Helen Kwong, OD

After having had a GREAT experience with Dr. Kwong in 2014 my insurance company forced me to see another eye Dr. last year (for a cataract exam and regular exam)… Long story short, that Dr. was surly and seemed angry the whole time and ended up giving me a bad prescription (Royo Eye and Laser. See my review for what NOT to do)…
Thankfully I was able to get in to see Dr. Kwong. Her staff is awesome, I got into see her immediately (even though I was 10 minutes early) and she was patient, professional and just plain nice (which for me counts for a TON.)…She did my exam, fully explained both the glasses and contact lens prescriptions and even gave me some sample contact lenses with my new prescription…
Then when it came time to pay when she told me how much I owed her I just didn’t think it was fair so offered $ 10 more than she asked for. Yes, I tipped my optometrist. THAT should say it all regarding Dr. Kwong. She’s the best.

Best and most friendly optometrist ever. The receptionist are all extremely friendly and they always greet you once you walk in. She has been my optometrist for the past 13 years! I’m sad I had to switch optometrist because she wasn’t accepting my medical insurance anymore. However, I still try to drop by and say hi once in a while. She never overcharges you and always explain why there’s a certain fee. The only downside to this area is that there is very limited parking. My mom usually puts in 2 quarters in the meter and we are good to go for the entire appointment. She is my favorite!!! I would definitely recommend this optometrist to anyone who needs glasses!

The doctor has did a good job when it came to my examination, however i did have to go back a couple times to get the right prescription corrected. i had to get a new pair and one of her employees talked me into getting a tint at a great price so i did, when i received my new pair they were the wrong prescription, so they had to order me another pair and when i received the new pair one of the lens were replaced with a different corrected lens, but the other one was left the original dark lens their lab put in it, so for the past month and a half i have been walking around with two different tents on my glasses, i had to go back again and ask for the same tents on each side, now i have been waiting another three weeks for the lab to get it right or at least thats what they keep telling me. the employee who first took my order seems like he does not know how to do his job, another employee Edder is the only one who has explained and was apologetic. i would like to tell him thank you

This doctor is very thorough and took time to answer my questions. The selection of glasses is great. She even examined my retina without charging extra and showed me a photograph of it on a computer screen. My prior optometrist used to charge an extra $ 25 for that service. After VSP insurance coverage there were no payments required for neither glasses nor co-​payment. I definitely recommend Dr. Kwong.

When it comes to Optometrists, I generally have no loyalty. Maybe it’s because I have been wearing glasses since the second grade, but I have a fascination with designer glasses. Yes you can purchase them online; however, I love the convenience of walking into an Optometrist office and being custom fitted with a pair of glasses.
Back in 2010, per recommendation by a fellow co-​worker, I decided to check out Dr. Kwong’s office. My prescription hadn’t changed, so I bypassed the eye exam and elected to choose a new pair of frames. The guy who assisted me was extremely patient and did a great job in assisting me with selecting a stylish pair of Joseph Abboud frames. Unfortunately, I made the silly mistake of adding transition lenses to the frames (the only reason why I don’t currently wear them).
Last week I visited Dr. Kwong’s office for both an eye examination and to select a new pair of frames. Per my arrival, Dr. Kwong took me to the back room and started the examination process. Unlike other optometrists, Dr. Kwong is VERY forthcoming when it comes to sharing optical information with her patients. She did an excellent job of explaining what a healthy optic nerve looks like (thankfully I’m still part of this club), and what an unhealthy optic nerve looks like due to Glaucoma or trauma to the eye. Outside of the typical eye exam (read the smallest characters possible), I have never had an optometrists take the time to fully explain the eye in detail (I almost felt like I was in school again).
After the eye exam successfully concluded, I was led out to the main floor to select a new pair of frames. One of Dr. Kwong’s assistants helped me select 5 frames that we agreed upon. After narrowing down the selection to 2 frames (based on how the frames complimented my face), we ultimately decided on a new pair of Joseph Abboud (this lady has great taste). I was told that my frames would arrive in a week!
Informative eye exams, decent selection of frames, and most importantly… EXCELLENT customer service!

Just experienced my best eye exam ever. If you want to feel like your eyes are well cared for you should come here. The office has a real mom and pop shop feel, not cold and unpersonal like most optometry offices. Eventhough the office is old school Dr. Kwong has very up to date technology to ensure you get the best care. Most importantly Dr. Kwong made me feel like she didn’t just want to make money off me, and wanted to do what she can to make my eye care affordable. My final cost was less than half of the cost I was quoted by other optometrist in the area.

