Mill Valley Optometry

My eyeballs are finicky, as is my brain. In my first visit with him, Dr. Kaplan was EXTRAORDINARILY helpful. I live in SF and he’s worth the drive. He tweaked and tweaked until we got both my glasses and my contacts right.

I am writing this review of my experiences with Dr. Kaplan and my challenges with vision issues. I have had undiagnosed learning problems my entire life. I wore glasses as a child and could not read more than a sentence without eye strain. I did vision therapy as a young child and my reading speed and visual comprehension greatly improved, but I have always been a challenged learner. I decided not to attend college directly out of high school partially because of my learning difficulties.
Several years ago, after deciding to return to school to pursue my Bachelors, I was introduced to the idea of needing prism in my glasses for reading. The Optometrist I saw could not understand why my eyes still hurt, even though the prescription was technically correct. The optometrist decided to test me with a small amount of prism. This took away the eye strain. The second Optometrist told me I did not have enough rods and cones, and that was the reason I could not read fast.
Several years ago, my mother asked me to have my then 7-​year-​old daughter checked by a developmental optometrist for eye problems. My daughter had also been a challenged learner and was diagnosed by mom at age five as autistic/​high functioning. I contacted the office in Petaluma, where my old therapist had worked out of, and found Dr. Kaplan. After speaking with Dr. Kaplan over the phone, I decided to also get checked for prism myself. I found Dr. Kaplan to be the epitome of a care provider. Calm, caring, and really listened to the patient. I discovered, after getting a new prescription for reading glasses, that my reading ability improved immensely. I went from only being able to read a paragraph a day, to reading seventy plus pages a night of my assigned school work. Years ago, I could only read one paragraph a night of Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. I thought I was just having a hard time digesting the material. Now, with my glasses having prism in them, I can read a Tom Clancy novel in a few days.
My new found reading speed opened the possibilities of my educational level. At that time I was still trying to figure out what my Bachelor’s degree was going to be in. I finally settled on my love of securities trading. Since I was now able to keep up with the required reading, and go further, I decided to look at the Masters level as well. I found a Master’s program, which I fell in love with, before transferring for my Bachelors.
I am currently in the final two classes of my Bachelors of Art in Business Management. I should graduate Magna Cum Laude this August. I have already been admitted to the Masters Program for an MS in Finance. I am finding that the only limit to my reading speed is my brains ability to process the information.
What did it for me was finally recognizing the signals my body was giving me and finding an optometrist who was willing to listen and experiment.
By the way, Dr. Kaplan has prism in his glasses and the office manager of Petaluma Eye Care, where Dr. Kaplan also works, Barbara Shea, uses prism in her’s.
Going to that office is like finally dealing with people who get you.
Thank you very much Dr. Kaplan and Petaluma Eye Care.
Ariyeh Schmeder

Dr. Kaplan is a totally dedicated professional. He saw me on a Saturday as I had destroyed a gas perm lens and could not see out of my left eye. He got me into a «loaner lens» that worked until the replacement came in. I was not even a regular patient but I am now, because he is so caring, took the time to examine my eyes thorougly, and produced a spectacular fitting lens, maybe the best, most comfortable fitting lens I have had in 4 decades plus of lenses. He also made some suggestions on how to restore my enjoyment of reading, of doing close and computer work, and exhibited the most positive and caring approach to getting me the best vision I can have! What a guy! If you care about the health of your eyes and seeing the best you can possibly see, go see Dr. Kaplan. You will leave the visit on the road to better vision, and with great understanding of your eyes, how they work or not, following incredibly enlightening discussion with Dr. Kaplan. Thorough, professional, caring, willing to work with you at a reasonable cost for the services – Kaplan’s your guy for eyes!

I was very pleased with my visit with Dr. Kaplan at Mill Valley Optometry. After many years of wearing glasses, I decided to switch to contact lenses. After an eye exam, Dr. Kaplan worked extensively with me over a couple of visits to find the right brand and prescription of contact lenses for me.
I was very pleased with the level of professionalism and the time that Dr. Kaplan spent with me. After 15 years of wearing glasses, I am now a happy contact lens wearer and am seeing better than ever.

