Arcade Optical

So I just received my bill from Blue Cross Blue Shield and was charged a deductible of $ 77.58 just for the retinal photo done by Dr. Lakher.
I came to his office only for an annual eye exam-​which is usually 100% free under any eye or BCBS insurance. I called BCBS and they said that the retinal photo fell under the fee of ‘labs’ and not under the annual eye exam category. I was never given an option of whether I wanted the retinal photo done and never made aware this is usually not part of the routine annual eye exam.
I next called Dr. Lakher and confronted him about this issue.
He said he knows «all about insurance» and the coverage depends on my plan. Duh.
He proceeded to ask the 3 letter letters to my BCBS member #. I requested if he can try to cancel charging BCBS and charge VSP, my vision insurance instead. I have a separate vision insurance. He knew about it. He even checked into the visit with my vision insurance, yet chose to bill BCBS.
Exact words from Dr. Lahker= «I’m not going to argue with BCBS because they’re too big.»
Ok…excellent customer service. I hung up.
I called VSP insurance next to see if they cover retinal photographs.
VSP says that Arcade Optical’s billing code for retinal photos does not qualify to be covered under VSP, which was why they billed BCBS. OK, things are finally starting to make sense.
For someone who «knows all about insurance,» Dr. Lakher should have notified me what would not be covered under the annual eye exam before he proceeded with anything during that visit. Instead, I receive a bill with «Surprise! Here’s $ 78 for you to pay!»
I know it’s going to be a waste of time trying to argue with a professional with such a bad attitude, so I will pay the deductible. But the long term repercussions are gonna get real.
1. I’m not coming back to do business.
2. No, I will not be retracting this review from Unilocal.
3. I myself am a health care professional. I will be letting all my co-​workers and friends on social media know about how I’ve been treated and your tricky tactic.

Some of the other reviews here made me nervous about trying this place, especially because I’ve had bad experiences with optical shops in the past, but I went for it (none of the places that took my insurance had perfect reviews) and had a fantastic experience with Arcade. I was pleasantly surprised with the selection of frames. They also had a few drawers of frames, not on display, specifically made by Davis, which are free with Davis insurance (I wished the lady had asked me about my insurance and directed me to those from the beginning, it was only after my appointment that the doctor mentioned those). Other reviews mention the lady being pushy about her opinions about glasses, which was true, but it didn’t bother me. I appreciated her helping me find frames and offering her opinion, which I did agree with most of the time. The doctor is indeed a little awkward, as mentioned in many reviews, but I found him to be very nice and appreciated his answers to my questions and his explanations of what he was doing. I was surprised that after the appointment he offered some very useful opinions about the frames I was choosing between (e.g. which might be stronger plastic, which would have better peripheral version). Then once I chose a pair, he did some measurements of the glasses and my eyes before putting in the order. I’ve never gotten that much time and attention from an eye doc before. When I went back to pick up my glasses, I had a little trouble adjusting to the new prescription. The doc told me to have a seat for a few minutes to let my eyes adjust and see how it felt then. Again, have never gotten that kind of attention picking up glasses! My eyes did adjust and the new glasses are perfect. Really great experience all around.

We had a great experience being helped at Arcade Optical. We came to Dr. Lakher to get a new pair of glasses for my daughter with a prescription in hand from another optometrist which turned out to be incorrect. When the glasses came and my daughter could not see well I called the original optometrist who gave the prescription. Out of luck, he was on vacation while my daughter was to fly back to university out of state. Dr. Lakher went out of his way to help us out of a bad situation. He checked that the glasses were made according to the prescription, he then checked my daughter’s vision and corrected prescription we brought in. The glasses were re-​made and turned around quickly. They now work great for my daughter, all thanks to courtesy of Dr. Lakher.