Best customer service ever and I am not even a patient, yet. I might have to switch over.
I came in to get the nose pad on my glasses repair since one fell off and the staff was awesome. They didn’t even charge me for doing it and they told me about the warranty on my lenses because it was scratched! I appreciate it so much!

My husband and I scheduled our eye exams with Dr Kwon based on her Unilocal reviews and we are so glad we did! Very thorough exams and she explained everything to us. Very friendly and helpful staff as well. Will definitely be returning next year!

It was 1987 and very pregnant with my first child Hannah when I first met Dr Helen Kwong, almost 30 years, 5 kids, two grandchildren,(and counting!) later we’ve had the privilege of having Dr Kwong as our family optometrist. She has been consistent is the time and care that she takes with each and every patient of hers, keeping them comfortable and informed throughout the exam and process. Regardless of young or old, toddler or teenager, the day I walked into her office and made an appointment was one of the smartest things I ever did for my family. And for myself. You may think this sounds like a bunch of fluff and sugar but I mean every word of it. I trust Dr Kwong with the eyes of my children, and my children’s children. Three generations, one doc. What better endorsement is there than that. Thank you for your time sincerely– Jacobina Stahl, patient of Dr Kwong since 1987 and counting

This is my first Unilocal review. Normally, I only read others’ reviews and never write anything myself. I hope that others can read this and experience for themselves top-​notch eye care as I did.
Before starting the exams, Dr. Kwong asked about my contact lens habits – questions no other eye doctors I had visited asked me or even questions I had thought about. After the usual slit lamp, autorefractor, and vision exams, Dr. Kwong took an image of my retina to make sure there were no problems. After explaining my results, she showed me images of what other eye problems look like. I actually had fun doing this – we probably spent 15 minutes looking at a bunch of images.
Because I have moderate astigmatism, Dr. Kwong gave me toric lenses to try on, but it didn’t fit properly on my left eye. But, no problem – she brought out other lenses for me to try and gave me two pairs to test run in the next couple weeks.
I don’t have vision insurance, so I came fully prepared. But, Dr. Kwong asked me how tight my budget was and actually gave me a very generous discount.
Dr. Kwong carefully explains and answers all of your questions without appearing impatient or making you feel hurried. She’s now my go-​to eye doctor.
This is how customer service should be done. Bravo.

Excellent overall experience. Because of my company’s new insurance policy i had to gamble on a new optometrist, thanks to everyone’s reviews i chose correctly. Doctor Helen is nice and very knowledgeable and the whole appointment was quick. All my questions about eye health were answered and the insurance mumbo jumbo was explained clearly. To single out an example of excellent service: I could never see the numbers inside the color test ever since i was a chile, then the doc gave me a red filter to put over my eye and i could see every single number, it was fun and enlightening, now i know what cones i lack in the eye and possible remedies… that’s excellent service that no prior eye doc ever bothered to show me. will be going back yearly.

This review is for the front counter customer service today. The screw fell off of my prescription glasses the other day and I haven’t been able to go in and see my doctor since he’s not located in downtown. I remember passing by this place the other day and decided to go in and ask if they can help me. The gentleman was really nice and offered to help when I showed him my glasses so I was really happy since I will be leaving out of town today. I think Helen (the optometrist) was with a customer but when she saw me she said «Hi». The customer service was great and the optometrist seemed friendly. Minutes later my glasses were fixed and cleaned! Thank you so much as I will be considering this place in the future as my main optometry place!

This is my first Unilocal review and I should have done this sooner. Dr. Helen Kwong and her staff have always been very accommodating for my whole family of 5. I have been going to Dr. Kwong on and off for over 20 years. A few years ago I had my eyes dilated and had the computer screen magnify my eyes and that was when Dr. Kwong noticed that my one eye was bleeding. Her office staff arranged for me to see my new insurance at UCD med center immediately when I did not know what to do. After many laser repairs of my retina in both eyes, they are stable now. I don’t know what could of happened if I did not have the exam done. Her prices are very reasonable for her exams as well as frame prices. I have referred my sister and mom too and they are very happy. Dr. Kwong and Kitty speak some Chinese which my mom really appreciates.

