Century Eye Care

I am so consistently pleased & very well taken care of during the past 5 years that I’ve been a patient at Century Eye Care. Not only do I receive excellent medical care, but the staff are always more professional & friendlier than I find at any business these days. The staff & doctors have gone above & beyond on repeated occasions to make sure I have what I need with help on contact lens orders & more. I have moved to Seattle since I originally became a patient at Century, but continue to make the hour long trip down to their office for care because I can’t imagine going anywhere else.

I needed an eye exam and contact lenses for an entire year. I called to schedule and it was quite easy. The lady who answered my phone calls was nice and prompt to answer any questions I had.
At the day of the exam, I quickly got through examination without waiting much and everything went great. Though, I asked Dr. Manning if I could be prescribed two different brands of contacts, he answered yes.
A week later after trying out the contact lenses, I was ready to order. However, when I called to order, the clerk told me that Dr. Manning said I had to choose one. I felt kind of betrayed because I wanted to be able to switch different brands in case I decided one brand really did feel better than the other.
Nevertheless, I feel that Dr. Manning wanted me to stick to one brand, so I ordered an entire year supply without fuss, and I am still a satisfied client. I did feel Dr. Manning was trying upsell contact lens brands that had would probably profit him more, but my insurance paid all of this anyways.

On August 29^th, I went in to have my contacts re-​checked as I have had issues with my previous contacts. Every time I have went the entire team at Century Eye Care have been great!!! Today though, I met a gal named Laura at the front desk who I felt was not polite and her skills in customer service are terrible. I am a front desk at a dental practice and customer service is something I truly feel is very important to me. I was told I could return my unopened boxes of contacts last week (August 22^nd) and also the morning of my appointment from another team member. But Laura very rudely informed me that I could not even though the boxes were not opened at all. She even seemed annoyed at my presence when I arrived at my eye appointment. Her greeting seemed fake and she ordered me to sit and wait for the doctor. I don’t order my patients at the office I work at to go sit and wait for the doctor. I greet them with a friendly hello, how are you doing and if you would like to have a seat, the doctor will be with you shortly. But hey that is just me. At the end of my visit I had mentioned that I forgot to bring in my unopened boxes of contacts and that I could swing by later to bring them. (I basically wanted a quote on how much the new contacts would be.) As a matter of fact I never once mentioned what would I do with my old contacts. In my head I had assumed I was going to be paying for new contacts, and never even thought of what to do with my old unopened ones. When she had rudely stated that they don’t do that, and that is like taking medicine back! I simply stated that a couple of team members (one who was up front with Laura) had told me that as long as they were UNOPENED boxes that I could most certainly trade them and pay the difference of the cost. She again rudely said, «WHO TOLD YOU THAT? I then looked at the girl (can’t remember her name) and said she was one of the people who told me. «Well we don’t!» was Laura’s response! She was very harsh and rude with me and I don’t appreciate being spoken to in such a rude manner when I am a paying customer/​patient. The girl even said sorry to be about misinforming me in front of Laura, which I then responded oh it is okay! I understand mistakes happen, I just don’t like how I am being treated by her!, while pointing at Laura who is now rolling her eyes at me. Anyhow due to her lack of good quality customer service I will be ordering my contacts elsewhere and finding a new eye doctor for me and my children. Let me say one more time though that I am very disappointed that I can not go back to Century Eye Care as I have found that everyone that I have dealt with have been more than professional and courtesy with me.

Edit: I have now updated my review to reflect the additional appointments I have had:
Dr. Manning and his staff are very courteous and knowledgeable. I’ve been to several eye doctors over the years and the trend seems to be treating customers like a number, and not taking the time to answer any questions or explain much of anything at all. It’s hard to find an organization that provides good personal customer service — this facility offers just that.
Due to Dr. Manning’s thorough attention to detail, he noticed things that my previous eye doctor failed to recognize. Dr. Manning takes the time to explain what he is doing, the condition of your eyes, and offers ways that you can improve overall eye comfort. For me, it was actually a weaker strength prescription but adding computer tinted eye glasses which have reduced headaches and eye fatigue tremendously. It’s a night and day comparison between my old frames.
I fully trust Dr. Manning and his team and recommend him to my family and friends.
Original review:
This place is great! I called as a new patient on a Friday afternoon and they were able to fit me in the next day.
Very good and friendly customer service, knowledgeable staff and a large selection of frames. Prices are reasonable and it only takes a few weeks to get your new frames in. Will definitely come back.

