Eye Level Inc

Some of the reasons I love Dr. Karikomi:
–today he spent about an hour and a half with me, and when his assistant paged him to remind him he had a personal errand to run before closing, he said «oh that’s ok, I don’t care. I’m having too much fun talking to Stephanie, I’ll do it tomorrow.»
–he manages and monitors all my eye conditions, and he never judges me when I tell him I haven’t been keeping up with all the habits I’m supposed to have developed to cope with them (maybe I don’t really enjoy washing and massaging my eyelids and doing a hot compress every.single.night.)
–every time he sees me (usually at least 2 – 4 times a year) he genuinely asks how I’m doing, remembers the job I last had (and I’ve had about 9 since I started seeing him) and is sincerely interested in how I’m doing personally
–explains medically what is happening with my eyes, every single time, and doesn’t assume I won’t understand or talk down to me
–asks me to tell him what’s new in my field (counseling) and tells me what’s new in his.
–a year ago I asked him for a trial of contacts (which I typically can’t wear because of my eye problems) for a Halloween party. He found some that worked for me, asked to see pictures of the costume, and has since asked to see my latest costume every time I see him because it turned into a ridiculous cosplay hobby. :)
If you do not have an eye doctor that you love, you should see Dr. Alan Karikomi. He reminded me today that I’ve seen him for 10 years (we had a little moment), and though I strayed to another doctor for a bit when my insurance changed, I ended up going back to him and paying out of pocket until I got back on a plan in network. He’s far more thorough in his exams than any doctor I’ve seen, and he’s concerned about overall eye health, not just how well you can see. (If you didn’t know you have to be concerned about more than vision, you do.) Go see him. He’s great, and you’ll get comprehensive care for your eyes.
And for the people who complained about the cleanliness of the office… in the decade I’ve seen him, multiple times a year for the last several years, I’ve had many different staff members run the pre-​exam tests. I’ve watched them wipe down the instruments every time and have never once been concerned about germs or dirt in the office. The office staff is beyond competent and friendly, always remembering me and happy to see me. My only complaint is that they’re only open typical business hours Monday through Friday and I don’t work downtown, but I’ll continue taking time off work to go see them a few times a year because the practice is unparalleled.

Dr. Karikomi and his staff are a great health team and I have trusted them with my entire family for years. Their patient flow is efficient, professional and friendly from appointment setting to arrival to exam and to eyeglass selection. The most important feature for me is the eye exam. Dr. Karikomi is always using the most modern and sophisticated technology for reviewing the health of your eyes. Once his staff completes a battery of tests the Dr takes his time with you and examines your eyes and explains all test results and gives recommendations.

Outstanding! I have been going to Dr. Karikomi’s office for a few years on the recommendation of a friend. High attention to detail from Dr. K. and the entire staff. It has always been a very professional and friendly experience. The only look out is that it will take a very long time when you have an appointment so be sure to block out extra time. I prefer this rather than being hurried. Also, it would be better if they offered early morning, evening, or weekend appointments to help with the schedules of those who have traditional office work hours. I highly recommend this as the premier place in the city for glasses and contacts.

Like all the other reviews I would have to agree with how unprofessional the office staff and techs acted and how unsanitary the equipment was. When entering the door I was asked if I had completed the forms online, I had not even been sent the link prior to. After spending 15 mins completing this I had to listen to the tech and front desk lady bicker about my forms that were sent over from the office that performed my LASIK procedure. Not only was the equipment dirty but the tech did not sanitize the machines before or after use. Even though Dr. Karikomi was beyond great the office staff and unsanitary equipment and space did it in for me not to return again.

I really like Dr. Drey, great caring and smart doctor!
HATE the office staff and attitude they have.
Technicians are dirty and do not sanitize between patients. I got pink eye after my exam there. The Dr. didnt even touch me! but the the eye testing equipment that the technicians handle did!,
I like Dr Drey and the loop location.
UNTILL the office staff allowed a mail order of contacts to go thru even though they knew it was wrong! and guess what? no apology or anything even after they ok’d the wrong lens (no returns due to online source) of course no refunds, just my loss.
never go there cause «you ordered it online and I approved it, I thought it was wrong» was their response. (6 months worth of lens out in the trash) NOT A CHEAP LOSS
I’ll google Dr. Drey and see if he has his own office or other affiliations to go see him at another office.

Today I had my yearly eye exam and I had such wonderful service that I felt it deserved a Unilocal review.
I have a newborn baby and I was extremely nervous to bring him to my exam. (I really didn’t have a choice). So, I called the office and told them my situation and the staff assured me that it was ok to bring in my baby.
I was completely amazed by how patient and positive the staff was with me and my tiny guy. Dr. Drey and his Staff offered me options when my little guy was getting cranky. They were never annoyed, frustrated or irritated. It’s nice to know that they are family friendly :)
The Dr. and Staff also were very clear on what was covered and what wasn’t. They also told me prices of each procedure so I could get an idea of what I would be paying. I was never surprised with the amount I had to pay after my appointment.
The office is a little small, and to some that might be a little frustrating, but I don’t mind it :) I really like the staff and I’m looking forward to my next appointment.