I want to echo the shady feeling that others have gotten here. I have only been to this place twice, and the second time I decided to leave before they charged me any more money. When I showed up for my first appointment, the place was locked and no one was there. Being late for work? Come on. And I agree with others who have felt like they have not gotten straight answers. There are plenty of optometrists around, I won’t be back.

If you are looking for some quick, cheap, wham-​bam eye exam, go to LensCrafters, but if you have specific concerns or want a thorough exam with a real diagnosis, then you can’t do better than Dr. Eliot Kaplan.
I had Lasik eye surgery about a decade ago and recently noticed what I thought was one eye weakening. After a series of specialized tests, Dr. Kaplan determined that my brain has adjusted to viewing longer distance (far-​sighted) with one eye while the other has adapted to near-​sighted reading, etc. He offered me options for attempting to re-​train the far-​sighted eye to see near and vice versa or glasses if I didn’t want to be bothered. He gave me options! LensCrafters would never have spent the time and effort even if they had someone as knowledgable as Dr. Kaplan. They just stick you in front of the machine, given you the whole «which is better? one or two?» and send you on your way. Dr. Kaplan, on the other hand, really cares. He spent a lot of time trying to decipher my issue and for that I am grateful.
Dr. Kaplan has a quirky manner that verges on «eye-​nerd» and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The man is dedicated to the job of getting you the best possible fit for glasses or contacts and helping you in whatever way he can.
My husband can testify to this as he also had Lasik surgery a decade ago (preformed by one of the top doctors in NYC), but unlike my flawless results, his were disastrous. His eye with «better» vision ended up having keratoconus and as a result, eye doctor after eye doctor said he would never be able to wear contacts again. For many years he tried to fight it and suffered with oversized hard lenses when physical activity would not permit glasses. After moving to Marin, we heard about Dr. Kaplan and together they tried several different soft lenses. It took a while, but if one failed to be comfortable, Dr. Kaplan would research the latest, best new materials, shapes, sizes etc. until they found contacts that worked for my husband. My husband can finally comfortably now wear contacts which allows him to mountain bike, work-​out, etc. without having to wear glasses.
I also took my daughter to him when I wanted to know if she had any learning issues because some of them can be detected early via specialized eye tests.
So, as I said above, if you want the fast food of eye care, go elsewhere, but if your vision requires better care, something more than just a quick once over, Dr. Kaplan is the man. He is thorough and knowledgable and he really cares about the profession and about finding the right diagnosis for you.

Elliot has been my optometrist for over 10 years. He’s a great guy, very genuine, and sensitive to your eye care needs. He never comes across as a pushy salesman at all. I have very simple eye care needs and he works with that well. In fact, I’m the happiest that I have ever been with my contacts. No problems at all! I worked with his office manager on glasses and she helped me pick something out that I was comfortable with style-​wise, and at a good price too! Not an easy task for me.

Eliot Kaplan is a 5 star optomologist, but I’ve heard from others that 5 star reviews are taken down from this site, so here is my three star review. He is SO VERY patient and will take as much time as necessary to get the right fit. In my case it was a long process as I went from hard to soft contacts.

If there was ever a business that warranted the time and effort for a positive review, it is Mill Valley Optometry. Dr Kaplan, Marina and David are warm and friendly, kind and supportive no matter how busy they are at the moment. I always left feeling like I made the right choice… even if the choice was no new glasses just yet. I never felt pressured to buy something out of my budget. Whenever I had trouble with a pair of glasses, I was never made to feel uncomfortable. The staff took care of the problem swiftly and made everything just right. I would never get my glasses anywhere else

Dr. Eliot Kaplan and Marina are very friendly, helpful, and professional.
On two separate occasions they went out of their way to help me with my eye concerns.
I am grateful.
They also have descent selection of frames.
I recommend them.
–Jabba.