Can’t believe I haven’t reviewed this place yet. The whole staff is amazing.
Set an appointment for me and my husband. Got a reminder call the day before our appt.
Went in and they handled everything so quickly. We barely had to fill out anything. I was seen first. Dr. Kwong was super informative and explains everything to you. Shows you the pictures of your eyes let’s you know what means what. Pretty cool.
Then I went out to look at frames while my husband had his exam. So I’m browsing when the adorable Kitty comes over and starts looking with me and having me try different ones on. I love that she was totally honest when they didn’t look good on me.
So I kept browsing on my own and finally found 2 pairs of frames. I was going to wait for my husband to see what he thought of them. Then Kitty came and sat in front of me and said, «OK, let’s see!». Geez, she’s so cute. So I tried them both on. Her response, «These fit your face more, they’re more feminine. But these are just so cool». Hehe. Loved it.
Any who, my husband comes out and we start to look for his frames. Kitty starts looking too. She also made it a point to find frames that were covered by our insurance. We hadn’t even mentioned anything about needing to stay under a certain price, but that was very much appreciated. They weren’t trying to up sell us. Just genuinely wanted to help.
Kenny at the front is super nice too.
Referred my mom and she has had the best experiences with them as well.
Love this place. Love these people.

One of the most thorough eye exams I have ever had. Everyone in the office was friendly and helpful, and the whole process was very pleasant.
There was a slight aberration with the prescription, but the doctor was quite thorough in rechecking my eyes to determine the cause.
I recommend Dr. Kwong and her staff to anyone looking for an optomitrist. Professional, personable, efficient, and reasonable.

I am so very glad I chose Dr. Kwong as a result of these Unilocal reviews. I do not regret it one bit. I have only been wearing classes for 4 years and she is only my second eye doctor but I hope to have her as my eye doctor for many years to come. Not only was dilation of my eyes not necessary for the exam like it usually is, at least at my last eye doctor, her attention to detail and willingness to show me what she saw inside my eyes on her computer screen and go into great detail about what I was looking at is very much appreciated. My previous eye doctor did the exam and nothing else. I got my new glasses prescription and was fitted for contacts for the first time. Her assistant was great at helping me select the frames for my glasses and then helped me with my sample contacts for the first time. After a couple times of my involuntarily blinking and a few shared good natured giggles we got the contact in and she let me do the other eye myself. After a clumsy couple of attempts and more shared giggles I was able to get it in place and then she instructed me on how to remove them after which I put them back on and was on my way.
The inside was definitely aged but I felt more comfortable there than in the pristine high tech looking office of my previous eye doctor. There was also much less intimidating equipment around at my previous doctors office which always made me feel like I was going in for an operation.
I will recommend gladly Helen Kwong to anyone I hear is looking for an eye doctor!

I have never been to Dr. Kwong before, but I work in the area. I was scared that I had a viral infection in my eye, and my boss said to walk over — sometimes she can fit you in. Both of the young men in the front office were attentive, polite, and helpful. I told them I wanted to ask Dr. Kwong a question, and she immediately whisked me away to an exam room and she performed an examination on the spot. She answered my questions, allayed my fears, and didn’t even charge me, even when I asked to pay. Thank you Dr. Kwong for the amazing service and for your time. I will come to you from now on!

This office is the best. They replace your lens for cheap and even gave me a free case. They are always super helpful and fast service!

I’ve been a patient of Dr. Kwong’s since I was in middle school, and she continues to give excellent customer service and care. Her staff is friendly and very efficient at making appointments, and arranging orders for glasses and contacts. I totally recommend Dr. Kwong to anyone in need of an optometrist. *Another benefit to visiting is that she is just a few doors down from Estelle’s Patisserie!

I have been going here since I was little, I’m now 23 and live in the bay area, and I still wait until I visit home to have my eye exam (since I only go once a year, it’s worth it to wait).
First off, she is efficient but maintains fabulous quality. Her prescriptions are always right on the money. She’s definitely good at what she does and this is probably the most important part of her practice.
Second, the prices are incredibly competitive, I’ve had optometrists here (palo alto) quote me up to three times the price for the same service and try to be sneaky about it. People hell bent on squeezing every penny out of you aren’t going to give you the best service anyways. Dr. Kwong is always amazing at getting me the most bang for my buck/​insurance coverage.
Third, my vision situation is a little bit complicated but she accommodates me wonderfully. I wear contacts, and like to sleep in them (so I buy ciba night and day 24 hour monthly lenses) but I also play water polo and need to swim with no goggles and my contacts in. For this I get dailies with a wide curvature so they don’t fall out.
Fourth, I think she’s just a wonderful person, very friendly and kind and so is her staff. I hardly ever write these reviews but she deserves it, something I realized even more so when I looked into finding a more local optometrist and found more devoted business people rather than health providers. She is definitely the latter. :D