East Bay Optometry

No. No, no, no, no. The whole experience had the air of being in a car sales lot, from the moment I turned around to glance at glasses while waiting for the doctor and was pounced on by the receptionists trying to push me into choosing a new pair of glasses, to the exam itself becoming a desperate sales pitch. Dr. Wang talked constantly without explaining what she was doing or ensuring I was clear on what was happening. When she asked questions, it felt like she barely gave me time to respond before she was talking over me again. She seemed impatient as well. I’m not sure if it was because of my insurance that they were trying so hard to get more money out of me, but I have never been so infuriated at an optometrist before. NEVER have I had an experience like this in all the years I’ve been getting eye exams. Save yourself the awful encounter and go somewhere else, please, someone who sees you as an individual patient instead of a money source! I regret everything about choosing Dr. Wang for my yearly prescription renewal.

Dr. Wang made my first set of glasses 10 years ago and is the only place that hasn’t had problems making my glasses correctly each time.
10 years ago with my first set of glasses I brought in a prescription from another doctor which was an issue for Dr. Wang — she indicated she wasn’t comfortable filling someone else’s prescription and wanted to do an exam. When I indicated to her that I wasn’t able to pay for one she did a quick basic verification of the existing prescription without charging me.
The resulting glasses were perfect and served me well for 10 years. Since then I had gotten another set of glasses through another doctor and it took them 2 tries to get the glasses correct and while the glasses worked they were heavy and only survived about 5 years before the frames started falling apart due to the heavy lenses.
Two years ago I started looking to replace my original pair of glasses. After working with 2 other doctors neither of who could produce a working set of glasses I returned to Dr. Wang and after explaining my now two year long effort to get glasses she did the exam and two weeks later I have a pair of glasses that are once again spot on the first time. She was even willing to use the pair of Warby Parker frames I had purchased rather than making me purchase frames from her office.

Dr. Wang is a great lady and optometrist. She is meticulous and thorough in her examination. I’m a satisfied customer.

I just had my first appointment with Dr. Wang. She was awesome. I found her using the VSP search engine through my insurance.
I made my appointment through email in late October, listing the date and times I was available. I received a reply the next business day with optional appointment times. My appointment and insurance were confirmed within 2 business days and I never had to make a phone call. A week before my appointment I received a reminder.
The appointment was quick and efficient. I was greeted warmly by the receptionist/​assistant who assisted me with new client forms and conducted a short pre-​test.
Dr. Wang conducted a brief interview to determine my previous optical/​health experiences and in doing so insured I wasn’t subjected to unnecessary test and reviews which was really appreciated.
I put in an order for contacts and was relieved when I wasn’t told I had to order a minimum of two boxes even though I have the same prescription for both eyes.
I also selected a pair of glasses and was shocked when the price was less than the online sites advertised on TV. Don’t be fooled, the type of lens you order online will not be the same quality as the lens you receive from your optometrist unless you pick the same quality/​features, then you’ll find insurance covers more than paying straight cash online.
All in all it was a great experience, I will be recommending Dr. Wang to my co-​workers so they can get seen before the year ends and they lose their 2015 allowances.
Check out East Bay Optometry, you won’t be disappointed.

I have been a Kaiser patient my whole life (and continue to be one) although our vision insurance is now VSP. My honey checked out local VSP providers and discovered East Bay Optometry, and Dr. Wong, just down the street. We decided it was worth a try!
I popped in while running errands one day, with the intention of checking out their selection of frames. I was greeted immediately and once I mentioned the purpose of my visit, the person helping me promptly gathered my information to check on my insurance and all that jazz. Dr. Wong, in between patients, came out to say hello. After perusing my information, she told me that she would like to do an eye exam, to ensure that my most recent prescription was the most accurate. I asked if she had availability that day and she saw me right then and there! (I’m 99% sure that she skipped her lunch break to see me.)
During my exam, Dr. Wong asked if I was interested in contacts and when I said no, she asked «Is it because you don’t like the idea of putting in contacts or because you like wearing glasses?» I appreciated this differentiation and responded that I really like the look of glasses. The contacts conversation ended there.
After my exam, Dr. Wong personally helped me to pick out new frames and provided her honest opinion of which ones were a good fit for me. She even took some photos for me so I could text them to my honey for a third opinion. She recommended the same «upgrade» that I had on my previous glasses (i.e. anti-​reflection) and nothing more.
I can understand why some people may feel rushed because Dr. Wong is definitely a fast-​paced, task-​oriented person. However, that is totally my style and I appreciate her no-​nonsense approach! She didn’t make any major changes to my previous (Kaiser) prescription, although she did fine tune it a bit and I can definitely tell the difference. A week after my appointment my new glasses were ready for pick up. One of her staff helped me with my pick up and made sure that my new glasses fit perfectly before I left.
My honey has since had an appointment here and was also pleased with his exam experience, the selection of frames, and his new prescription sunglasses.

