle humor that puts me to ease immediately.
When I met him, I mentioned how young he looked. He told me his real age (which wasn't twenties) and whispered, "It's the Asian thing. When you're Asian, you're either young or Yoda." Obviously, I was having way too much fun for someone having compressed air poofed into my eyeballs.
This doctor is not only excellent with his patients, he knows how to win me over...with candy. There is a bowl of lollipops at the counter, which is wonderfully distracting when a doctor is an inch from your face. I stuck one in my mouth and whittled away at it while Dr. Lawrence turned dials and switched on lights and asked, "Better? Or worse?"
Optometry appointments are awkward for me. They always feel a little like a very sterile smooch between teenagers on a first date. First the guy leans in, then pulls away, and then he leans in, and then pulls away and mumbles something, and then he leans in...it goes on for torturous lengths of time and makes you all sweaty and nervous until finally, he pulls away for the last time.
Thankfully, sugar and good humor disarm me immediately in those situations, as is evident in the courtship between me and my hub. Basically, twenty-kajillion years ago, my husband cracked a joke and gave me a Baby Ruth. And then, the wedding bells.
There are so many good things to say about my new optometry office, which is never, ever the case when I have an appointment to visit any doctor. He was charming, helpful, quick and efficient. It was a refreshing experience, and made me want to stop eating carrots and stare at the sun so I can go back to visit again as soon as possible.
Also, the receptionist was very thorough in payment options for my VSP plan, which was greatly appreciated considering the health care maze I've had to maneuver around since SFUSD changed their coverage. (And for you teachers out there with this type of coverage, the cost is as follows: $10 co-pay, $68 contact fitting, $150 towards glasses OR contacts every TWO years. And not every optometry office that offers VSP coverage will take SFUSD employees, as I was disappointed to discover. Take note, public school teachers!)
https://www.vsp.com/me...
Have to admit I usually went to LensCrafters for a fast exam and a year's supply of contacts, but Dr. Lawrence opened my eyes!
He was so thorough and spent time going over my vision and how using a computer can impact how you choose your eyeware and so on. I felt really cared for, and since when does anyone get to say that about a medical experience? What a great and caring optometrist.
The store was great (very trendy frames and nicely arranged) and I can't wait for my new glasses!
Great people - and now with John Varvatos frames - LOVE!
I did a long online search before choosing an optometrist in SF (pre-Yelp sadly), and this was my kind of place; it was easy to get to, there was no "we specialize in KIDS!" braggotry and such. And upon my first visit, I knew I'd need to go nowhere else.
The one thing is that I don't know who has seen me. It's never been Dr. Tom (is it Lawrence Tom or Tom Lawrence?), it's always been another guy, who I think introduced himself the first time as Peter, but I don't even know if he's an optometrist. I'm sure he is. Maybe I trust too easily!
They adjusted my glasses last week, and I'm WAY happy. Love them (the glasses) and love them (the staff). YAY!
If you're Asian like me...wait, I take that back, if you're a no-bridged Asian like me (or any other flavor that just doesn't have a bridge), then this is your place, baby!
Get your no-bridged self over to Urban Eyes, and they have frames that will - gasp - stay on your face. I shit you not. You can finally see, people! Never push your glasses with your index finger back onto your face! How sweet is that? The options here are endless. Colored frames to match my highlights? Sure! Someone wrote about librarian/sex kitten frames? Got those too!
This reminds me to totally go back and get my eyes checked, and they are indeed sweet folks. Dr. Tom does me righteously. Throw away those serial killer glasses and upgrade here at Urban Eyes.
Tip: Brethren of the No-Bridge, check out Kata Eyewear and ProDesign. I love 'em!
I've been on a man dry spell. I can only attribute it to my bad vision. I can't see the hot guys clearly because they all seem to be just a smidge blurry.
Hmm...maybe my eyes are getting worse? Mental rundown of last eye exam...HOLY SIGHTLESS WONDER, BATMAN!!! It's been two years since I had my eyes checked. For me, that's one year too long.
Anywho...I need me some man lovin' so I decided to Yelp out an Optometrist. I found this place and set up a same day appointment. Aw yeah...I'm a step closer to getting hot, hot mens. Or at least visually identifying them.
I go to my appointment and find out all sorts of vision goodies. I need to change my contacts every week. Not just think about doing it. Or else my eye lids will develop bumps and I'll never be able to wear contacts again...dun Dun DUN!!! Dr. Lawrence Tom also tells me that he can refer me to a Lasix doctor who is really good and that the consultation is free. Sweet...
I get new contacts and then go pick out new sexy librarian frames. I want to do one of those Untie-Your-Bun-Insta-Sex-Pot moves while taking off your glasses...but then I'd be blind again and feeling around for anything stable totally defeats the sexy image.
I go to pay and damn it ain't cheap but what price do you place on your vision? Mine is priceless, especially if I'm checking out a hot guy.