I have gone to Dr. Karikomi for at least 4 years now, truly you can’t find a better doctor or team. He will spend all the time necessary with each patient, now being towards the end of the day you might wait a little bit to see him. That is only because he does such a complete job examining your eyes and discussing what he found. He is warm, compasionate and caring. He will not rush you and he will discuss with each patient what he finds.
His team has always been kind, helpful and resourceful. They explain benefits and what is available, yesterday they told me I had more VSP benefits than I thought.
If you’re looking for an Optomtrist in the loop, look no further. Yes, you get moved around, they test you in so many ways and with various machines, but I’d rather be moving than sitting and waiting to start the process. They are great and because of this they are busy, if you’re concerned about being there a while make your appointment first thing in the morning.

I have been a patient of Dr. Karikomi for over 7 years and have grown very fond of him and the entire staff. It is such a nice atmosphere and I feel I am in very capable hands no matter who is helping me. I no longer work downtown, I’ve transferred to the northwest suburbs and sometimes it is a challenge for me to get to the office but I wouldn’t trade this comfort for anything. Thank you Dr. Karikomi, Pam, Russ, Patricia and all the staff for your knowledge, professionalism, and most of all friendly camaraderie.

Both Dr. Karikomi and Dr. Drey are extremely nice and knowledegable (I’ve seen Dr. Karikomi twice and Dr. Drey twice), however their incompetent and rude front-​office staff is enough reason for me to switch doctors. The greeting receptionist looked and acted very annoyed having to check me in and since the two only chairs they have in the place were taken, I was asked to sit off to the side. I waited fifteen minutes before another person asked me if I had completed their online profile yet (which I hadn’t) and was given a tablet to complete the information which took about five minutes. I then waited another ten minutes before someone completely different (now person #3) asked me to fill out yet another form asking if I wanted the glaucoma test (I didn’t as I had it the last time I was there which they should have known). After thirty minutes of waiting (in the middle of my work day) without anyone warning me the doctor was running behind or letting me know how long a wait to expect, I was just about to get up and leave when person #4 finally brought me to the back to perform the standard tests — which was a extremely disorganized process in itself. The doctor STILL wasn’t ready to see me so I was asked to wait back in the waiting area for another five minutes. The «check out» process is also disorganized where you are handed over to one of three other people, using a calculator to determine your cost (isn’t that built into their system?) and then try talking you into a year’s supply of contacts when you can get them for half their cost from 1−800-CONTACTS. Needless to say, I will be switching doctors.

went there for over 25 years, and liked his thoroughness in exams, even at the outrageous prices. but when i asked to have the last pair of glasses fitted with new lenses, they broke the frames, then claimed they’d told me that they could not guarantee it would work… even though it was a pair of glasses previously bought from him, and of course no one ever told me that.
additionally, they do press you to buy at overcharges, and when they ran the order through at $ 600 for lenses for another pair of his earlier glasses, then changed my mind and left a message the next morning before they opened, they claimed that it was too late, but that i could have a lesser lens at $ 450, but would charge $ 300 if i cancelled the order, and refused to just refund the money.
i’ve gone elsewhere, saved a lot, don’t feel ripped off, and found a fine optometrist nearby as well.

I want to say Dr. Eric Drey was excellent and deserves 4 stars.
But i gave this place a 1 star due to the service. I felt like cattle being driven in and out. And they lied to me. I asked if they took my insurance and the one said yes. Later i found out they don’t and i was hit with a $ 150 dollar bill. NOT COOL!

I had a great experience with Dr. Eric Drey. What an Amazing doctor!!! And not bad on the eyes either! He took the time to chat, and go over details of what he was doing. At the time I had another medical issue as well, and he let me know a personal story and offerred to refer me to his doctor as welll. Just an overall really great experience with him. If you go there, you should as for Dr. Drey. He is a bad ass! THis is why this place gets 4 stars.
As for the staff, I can’t speak too highly. VERY slow. And also, I ordered glasses and it took a LONG time for them to come in!!! They had no problem pestering me about picking out a pair, and getting them paid for. But no follow up what so ever. They had to be special ordered. And he said it would take a week. I called in a week, and he NEVER placed the order. I will from now on be getting my glasses, etc, from another place online.
But if you need a great doctor, who is open and honest, Dr. Drey is your guy!

Excellent, excellent, excellent! I always look forward to my annual appointment. The staff are welcoming and organized, a pleasure to deal with. And Dr. Karikomi — I cannot say enough about his caring, attention to detail and follow through.
Years ago, he referred me to a specialist at Northwestern for a tiny spot he noticed on my cornea, just wanted to be sure it was okay. And the eye surgeon there told me most optometrists would not have caught it, also that it was no problem for right then, but could bear watching.
Understandably, I’ve been seeing Dr. Karikomi ever since, would not even think of consulting anyone else! Eyes are so important, and if you want the very best care for your eyes, I highly recommend Dr. Karikomi and his staff!