I went to Wong to get measured for contact lenses. Wong is part of john muir network and was recomened by blueshield of California. After charging me $ 150.oo for the service Wong would not give me the prescription since I was not purchasing contact lenses from her. When I went back a second time her male employee told me over the phone that she took my file home to study it. Two lies donot make a truth.
DO NOT USE THIS PERSON FOR EYE TREATMENT since they are dishonest and frauds.

Worse place ever! People there are rude and unhelpful. I called to schedule an appointment and was given nothing but attitude. I would never recommend this place. They locked my ins and when asked to unlock it, never was done. Had to call the office 3 times before anything was done.

this place was such a disappointment. they got my prescription completely wrong and then they continued to try to sell me glasses after telling them i already had purchased my frames. i left my very expensive frames with them to put in my lenses and the following day i for a call stating that they «dropped» my frames in the floor and they had broken. i hardly got a sorry, i then demanded a complete refund… they continued to try to sell me new frames. i left and took my business elsewhere. if i could give her negative stars i would.

I’ve been coming to Dr. Wong for about 8 years now. I have a special case of extremely high astigmatism and Dr. Wong has always gone above and beyond to make sure I get the best treatment possible. The staff has always made me feel comfortable and I have never had a reason to try someone else.
Last year the company I worked for closed and I was left without insurance so I stopped coming here, thinking I could no longer afford to. I had put off searching for another optometrist but had to come back this past August because 2 weeks before my wedding I remembered I no longer had contacts left for the big day nor sunglasses for my honeymoon! I quickly gave Dr. Wong a call who managed to squeeze me into her schedule the following morning. When I came in, I explained my situation with the insurance and that I’d understand if she couldn’t help me considering the short notice. She calmed me down and re-​assured me that she would take care of me. The second we walked into her office she opens a drawer and pulls out my file and says «I had a feeling someday you would have an emergency and with a prescription like yours, we always need a back up» and pulls out a fresh pair of contacts in my most current prescription. I could’ve cried right there. After making sure I was seeing okay with them she helps me select sunglasses and tells me she’ll have them rush ordered so they will arive the Thursday before the wedding. Knowing my insurance situation she gave me a discount on the frames and threw in the contacts for free. She also noted any minor prescription changes so that when I’m ready to go back and get new glasses or contacts she has it on file and I won’t have to pay for a second exam.
That is true customer service, no one cares more about their patients than Dr. Wong. I may be paying out of pocket now but I consider it money well spent when you’re working with the best!

Dr. Wong and staff are great.
I stopped going to Lafayette Optometry ehhh not good people. anyway
Dr. Wang is so nice she goes the extra mile with remembering who I am.
I truly felt she cares about helping me. Maybe the reason some people here were offended by her trying to sell them something is because she wants to sell good product to people so they are happy (special coating, anti reflective type coating) it truly helps and costs extra. duh.
Her staff is great very patient with me trying different types of glasses.
Place is clean.
Kid/​children friendly (AWESOME). Toys in the waiting room. and i forgot to bring my todler a toy while getting my eyes checked oops. But she noticed in the middle of exam and reaches in a cupboard and pulls out awesome little toy box of bugs to play with. kept him happy and busy. How thought is that. Thanks Doc.
5stars and customer for life.

These people are right, She is a total sales person! and on top of that shes rude. Don’t go here. I’ve been going to her for long time and EVERY time I would leave her office disappointed or upset. Don’t waste your money here and go to someone else.