I’ve been wearing glasses and contacts for about six years, and this was the best optical experience I’ve had in that whole time. The doctor was nice (and yes, quirky as others have said — but I like to think I am, too), and the lady at the front desk/​optical shop was, too. My eyes hadn’t changed since my previous year’s exam (elsewhere) so I was offered a prescription for the same daily contacts I had been wearing previously, but those are incredibly expensive so I opted for two-​week contacts instead. They ordered them for me and I was able to pick them up two days later. Because I didn’t need new glasses again this year, the doctor explained that I could use my frames benefit for prescription sunglasses instead. But since I almost always wear my contacts, I don’t need prescription lenses in my sunglasses. «Even better!» he said. I could use the frames benefit for regular sunglasses, completely covered. So I opted for a pair of Ray-​Ban Wayfarers. Both he and the woman (I think his wife?) helped me pick out the pair that looked best on my narrow face/​big head. I assumed I would have to order these and wait for them like the contacts, but I was able to leave with them that day. I paid my $ 40 co-​pay and got an eye exam, six months worth of contacts, and a $ 200 pair of sunglasses. Hopefully he doesn’t retire before I’m due for my next exam in 2016.

I had an appointment with Dr. Doug, and it went really well! He was very friendly and knowledgeable, and I was in and out in 20 minutes. He even took the time to explain the picture he took of my retina.

I came here by default because LensCrafters wouldn’t bill my insurance company for a standard eye exam due to it requiring «extra paperwork» and boy am I glad I found this place! Thorough, accommodating, and professional. It was clear the doctor is passionate about what he does, which is everything you want in a doc. Also, the charming woman in the front makes you feel like a regular patron — even if you’re a first timer. Will return again next year for my annual exam!

My guess is this business has asked friends and family to leave reviews to inflate their score because we had to report them to our insurance provider. My husband and I needed a quick eye exam to order reading glasses. When I called to make an appt, the woman working was talking to someone else and clearly having a personal conversation, like, should I call back when you feel like working? We arrived to our appt early and waited for at least 15 minutes past the appt time. The doctor is a weird breed to say the least. Socially awkward and just off. We both did our eye exams and then when we asked for the prescription, he just recited it to us. I literally wrote it down in my phone notes and asked him to confirm it. I asked the woman if they had any reading glasses in the store to try and she responded rudely saying «of course not, they wouldn’t have those in the store». It’s a glasses store so… It was very uncomfortable watching her be equally rude to a family with small children who came in and another woman. Next we went to Warby Parker and tried glasses and they had to call this doc to confirm prescriptions. WP said the guy somehow remembered off the top of his head our scripts and insisted on telling them over the phone. He gave the wrong scripts to WP who graciously are taking back the glasses and making the correction after we got completely new (and totally different) prescriptions at Boston Eye Care (Brookline). This guy needs to retire and take that horrible lady that works for him with! Not a qualified professional, no record keeping of patients and rudeeee! Don’t waste your time and sadly, other companies money making the glasses with incorrect prescriptions.

Very accurate eye measurement reading. After all, your eyes’ health is the key. Arcade Optical did a great job! The glasses were of good quality. Services were good.
I regularly wear the two pairs of glasses I got last year. As a result, my eyesight is getting better even when I sometimes read without glasses. They reduce eye strain when I look at the laptop or iPad screen all day. Great, accurate measurement.

I was looking to get an eye exam and contact lenses. I looked first at optometrists in Jamaica Plain and Brookline with more Unilocal reviews, but which also had several days (or even a couple weeks) wait to get an appointment. I called Arcade Optical and got an appointment the same day for my vision test. Then the following day they called saying I could come in for the contacts! Dr. L was very patient in teaching me as I struggled at first with trying to put them on and take them off. And I got a free case for my glasses on the way out. Really great customer service.

