Eye Care Institute

DO NOT BUY GLASSES FROM HERE. TAKE YOUR PRESCRIPTION ELSEWHERE! I wish I could give no stars. I never write reviews. However, my experience was so awful that I felt I should advise people to buy glasses elsewhere. I have never experienced such horrible customer service. First, I was in between two pairs of glasses and the lady told me she would call me in two days with the price of each pair. I’m not sure why she even needed two days. Well I never got that call so I called them, only to find out that she placed an order for both pairs of glasses totaling $ 760. I wanted to cancel one pair but they were closing so I had to call back the next day to cancel one of the pairs (how horrible is that!?) I told the lady I would like to cancel the brown and gold pair and keep the purple pair. I had a feeling she was canceling the wrong pair but she kept insisting she was canceling the correct pair, the brown glasses. She told me I had canceled soon enough to avoid any fees. When my glasses came in they did not even call me. I had to call in and ask. I rushed there after work and waited in traffic for a half hour to find the BROWN glasses waiting for me. I was pissed. They didn’t even order the correct pair of glasses for another 5 days. They offered to let me use the brown pair until my other glasses came in, but because I accepted that offer I was told I have to pay 50% of the cost of the glasses to exchange them for the ones I was supposed to have received in the first place! It took a month to get the glasses I actually wanted. They didn’t offer any discounts. They didn’t apologize. They did not care that they made a mistake that cost me $ 500. Yes, I ended up having to pay for both glasses even though it was THEIR mistake. Had the lady canceled the correct pair in the first place my glasses would have only been $ 260. Oh, and I called to speak with a manager twice and was told I would receive a call by the end of the day. Guess what? That call never came. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY.

Got a call from then to verify my insurance. A elk after a get Bill for $ 350. Had to call my insurance too clarify, they did, but said that empire doctors denied that I provided my insurance information. Thieves, that’s all they are.

Had my eyes examined by Dr. Lightfoot who was very personable and professional. They have a wide selection of glasses and I was able to take my time looking at a variety of styles of frames and lenses.
My glasses became loose through normal wear and just went in for a tuneup. They were very nice and efficient, tuned up the glasses for free, made sure the fit was good and I was on my way.
A nice plus is there is dedicated parking in the parking lot just behind their offices, a big help in parking-​challenged downtown Santa Rosa.

Never again. Waited for the Doctor for an hour — concept of ‘appointment’ not understood with this group. Also, make sure to keep all receipts…(consider yourself forewarned).

Pleasant experience getting my eye exam and dealing with a very helpful and friendly sales rep. Dr. David Lightfoot was very nice and added a little humor during my eye exam. They were a little behind at the time of my appointment but keep me assured they would be with me soon and they were. After the exam the sales rep was very helpful and friendly. They have a good selection of frames to chose from. I was there for sunglasses. They did not have quite what I wanted so I am still in the prosses of picking out what I want so they can order them.

Empire Eye Doctors and eye glasses center did a nice job on my new bifocals. I am pleased. Staff is friendly and helpful. Yet, it is best to call first and not just walk in because they can get very busy.

I was so hoping that this would be a wonderful experience! At the age of 62, I finally broke down and went to have my FIRST eye examination. Knowing that my eyesight was not as sharp as it once was, iI went into this eye examination with a pretty good idea that I would be needing eyeglasses.
I will say that the ladies at the reception desk were wonderful! Polite and personable, they did whatever they could to make me feel comfortable and at ease! I indicated to everyone I say that I was a novice at this business of eye examinations and eyeglasses. It was no secret, certainly. The first woman that I saw during my appointment explained what the machine she was using was meant for, but was a bit distant and coldly professional. Still, no problem… I was new at this, after all. My time with the doctor was direct and brief, painless and easy, but with little explanation of what was going on. I admit that perhaps I should have asked better questions, but did not know what to ask… my fault… I should have done some research before I went.
My primary complaint is this: I was not informed of all of my options! The doctor, after his examination, indicated that I did need glasses, and said, «Let’s go out to the other room to get them.» I was not told that I was under no obligation to buy my eyeglasses right there!
After choosing a pair of eyeglasses, and paying for half of the price (not aware if they were inexpensive, expensive, or in betwen, I asked the woman who took my money if I should have any paperwork… and she told me that I did not need any.
My research later showed me that I should indeed have a copy of my prescription, which I have requested, that I can indeed have my prescription filled anywher I chose, and that the eyeglasses at this facility are quite expensive.
My final evaluation is this: We all love to do business with those whom we trust… I’ll not be returning to this office. I felt like my inexperience was something that was taken advantage of. The correct way to handle this would have been «Yes, you need glasses… I’ll write you a prescription, which you may have filled at a facility of your choice. We have a wonderful lab and some beautiful frames for you to select from right here, and if you wish, I’d be happy to arrange for you to look at them.»
It’s a shame that things didn’t go this way… as I said, I had such high hopes!