OMG I don’t know what they are talking about!!! Dr Wang is the best optometrist I have ever been.
I started wearing glasses since I was 13 years old, over 20 years ago and I remember never having the right glasses and they all gave me headaches. I went to Dr Want last year, I have some condition I was born with where one of my eyes is weaker than the other one, to make a story short. I had ²⁰⁄₄₀ corrected on my bad eye. I just went last Saturday and she fixed my eye. I see ²⁰⁄₂₀ with my glasses.
Seriously, She wasn’t trying to sell me anything. I DIDN’T NEED TO BUY ANYTHING and she didn’t push me to get anything else, but I am coming back in April to get me prescription sunglasses. Oh and she is really good with kids, my baby son just went to see her today, he is 4 years old and I sent him to her because I wanted to know if he was born with the same condition I was born with but no, he is a tiny near sighted and didn’t need glasses and we weren’t pushed to get anything.
I hope she doesn’t retire anytime soon because I need her!

I went here based on the fact they have a large selection of frames to choose from despite the poor Unilocal reviews. Honestly I do not agree with most the reviews here at all as I actually had a pleasant experience.
The eye test was quick as other reviewers had said but I in no way felt rush. If I asked to go back she let me with out an issue. If I seemed unsure in my answer she went back herself. I actually think it is a good thing it was a little quick cause otherwise sometimes you can start to doubt yourself when usually your first incling is the right one. Especially when the change was only slight which was often.
I also didn’t feel she was being over pushy on sales. Since I haven’t had glasses before she actually said there was no reason to look into contacts yet as first it would be better to see how often I actually wear my glasses. She did put some add –on’s on there like anti-​glare but she told me told me what it was for and how much extra it cost. I could of easily told her I didn’t want to.
When picking out my frames I found her the most helpfull. I have never had glasses before and I don’t even wear sunglasses so I really had no idea what would work for me. She picked out frames based on the shape of my head and then as I tried some on I started to get an idea of what I liked and didn’t like and she was able to help me find frames suprisingly quickly. I did not feel rushed at all I actualy just liked the frames she showed me. She did not try to push anything exspensive on me and even stated the frames I picked were a good choice cause they would be free with my insurance.
The only thing is she seemed insitent that I knew I needed glasses all my life and was just putting it off. Honestly I have never had an issue with my sight and didn’t know anything was wrong until I went to the DMV to get my license renuied last time. I have a stigmatisim that apparently is not slight. I was told as a kid I had a stigmatisim but was honestly told I didn’t need glasses but would when I was older. She did not believe me on this and brought it up several times that I had just avoiding the issue.

I’ve been a customer of Dr. Wang since 89 when she worked in the back of the Mervyns. Found her through a trusted co-​worker. Went to Kaiser for a bit until they screwed up a diagnosis/​prescription for me and I was suffering with blurry glasses that I had to pay for.
Went back to Dr. Wang and she took good care of me. She even remembered what I did for a living and was asking me about my job, life, etc. after many years absent.
So the following is not a negative but just my experience and my take on it.
1. I will say about some of the other reviewers’ comments that YES, YOU DO FEEL RUSHED IN THE EXAM PART. I realized that early on when I met her that if I don’t speak up, I mean REALLY speak up, then the exam will roll over me like a train and I’ll end up with a bad prescrip.
So keep in mind that during the test, you do have to insist on either looking at the letters a bit longer or going backwards in order to really get your correct diagnosis. Since I’m ponying up all the costs myself, I’m going to make 100% sure its totally right. And I’m really retentive about my glasses b/​c my job is a designer and I need to see right!
2. There is a definite pushiness about their stock of frames and a looking down on other brands that you bring in. Its called «playing the FUD factor (fear, uncertainty, doubt)» a hi pressure sales technique.
She didn’t used to be like that when she sent people to an optician out on Clayton Road, but now she sells both product & services.
3. I’ve gotten the «find my nephew an internship» thing just about every time I’m in. I just tune it out, no big deal.
Funny thing is that she knows a designer in SF who is much more well known than me, so she should hit HIM up. On the other side, she’s also suggested I give him a call for work. (Reminds me of my own relatives).
OVERALL: quality of exams is great. The prescrips come out perfect. The staff is very nice and helpful. The costs are as quoted. Not 5 stars for the reasons above, but hey, room to grow.