I made an appointment to go in today and they had 2 different time slots available. The staff was exceptionally friendly, the price seemed completely reasonable, I just had an eye exam done, which was 120 $, and I ordered a pair of glasses that I very desperately needed. I think total was in the area of 340 or 360. Which isn’t bad apparently from what I hear from my family members. The doctor who did my exam was super friendly and very informative. I haven’t had many eye exams in my time, but I can say this was a very positive experience in every way, and I will definitely be returning when I need to.

This place is kind and friendly but thats because they are out to upsell and make as much money off you as possible. I went in for a new eye glass prescription and contact lens prescription. I have Vision insurance and thought everything would be covered under my Vision Insurance. They did not tell me that some of the procedures the Eye Doc recommended for me to do was not covered under Vision insurance but my medical insurance. The Doc never explained to me HOW MUCH ANY OF THESE EXTRA PROCEDURES would cost me. He only said he recommends them as a PRECAUTIONARY measure. You see what they do here.
When I went back in to get my contacts that I had already paid for during the initial exam they hit me with a $ 200 bill! That I had no idea was coming. They said it was what was left over that my medical didnt cover. I was totally unaware that they were using my medical insurance. NOTHING WAS EXPLAINED TO ME! NOBODY TOLD ME THE COST OF PRECAUTIONARY PROCEDURES AND THAT IT WOULD BE UNDER MY MEDICAL. For god sakes I went in there for a simple prescription for glasses and contacts. They ended up getting almost $ 400 from me from sneaky upsell tactics and NOT EXPLAINING ANYTHING.
STAY AWAY THEY ARE CROOKS!

This is a fantastic place for your eye exams. The staff is friendly and caring. Dr. Zelasko was the only one to accurately diagnose and treat a problem that I have had for years! Come on and check them out!

This place is ridiculous! My son broke his glasses, and I called and placed another order, 3 weeks later when I took my daughter in for an eye exam I checked to see if my sons glasses have arrived. «no not yet, should only be a few more weeks» So I call again a few weeks later and check, no still not in I see here they were placed on the 15^th and right now it is taking 10 – 15 weeks to come in, they are really busy. Well no, I ordered them 3 weeks before the 15^th, so your telling me they were never ordered the first time. Fine whatever, I will order through someone else. I get his prescription and there is no PD listed, oh we cant give you that information you will have to have whoever you are ordering through do it. Well I am ordering online, that wont work. Well you can come in pay $ 20 to have the PD measured… WAIT…WHAT?! the reason I am having to order from someone else is because of YOUR screw up, you were already paid to measure my childs PD when he got his exam and now you want me to pay YET AGAIN? No, I dont think so! I will never go to this place again, and that’s 9 patients they just lost!

I have been a customer of Century EyeCare for a few years. However, just for eye exams and contact lenses. I brought my first pair of eye glasses a few months ago. Michael Kors frames. Very expensive, but I have a great insurance plan so I pay pretty much nothing. What was upsetting to me is… after a few months a decorative piece at the corner of the frames fell out. I take very good care of my glasses. Never sleep in them. Always use my case. So I returned them. Gladly, they told me they can replace the frames ‘with no charge to me because they were defective.’ The exact words the staff member left on my voicemail. Well… when I went to pick them up, they tried to charge me for the shipping and handling of $ 25. Could I pay this, yes of course. But it’s the principle behind it. You can’t tell a customer they don’t have to pay anything, then change your mind. Not to mention, at an attempt to get me to pay, a male staff member (manager I assume) came out and proceeded to tell me that the small piece fell out because I’m opening them to wide! Oh so now, they are no longer defective, but it’s my fault. Needless to say, my business will be going elsewhere simply because through my insurance this place has made a lot of money off me. And did not treat me like the regular that I am.