Hidden gem in the Arcade! I stopped by on a Monday on the recommendation of my coworker, as our insurance isn’t covered by bigger companies like LensCrafters, and easily secured an appointment for two days later. I saw some reviewers make a fuss about the lack of «tech» in Arcade Optical and want to note for future readers that the easiest way to interact with insurance companies is still over the phone. Dr. L called my insurance company to double check it for me (I don’t have a card), dialed the number from memory, and confirmed my eligibility within about 30 seconds.
When it came to the exam, I again had an easy, pleasant visit. I’m super squeamish and thought I was going to faint at one point, which was embarrassing, but they both were sweet as could be, gave me time to get myself back together and gave me a bottle of water. Later, they both helped me find some awesome frames and happily wrote the info down for me to relay to my mom, who offered to go halvsies with me (yay!). I had a wonderful conversation with the lovely woman (Joan? I’m sorry I’m forgetful!), which is something that I personally appreciate in customer service. I know that’s not everyone’s thing, but I enjoy some small talk at small, local businesses. They even offered to update the lenses on my prescription sunglasses, which I purchased elsewhere several years ago (I imagine it might be a hassle to track down the correct lens type for these, but they were unconcerned). So nice!
Extremely convenient, great service, good prices/​nice discounts, and a local business? What more can I ask for?

I’m hoping a future resolution of my current situation will encourage me to raise this two-​star review to at least three. Bottom line: So far, I am incredibly disappointed.
While the in-​store customer service was nice, my afterwards experience has been nothing but a let down. I went in with a prescription for contact lenses… THREE WEEKS AGO. While I was in there, the husband (I believe that’s the relationship between the two owners) rattled off a price with a quick glance at my situation (but then again, what do I know?). I had to pay a deposit, so I paid half and was told my prescription would be ready that next Wednesday (I came in on a Saturday).
Wednesday came and went, but I know managing things in a small business can be crazy so I let it go. When no one contacted me by Saturday, I reached out. I was told to wait for their phone call this time and my certain prescription would take two weeks. Why I wasn’t told this in the first place, I don’t know.
So now I am sitting here with no contacts and some money short with no form of communication. While the pricing was fair and the people were kind, I don’t appreciate being forgotten about. Hopefully, I will hear from the nice woman who assisted me and I will be able to see the world as I was truly meant to.

Just the nicest people. I’ve had an eye exam and bought contact lenses here. The exam was super-​thorough and didn’t feel in any way rushed. Prices of the contacts were very reasonable (I compared online to 1−800-Contacts.) And they recently repaired a pair of eyeglasses I didn’t get there, while I waited. They also cleaned them and gave me a free case. …And then wouldn’t let me pay. Wish there were more businesses around that offered top-​notch service like Arcade!

I loved this place! Dr. Lakher was thorough, very professional and I felt well-​taken care of for my eye exam. He accepted my insurance which was such a relief because when I called Lense Crafters they declined my insurance even though they were obligated to accept it. His store is also really cute! you can’t compare the level of attentiveness. Highly recommend this place

I chose this optometrist over others based exclusively on the Unilocal reviews. Man was I disappointed!
After checking to ensure they were in network, I called to make an appointment. The receptionist had no idea whether or not they could accept BlueCross/​BlueShield from out of state. I gave her all my info, assuming that she’d check before my appointment just in case.
When I got to the office a couple days later, it became obvious that there is nothing tech-​friendly about this place; I’d be surprised if the receptionist even knew how to check vision insurance coverage online!
After speaking with the optometrist for a couple minutes, it became obvious that they wouldn’t accept ANY out-​of-​state insurance. Why wouldn’t they just tell me that over the phone? I left wondering how this place is still open — its quaint charm is overshadowed by a complete lack of knowledge or customer service.

Very small, older equipment. Provide very limited feedback about eye exam results. Poor communication by optometrist. Used my contact lens fitting benefit without making it clear to me that I now lost my eyeglass benefit for the year, which was a big problem for me. After a brief and rushed exam, tried pushing sunglasses on my partner.