WARNING~~Avoid @ all costs~~ Fake~ scam~ thief.
This person is a total fraud.
Eye exam & 1 pair of glasses $ 957. I have the receipts & partial refund from insurance co.
When i picked up the glasses connie wang wasn’t the one who delivered them.
I told the girl that I couldn’t see with them. She said i just needed to get used to them, so I left.
After several visits, with no better results, I called my insurance co & got [partially] reimbursed.
I went to DR. NG, got a $ 150 pair that I could see with just fine.
It is ill advised to patronize this business~~~

I came in last week after 2 years and Dr. Wang still remembers me and the conversations we have had in the past. It feels really good knowing that no matter how many patients your doctor treats on a day to day basis, she still remembers you.
This place has a great selection of eyeware, I am very picky and every time Dr. Wang has a great selection to choose from. They accept almost every insurance, they give reminder calls, they do not rush getting you in and out. They spend the extra time to take care of your needs. Vision is extremely important and I have not ever felt rushed. Dr. Wang provides me great advice and takes care of her patients.
I have been coming here for 8+ years and am very happy. I hope you give them a chance!

Dr. Wang was the overwhelming motivator to sign up for Unilocal,so I could warn others of her poor establishment.
I’ve never been more disappointed by a health care professional before. She cared way more about making money and getting her nephew an internship where i work than about my well being.
My insurance only covers an eye exam for glasses OR an exam for contacts. I called before to schedule the appt only for the glasses and when i went in immediately asked me about my job etc. This is no biggie since most healthcare profs ask about this stuff. so i started to tell her about where i work and she instantly started to sell her nephew as an intern to me. She even asked for my business card so that i could recommend him…
In the middle of the exam she asked me how many pairs of contacts i had left and i said i had about 6 months left. At the end of the appointment she gave me a bag of a few eye contact solution coupons and my prescription. i went to submit my insurance and lo and behold, she charges me 60 extra dollars for giving me a prescription for contacts.
i protested and said i only came for a glasses prescription and she said that she gave me that because i don’t have enough contacts for a year. so i opted out of that prescription, which she then tried to give me a deal on the prescription by offering it at a discounted price. i was a little annoyed that i had only asked for one thing and she tried to slip that by me… as if i wouldn’t notice another 60 dollars on top of ZERO.
so. after those shenanigans, she took the coupons for the contact solution BACK because she said i didn’t need them. WOW. really? you’re gonna hoard free coupons? AND try to get me to get your nephew an internship?
yea… if he works like Dr. Wang… i don’t think so.

Dr. Wang was my childhood optometrist who I saw for years, even back when she operated from this random back corner of the Mervyns in Pleasant Hill, which is also no longer there. Even though I’ve been out of the state for 8 years, she still tried to get me some sample contact lenses while I was home for the holidays to try to save me a bit of money on the super-​expensive ones I have now. If I move back to California, I’m definitely going back to see her.

Ditto on what the other reviewers have said. The support staff at this office was so very sweet, I thought we had finally found an optometrist to settle down with, since my husband and I both need yearly exams to replace what always seem to be outdated contact and glasses prescriptions.
The exam was fine, she was pushy with the sales part, as Starla mentions, but the service was alright and the frames I ordered and my husband’s contacts came in on time.
The problems arose after the fact, when we received information from VSP on what they covered for our exam. Turns out the office (mistakenly?) double billed for part of our service– in other words, she had us pay for something that the insurance company paid for as well. After double-​checking with the insurance company, my husband called the office to get a refund on what VSP said we should not have been charged for. He spoke with Dr. Wang. She got upset, and tried to explain away the discrepancy with a confusing re-​itemized bill that didn’t match the one originally given to us at time of payment. It was a little sketchy, but she did eventually refund the money due to us. Her demeanor throughout the process left a lot to be desired.
Needless to say, we won’t ever be going back.

This optometrist is more of a sales person than an eye doctor. She was very aggressive in trying to sell me frames and contact lenses. She seemed to care a great deal more about making a sale on something than about my vision.
I found her through the MES Vision website, and called around to several different places to get the best price since my plan doesn’t cover eye exams for contact lenses. Over the phone, she quoted $ 100 which included an exam for astigmatism, sitting fee, lens fitting, and one follow-​up visit a week later. But as I finished my appointment and was paying, she charged me $ 150, and explained the amount. I had to remind her what she had quoted over the phone. At least she complied and gave me the difference back.
When I came back for the follow-​up visit, she again tried to sell me contact lenses, telling me how much she charged per box and how it was lower than most places. When I told her I would get them somewhere else, she asked me where I was going to buy them from. I felt like she shouldn’t be asking. But anyways, I found the lenses at Costco for a really great price.