I was told that my vision is basically 20/400. It's bad...what normal visioned people can see at 400 feet I have to be 20 feet away to see it. Maybe that why I've been in a man drought. I can't even see the ones right in front of my nose!!!!
I got new glasses recently at Urban Eyes, and I think I look pretty darn good in them! They are Pro Design/cat eye/grey blue frames. Here's my rating for Urban Eyes:
A.. Plus one star:
1. Because they let dogs into their establishment, so my husband
could come inside with, Nala, the dog we were dog sitting.
B. Plus another star:
1. Because they gave our friend's dog a dog biscuit!
C. Plus another star:
1. For the great selection of frames that they carry.
a.They have Pro Design frames which are great for Asian
faces!
D. Plus another star:
1. For being very friendly and thorough in the eye exam.
E. Plus another star:
1. For getting my glasses turned around so quickly!
F. Plus another star:
1. For taking my insurance plan.
G. Plus one more star:
1. For carrying contact lenses like Acuvue Oasis!
a. They feel so good on my eyeballs! :D
Anyways, check them out, if you are at all myopic, astigmatic or farsighted. I'm sending my husband there next, so he can geek out on some cool glasses!
This is THE place to go for the perfect pair of frames. Ones that are stylish, unusual and funky and above all, appropriate for you. The staff are helpful and they have some real gems in their collection. In fact, they only keep one of some of them in stock, so you can be assured of being the only one in the neighborhood with a particular style. I've been wearing my UrbanEyes frames (brand=ProDesign) for a little over a year now, and I consistently get compliments on them. Interestingly, people used to tease me about my old ones so this is somthing new for me! From strangers on the train, from people standing in line with me at the Costco, anywhere and everywhere. It's fun to have a pair of glasses I actually prefer to wear over contact lenses. Even out clubbing. And what did they always say . . .guys don't make passes at guys who wear glasses? Prove them wrong.
The staff is equally nice, and helpful.
I've had the terrible curse of Kaiser optical care for the past 5 years...sad, I know. I got a recommendation from a co-worker for Urban Eyes in the Castro. He's been going there for years and said they had a great selection of modern frames...and they take VSP vision coverage (an obvious plus)
Dr. Lawrence was awesome! Totally friendly, knowledgeable, and offered some great advice for frames that would complement my face shape. The doctor and gal working there were some helpful in finding the best frames for my face and really knew what would work for me. I'm glad I found a great place for glasses and contacts!
Love the staff, love the setting, love love love that it's walking distance from the house! Great selection, although mostly for men. I spent about an hour picking frames, and they wrote me up and got the whole thing handled in about 5 minutes once I decided. ONLY one week later I had my new frames which match my Vespa perfectly. Yay!
I've been going here for years and have no plans to change. Ever.
EDITED June 14, 2007
Well I never thought it would happen. A few days after I posted my complaint on this web site, I received an email from the owner. He wanted to find out how he could correct the situation. I offer to come by to provide the glasses so they could be changed to 100% reading glasses. He agreed. The glass was changed and returned to me. I took them home for a day or so and the frame broke. I went back and there was no problem everyone was very accommodating.
They found out the manufacturer of the frames realized that those frames were defective and they redesigned the frames with metal.
Today I am happy to be wearing my new glasses and I can not thank Urban Eyes enough for their excellent treatment.
ORIGINAL MESSAGE
I would say that I have approximately paid about a thousand dollars in reading glasses and exams from this location.
I decided to finally write about their bad service. I had to return my first purchased, which was two pairs of glasses because the frame paint was falling off. When I returned for a new prescription both sets of glasses came back with the wrong lenses. I had to return them and wait for the right lenses to come back.
Since this new prescription I am able to wear one pair and the other one to date I am unable to wear because the prescription is wrong.
A few days ago I decided to give them one last chance and asked them what they could do about it, I explained the situation and they wanted to charge me another $180 to replace their error.
I guess this is one unsatisfied customer.
I like these people. They are very helpful and don't mock you, at least not to your face, when you are a little slow on learning how to put your contacts in for the 1st time.
They have fun glasses and I like most places that have those jazzy magnet pens that stick to the counter. It's all about the little stuff, right? I also liked my optometrist there, he's friendly.
This place has the best selection of frames of any place I've been. However, what really makes them standout is the service.
I was completed wasted on St. Patrick's day, and took off my glasses and sat them next to me on the bed. In my drunken haze, I rolled over my two week old glasses, and some how mangled the frames. It was worse than the time a girlfriend jumping rope exercised on top of my glasses.
I brought them into the store expecting to buy new frames. One of the employees spent about 30 minutes with me trying to make it so the lenses would stay in. She took the glasses and said to come back in a couple hours.
When I returned my glasses were near perfect, and it didn't cost me anything. This place is wonderful.
I would definitely come here again. My first optometrist visit in the Bay area, and I was pleasantly surprised. Irene spent so much time making sure my prescription was right, and I walked out with 2 pairs of free trial contacts w/my new prescription as well as 2 new bottles of contact solution.