I must say, I wasn’t sold on Arcade Optical at my first visit. I had gotten an amazon deal from them over the holidays and decided to give it a try, since I really needed to get a full exam done and buy prescription glasses. There’s bountiful parking, which everybody knows is extremely rare in Boston and it won’t cost you more than 2 $. The shop itself is just that — a shop. It’s very very small, and can feel quite cramped… but it has a kind of authentic charm to it, and it grew on me. The exam itself… was long, tedious, and annoying… but that’s just because I don’t generally like having air puffs shot at my eyeballs… Dr. Lakher is obviously very smart and has a sweet personality. The woman, who it seems like runs the front of the shop, I admit was at first a bit overbearing but she was very helpful by picking out pairs for me and giving me her honest opinion. I agree that not everyone wants to hear what you like if they already know they like it, but the woman clearly knows what she’s doing, so let her tell you what looks good and what doesn’t! After all it isn’t like you can’t buy what you want…
I went back yesterday to pick up my glasses, and I couldn’t be happier. The prescription is on point, whatever extra coating I got on it was definitely worth it, and they were not overly expensive after the discounted coupon. The ONLY downside to the glasses is that the frame is uneven. One side is a little looser than the other, but I really don’t notice it that much and I know that I will be able to bring them in anytime to fix it for free. This is something they offer, as well as a one year warranty. I would certainly recommend this location, especially to those who can afford to splurge a little bit. You’re looking at at least $ 300 on glasses. I think that’s about what I paid, and without the discount mine were $ 450. :)

What led me here was the health insurance plan but I will always come back because of the superior service.
This place is located in the back of the old Coolidge Corner Arcade. It reminds me of the movie Hugo. Walking toward the store from Harvard Street entrance makes me feel like I could travel back in time and get a magical pair of glasses in this tiny shop.
Initially, I came for the annual eye exam, new glasses and contact lenses prescriptions. As some had previously advised, get the eye exam here as Dr. Lakher is thorough, but get glasses elsewhere. I didn’t have much time after the eye exam to look for glasses anyhow so I left.
I went to LensCrafter a day later, looking for some chic, brand name glasses such as Prada, Tiffany, Coach, etc. However, not only did they not have my size, (I have an extra wide face), they didn’t have anything in my price range. Even with the health insurance coverage, I’d have to pay at least $ 200+ just for the frame alone.
So I returned to Arcade Optical, and Dr. Lakher personally went around the store picking out glasses for me to try on. I had made it known that I did not wish to pay more than what my insurance covers. (Yes, I sounded cheap) He was extremely patient and selected two pairs of glasses that fitted my large face. I chose one that was «free» (did not have to pay extra for the frame). And with various options I needed for the lens, it added up to the minimal I expected to pay.
The best part was — I presented my broken original glasses to see if they could fix it. Not only did they happily repair the glasses for me ON THE SAME DAY and it was FREE.
FREE!!! Who does that nowadays?! I am extremely grateful for Joan who fixed my glasses. It’s still a good, useful pair. I’d hate to toss them. And she upgraded the original nose pieces so now they are BETTER than EVER!
Now I am waiting for the new pair of glasses. Will send updates later.