Shady!!! Beware!!! I have never felt comfortable with this Dr. or this office and my recent experiences confirms this suspicion. Each time I have seen Dr. Kaplan, I’ve left feeling uncomfortable and confused. He routinely obfuscates when you ask him direct questions about the exam, the exam process and especially billing.
As suspected, today when my husband went to pick up my prescription, he left with a $ 215 bill (with only one pair of contacts — not a full supply), AND WE HAVE INSURANCE! When I called to inquire what these charges were for, he talked in circles, couldn’t soundly explain what the charges were for (he hadn’t provided us with a proper bill either — just a register receipt), was rude and cut me off several times — trying repeatedly to put words in my mouth. Utterly unprofessional. I have never had dealings like this with any other medical professional. He should be ashamed.
I wish I would have read these other reviews from other patients who have obviously had similar experiences. I would have never seen him. I look forward to finding someone else ASAP.
DON“T GO! You’ve been warned…

My thanks to Eliot and Marina both for good eyecare advice, a thorough exam, and ocular therapy to help with a dizziness problem. We have known them for years now and find them to be authentic, honest and kind. I only wish they had limited hours on Saturday for picking up and dropping off glasses as it can be hard to schedule during normal working hours.

Elliot Kaplan is a treasure. He has a keen mind for diagnosis, and introduced us to vision therapy. He’s great with kids, and treats all his patients with respect and compassion. Even if you just need a pair of contacts, go see him; you’ll learn a lot in the process.

I needed new contacts but was very low on money, so when I made my appointment to get my yearly prescription I very specifically mentioned that it was for contact lenses and double checked the exact amount of money I would need to bring. Twice.
Lo and behold after my appointment I am told the charge is more than the secretary had told me over the phone. I was humiliated because I had brought only the exact amount, that I had double checked I would need and did not have more to cover it. Nobody apologized, but instead acted like it was my mistake and I probably didn’t specify that it was a contact lens appointment when I asked. Which I did. To avoid this exact situation.
9 months later I had to argue with them when I wanted to order a couple more boxes, because they wanted to force me to come in for another prescription as soon as it ran out. (My prescription hasn’t changed in 10 years, but contact lens prescriptions are only valid for a year.)
I got so fed up with them that I went down there and demanded a copy of my (still valid) prescription so that I could take it to another optometrist, because even though they had (begrudgingly) finally agreed to order me a couple more boxes, I didn’t want to give them any more of my money.
The woman behind the desk – the same one who had misquoted me originally – kept trying to write out my prescription on a piece of scratch paper instead of giving me a copy of the one the doctor had written up that I could actually use elsewhere.
Crap people all the way around. Regret ever walking in there.

Not big on these guys. They seem more like salesmen/​women for glasses than optometrists with your best interest in mind.

I’ve had two really great experiences here. Both my husband and I get our prescriptions from MV optometry. Dr. Waters is really kind and took her time to explain why I was having itchy eyes (incidentally, not allergies after all– damn you acuvues!). Dr. Kaplan was helpful when I called completely frantic over having ripped my last pair of contacts. He was very gracious over the phone. I’d completely recommend MV Optometry– totally comprehensive eye exams and really personable service! :)

so i’ve been wearing glasses and/​or contacts since i was ten. usually i’m a quickie lenscrafters girl or whatever gets the job done without too much hassle. but i had started getting headaches and decided its time to breakin the insurance and maybe hit up a real doctor. i had strategically asked for a day off with an upcoming south swell and thought i’d get the peepers sorted too. so my insurance gives me a list, i started calling said list, no one can fit me until i call mv optometry. things started out fine and the reason they are getting one star is because they fit me and i believe kaplan knew what he was doing. but they’re greedy and its bad. i felt pressured into buying glasses, contacts and they wanted an additional appointment (not covered by insurance mind you). my contact lens prescription changed and old doc just took my box of unopened contacts with a «you won’t be needing these anymore» flourish with out giving me credit for the new ones I ordered. which i wasn’t even consulted on, they were just ordered. it was pretty slick, the whole shakedown. a couple hours later i was like, what just happened here? i’ll never go back and suggest if you take the plunge, be aware, very aware.