I have been a patient of Dr. Karikomi’s almost continually for 30 years. I say «almost continually» because when I was not working in downtown Chicago for a year, I went to another eye doctor for convenience. I learned my lesson. Dr. Karikomi’s thoroughness is unmatched. He has gone beyond a mere eye exam, as my eyes have aged, to assure their health and has watched over me to assure that I do not develop glaucoma, has helped me through a retinal tear and cataracts. He has been particularly patient with my vanity, helping to adjust my prescription to stave off the necessity of bifocals and «granny» glasses necessitated by presbyopia (inability to see things closely). Once I have cataract surgery, I will no longer need to see him for glasses, but will continue to see him to assure my eye health. I would not go anywhere else.

Dr. Karikomi and his staff are excellent because they take the time to ensure the best care for one of your most valuable assets, your eyes.
I was impressed by the doctor’s overall knowledge and natural ability to understand my problem that has been reocurring and NOT diagnosed by some of the best doctors in Chicago. At Eye Level they spent the time and testing to analyze and then recognize the challenges that concerned me.
My husband is equally impressed with Eye Level’s service, expertise and the state of the art equipment. We both are confident that he is with the right doctor to ensure he will not go blind like his Father.
These days there are too many company’s that service you that are about price points generating high volume sales and are far less concerned with quality and the well being of their clients. Dr. Karikomi has an establishment that cares and can make a difference in assurring that you maintain your healthy eyes!

I had a bad experience at Eye Level. I went there because they take VSP, but I ended up giving them more money than any other eye doctor I’ve ever been to, and by the end of my relationship with the place, I still hadn’t received my contact prescription.
I was initially off-​put by the doctor’s failure to fully disclose exactly what types of procedures he’ll be doing and exactly how much they’ll cost. I ended up paying through the nose for procedures I would not have elected to have done. I’m not saying this is dishonest, but I don’t feel like the information was presented to me in a manner that allowed me to make a fully informed choice.
Dealing with the office workers was worse. I had to battle them on several occasions relating to billing practices. For the last appointment I made with the doctor, I requested a quote up front on how much it would cost. (I was done paying exorbitant fees for procedures that did not give me what I needed.) They demurred for about a week. I cancelled my appointment. I won’t be going back.
If you do choose to go to Eye Level, I would recommend that you get them to list every procedure they will do up front, how much it will cost, and how much is covered by insurance. That way you won’t be surprised by the bill like I was.

Dr. Karikomi withheld prescription information when i tried to buy my glasses online. They said it was some measurment not needed for the prescription but something they obviously had on file as i bought one pair of glasses from them.
It is FAR FAR cheaper to get a pair at another, cheaper store and Dr. Karikomi knows it. His entire business model is based on getting people to use their insurance for overpriced frames. I’m sure the margins on those frames drive 70% of his revenue. SO if you’re looking for overpriced frames instead of an eye exam, go to him.
He makes sure you buy, anyway possible. Oh and lie on your contact information because they stalk you.

I’ve been going to Dr. Karikomi’s office for 4 years and I’ve never had any complaints. The staff is SUPER friendly and patient and helpful. They are great about helping you understand you insurance and helping you get the most out of it. Dr. Karikomi himself is a funny, friendly guy who explains everything in a very understandable way. They make use of the latest technology but don’t push expensive tests on you.
Due to their convenient loop location, the prices are probably a little on the higher end, but if you have insurance, they are very affordable.

I love Drs Karikomi and Saxton-​Williams! They have been incredible and the entire staff genuinely cares about their patients. They know exactly the last time I was there and the name of my dog and everything. I was recommended there by my boyfriend, so I thought I’d give it a shot and even though I have to pay a bundle for parking or a cab, they’re incredible and worth every penny!

Wow, what a nice experience. These people are by far the nicest and most enthusiastic crowd I’ve ever encountered working in an eye glasses store /​optometrist office. They do take VSP, which is how I ended up there. I haven’t been to an optometrist in a few years, so I don’t know how common this is but they have a great setup for retinal scans. They take digital images, and Dr. Kirakomi sat down and showed me my images, explained in detail what I was looking at and then showed me some sample images of possible problems and what he was going to look out for in the future.
I went in for glasses, as I’ve been wearing nothing but contacts for ~10 years now and the process was quick and painless. I had my heart set on one pair of frames, but when the technician there looked at my prescription she showed my why it wouldn’t look very good on me, and spent the next 20 minutes showing me examples of other frames and what would best suit my face /​prescription. I was ended up with frames I never would’ve looked at to being with, and was extremely happy I listened to the technicians input.
I will comment, since it’s already been reviewed, that they do a bit of salesmanship here with some products and exams, but after politely declining to purchase or pay for any extras, it was dropped and the subject wasn’t brought up again. I can’t blame them for trying, they’re a business just like any other after all.
Overall I’d highly recommend Eye Level if you’re looking for a new pair of glasses or just need an eye exam.