A part of me didn’t want to write this, ever– though as a faithful Unilocaler I thought this might be needed.
I first came here after, ironically, looking at other Unilocal reviews. I thought I could trust ya’ll out in Unilocal-​land! What happened!!!
The Eye Exam:
This was about a year ago. I have insurance, so I was waiting on the date when it would kick in for me to get a new pair of glasses. In the meantime, insurance paid for an appointment and contacts so I went in and made an appointment. At first, I didn’t think much of the place. Sure, a cute little hole in the wall mom and pop shop, literally owned by an old married couple. I came in and the lady was warm, maybe a little overbearing, but at this point it wasn’t bothersome. I had my eye exam in the closet-​like room behind the main area. I was really surprised.
The equipment wasn’t up to date. All of the usual routines I was use to weren’t offered. For example, its good to have your eyes dilated every year, and while my last exam was more than a year ago I was never offered an eye dilation. Regardless, I wasn’t going to pay for another eye exam elsewhere, so I got my prescription and went ahead and got my contacts filled. I’ve never had a pair of contacts be bothersome. This could be because of my eyes changing, who knows, but this was the first place I was given problematic contacts. Having gotten a new pair of Warby Parker glasses (look them up!), I went on a contact hiatus, and didn’t bother following up about the contacts– though the whole box was defective
— — — — — — -
A year later, I have enough insurance $$ to get glasses. Thats when things got really bad. I come in wearing the messed up contacts and try on some glasses. The lady, this time, was a bit overbearing. My eye started hurting really bad so I switched to my WP glasses.
Then the lady crossed the line.
She asked me about my frames, I told her about Warby Parker WHO I LOVE because they cut the middle man out of the whole glasses shopping experience– and she goes on to not only semi-​insult the brand, but continues to INSULT the type of glasses I preferred. She didn’t like the more boxy cut, said it didn’t really fit my face. Um. Really? Actually, it does fit my face well, but it was the style she was critiquing. Who does that? I mean, I was seriously so insulted that this woman would critique her competition in front of me, and also criticize the style I purchased. Thats a NO NO. And its not like it was a one sentence occurrence, she made it clear that her little boutique was way more superior than online blah blah blah. She also kept pushing me toward certain pairs of glasses, not taking into account the STYLE I had repeatedly told her I was looking for. Oh! I even said that I came in looking for a thick red frame– and she said, «why would you want red?» REALLY? Because I want red!
*****(side note: after this I went to a number of eye shops around the area and they thought a RED thick frame was a wonderful color to get!) And, no offense lady, but I’m in my 20s, and you are in your 60s… so I’m not sure how fashion oriented you are, let alone how knowledgeable you are on what is in for a 20 something. Just an FYI.)******
Unfortunately (before she started insulting me!), I had already scheduled an appointment for another eye exam with them, but whatever «pushover» mentality I had about their being a «cute small mom&pop shop» that kept me going there was over. My husband cancelled my appointment.
Other minor concerns:
–the place is cluttered, even the exam room isn’t too put together.
–no price tags! HUGE no-​no! It means that the owners can just hike up the prices if they get the impression you want the pair badly enough. Prices should always be clearly displayed– I shouldn’t have to ask the owner to ‘calculate’
****lastly, there are other eye places that have reasonably priced glasses, shop around, don’t be pulled in like I was just because I thought that they needed my service to survive. If this lady can say what she says, she apparently doesn’t need my business after all!*******
oh, and making fake reviews on Unilocal isn’t ok either. Also, writing «real person, real review» doesn’t legitimize the fake reviews you have made. Moreover, it doesn’t undermine this post, it just makes you looks bad as an owner/​businessman
UPDATE: Per the owner’s comment, I would like to make a correction– Joan Ludensky and Michael Lakher are (apparently) not married though I, like MANY OTHER Unilocal reviews on here from fellow Unilocalers, assumed as much. I apologize for this misinformation. Regardless, I stand by the rest of this review.

UPDATE!
Since writing my initial review, I have received my new glasses! I could not be more pleased! In the past, even with new glasses, it seemed like they never gave me the crystal clear vision that I so painstakingly picked while sitting in the optometrist’s chair (#1, or #2…what about now…1 or 2… and now…).
This time, my eyesight was improved dramatically with the new glasses. I was amazed. I can only attribute this to the careful measurements that Dr. Lakher took when fitting my frames. I had never had this done before, but he had me put on the frames and used a marker to make a small dot at what I guess was the location of my pupil for each eye. He then measured the distance and made a note of it. I was expecting the same old results, but these glasses are definitely a cut above all my previous pairs!

It is only fair for me to update my review of Arcade Optical.
As I noted before, It’s quaint, friendly, local, and the selection is small but eclectic and cool. I thought the saleslady was very nice and helpful, and also the optometrist. Unfortunately, I have terrible eyes (–8.5) so my lenses cost more, which isn’t Arcade Optical’s fault, but including the fancy frames, the cost was over $ 500, which is the most I’ve ever paid for a pair of glasses — I’ve been wearing glasses since I was 8 years old (that’s 22 years).
I was unhappy with my glasses because the frames chipped slightly almost as soon as I started wearing them, and the lenses developed an odd pattern of hazy lines on them. It was particularly disappointing because of the price tag.
Arcade Optical contacted me after I wrote my review here to let me know that my glasses were still under warranty (most interesting thing about this was that they were able to figure out who I was despite only having my first name and last initial). I sent the glasses back to them and now, a few weeks later, I have received what look like a brand new pair (even shipped cross country to where I now live). I am pleased with that level of customer service and dedication.