I had an eye exam about 2 weeks ago, and I have never experienced a better visit to the optometrist for as long as I can remember. I’ve gone to other places, such as Lens Crafters and the Walmart Vision Center, and I was never really satisfied with my visits in those other places.
From the very beginning, the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. The girl at the front counter is super friendly and is great at breaking down insurance benefits. The tech who saw me seems to enjoy her job and does very well at performing it. Dr. Zelasko really is wonderful because he is very thorough and doesn’t get impatient during the exam if you ask him to repeat something.
In addition, I had pictures taken of my eyes with the Optomap machine, rather than dilating. I don’t understand why someone (previous reviewer) would state that the staff tries to upsell everything, including the Optomap photos. For one, you don’t have to have your eyes sensitive to light for hours, and two, the photos are super detailed and can be kept in your record for comparison in the future. In my opinion, the fee for the photos is totally reasonable. Also, dilation is covered in the exam fee (no extra charge). So I don’t understand where the lady before my review got the idea that they try to charge you for this service.
As far as glasses selection goes, I noticed there are many frames for all ages to choose. The opticians are very informative about what your benefits cover and are great at helping you select which frame looks best for your facial structure. Not only this, but they don’t breathe down your neck like other places do while you make your selection. I don’t understand why another reviewer said that they try to upsell glasses as well. It’s my understanding that they just try to help you purchase exactly what you’d be happy with. Anti-​glare is a must, especially if you’re a computer user! As with any apparel, you get what you pay for!
I feel like the people in this office really care about their patients and want what’s best for them. I will return to Century Eye Care for all of my eye visits from now on.

Wow amazing customer service from booking a appointment on the phone to going in for the first time!
Very sweet doctor & staff all around.
Clean, Well kept facility inside & out.
Fast, I was in & out!
I can’t wait to pick up my Gucci glasses in a couple days!
Well recommended for Regence Bluecross blue shield insurance holders as well.
I remember in 2008 I went to «Americas Best» and never again they suck.
Small business owners rock! Sticking to them indeed.

Doctor is a nice guy and has a nice manner.
Otherwise, I have bought eyeglasses here three or four times over the years, and I have been kept waiting 20 – 30 minutes past the scheduled appointment every time. And while your time is not important to the office, your wallet is — the staff will try to upsell you on everything, from a machine used in lieu of dilating your eyes to every bell and whistle imaginable for your lenses/​frames.

I’m a new patient here as of Jan «14.
My experience here has been great!
Clean, friendly and professional staff.
I found my home for my annual eye exam needs, yay!

I have been seeing Dr. Zelasko for 4+ years now. He is corky and funny but very professional and I trust him with my eye care. The girls up front change alot, maybe a dead end job of sorts so sometimes it would be great or frustrating service at times. Easy to get a appt. and don’t have to wait very long. If your looking for a good eye doc in Tacoma I would recommend them.

I had my first eye exam done here. They were super helpful and made the entire experience pleasant and super easy. Took care of my insurance beforehand and knew exactly what they covered even when I had no idea. They made me feel comfortable and had great glasses packages so i ended up paying a lot less for my glasses then expected! Definitely will be returning for any eye issues.

Great experience with Century Eye Care. Besides the very friendly service, the Dr also explained what was going on with my eyes and the best way to care for my eyes. I never had an eye Dr talk to me on a level that I could understand the way Dr. Zelasko did on Saturday. Great hours of Operation, did not have to wait long and a very nice office. Very happy with Century Eye Care, would highly recommend to others.

I’v been going to Century Eye Care for over 10 years now and I can’t imagine going anywhere else. Joe (Dr. Zelasko) is amazing. He’s laid back, forthecoming with information while educating and never rushes. His office staff is also very friendly and on top of things. A special shout out to Jackie who has been working there about as long as I’ve been going there and she makes me feel like we are all one big family. She is truly amazing.
Thanks Century Eye Care for making an eye appointment the best it could possibly be!

Had a great experience at Century Eye Care, Dr. Zelasko and his staff were/​are wonderful!

I brought my niece here because they accept her insurance. The gal at the front count I was working with was very friendly, but I found it a little odd that the doctor didn’t even introduce himself to me since my niece is a minor. When it came time to pick out some frames, the only options available were all for smaller sized heads/​faces. When I asked about it, the lady assisting my niece said that those were the only options that were 100% covered by the insurance. My niece had only one option at that point — the one and only frame that fit. Color options were an odd brownish/​tan or an unknown shade of gray. After she wrote down the «selection», I asked how long it would take to get them. She informed me it’d be 4 – 6 weeks. I just called the office to double check the time frame and was given some addition info, which would’ve been good to know while I was still in the office. The gal who answered the call was clearly not the same person I’ve been dealing with as she seemed a bit more than eager to get off the phone with me and even offered to print me out the prescription so that I could take it somewhere else. I won’t be taking my kids there. :(

I love this office, all of the staff is friendly, fast and efficient. Jacque has saved my glasses numerous times over the years when my daughter has gotten ahold of them. She also was able to get me to put contacts in my eyes which I thought no one could do.