I went there for a good pair of glasses, and I think I found 'em! They have a good selection there, and enough colors to fit my needs. I got a pair of Pro Design Shiny Dark Ruby frames, which should be coming in next week.
Overall all of the people were very nice and don't rush you at all. And it takes me ages to find a pair I like, so I need that.
While I was visiting San Francisco, I managed to damage my glasses. I wanted to replace them anyways, I had seen a very nice pair of Porsche Design frames back at home, and I went into Urban Eyes to see if maybe they had them. I didn't get lucky, but they have some very nice collections from other fine designers. I decided to wait until I found what I was looking for, but I would recomend this practice to anyone who is looking for nice frames.
Thanks
Excellent! I called today and Dr. Laurence was able to see me this afternoon. He's super nice and very easy to talk to. Absolutely no complaints... I wholeheartedly recommend :D
Eh. I'm not excited by Urban Eyes. My eye exam was fine. They didn't poke me with sticks or anything. The glasses selection is, admittedly, pretty good. But other than that, they're pretty mediocre.
This is a great optometrist and designer glasses shop. I went for a regular checkup and also got some good advice on new contacts. Dr. Gualderama was super friendly and seemed sharp.
Best optometrist I've been to. Everyone is really friendly, and Dr. Gualderama was even cracking jokes when doing my eye exam, which even made that air puff test seem fun; ok maybe not.
Dr. Lawrence is incredible. He knew what he was doing. Unlike any other eye doctor I have seen in recent years, he was able to immediately identify my eye problem/condition (which many often misdiagnose until I explain it to them). The staff is lovely. And the glasses at Urban Eyes are hot.
Loved Dr. Gualderama! He was funny and personable, and had a great selection of eyewear! Got some great glasses and sunglasses there last night! They really did work with me, and were awesome! So friendly!!!!! I recommend them!
I just needed a replacement screw for my sunglasses. Some places charge for this little service; Urban Eyes does it for free and with a smile! With friendly service like this, I will probably come back when I needed to replace my sunglasses.
The whole team at Urban Eyes is stellar. I've been coming here for six years and it's always a good experience (especially for something that is not so fun). They are terrific and have great opinions about frame choices.
These guys are amazing - they have a great choice of glasses to choose from (I'm just happy they carry Paul Smith ones!), and the doctors and salespeople are really friendly, making the normally stressful experience of purchasing spectacles a pleasure.
Thanks Yelp! My optician friend quit his job & is still not working, so I had to find a new place for my specs. Urban Eyes is near to home and had a wee bit better reviews than the place closest. I was able to get in yesterday...along with every other slacker attempting to use up 2006 Flex $$. The guys were all fantastic, nice & so attentive. They have an AMAZING selection of frames for girls with petite faces, which is a treasure trove for me. I actually had a hard time deciding, but am anxiously awaiting my new specs. Really helpful staff, affordable, variety and a thorough exam - what more could you ask for?
This is a follow up to my posting from January 22nd. I came back to Urban Eyes for a follow up on some contact lens they had me try (I planned to purchase contact lens as well). While waiting for the doctor, the sales rep I spoke to during my last visit came up to me and explained why it took so long for me to get my new glasses and also apologized for being short with me. Overall, he tried to ameliorate my bad experience and offered me a free two month supply of disposable contact lens. I though it was a good gesture to compensate for their error.
If you have a lot of free time and can wait for over a month to get your glasses, then this is the… Read more »
Very friendly staff... easy to get an appointment, and Dr. Gualderama was friendly and thorough... His advice was definitely driven on what my needs were not selling me glasses (he told me glasses might help with reading, but that the prescription was so weak it wouldn't really be worth my money).
I went here because of all the great reviews. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. The frames were really cute, though nothing really out of the ordinary. They were very easygoing about a minor insurance snafu that they knew wouldn't be resolved until a couple days after the exam. My only real quibble is that it seemed my appointment was rushed, but I think that may have been because I was the last appointment of the day. I recommend them.
I love this optometry place and the people who work there. I have had nothing but extraordinarily positive experiences. Excellent customer service. I even called them from New York once, when I found a pair of frames that I liked there. And although they didn't carry those frames, they referred me to another San Francisco shop that did. I was so impressed that they put my needs and preferences above their own pocketbook. I will definitely continue to use them for all of my eye care and eye wear needs.
They came recommended from friends. Did not end up using them, but they were extremely honest and helpful. They have large inventory of nice glasses, too.
Love love love them. Was referred to Urban Eyes by another optometrist who was 'too busy' to see me in the next month. Called up and got an appointment that afternoon. Very thorough exam, great contact fitting, and will definitely be back to get glasses in the coming months. Loved everyone I met there (they even tried to help me save money). two thumbs up!
A small-ish shop with less inventory than I'd prefer, but they've managed to pare down the choices to a pretty respectable collection. Nice mix of trendy with more conservative options (and if you ask, they also offer some lower-priced, non-designer selections which are not on display). Turnaround time is fast, and the staff is extremely helpful and pleasant to deal with.
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