East Bay Vision Center Optometry, Oakland Chinatown Branch

I really wish I had read the reviews for this place before I picked out my glasses.
I ended up here since it was covered by my insurance. The glasses I found were cute and I already had my most current prescription with me so I didn’t need to go through the exam process.
The big problem for me with this location is that when I asked when I’d receive my glasses, the only response I received was «a few weeks». 2 weeks later I called in and the person on the phone said my order is still being processed. She said she’d get them to rush my lenses no charge and call me in a week with an update.
One week later she calls back saying my glasses are ready for pick up. When I go to pick them up there are terrible scratches on both lenses. I had to take them back and am still waiting to receive them (that was 2 weeks ago).
Most optometrists I’ve worked with in the past are much more clear and get me my glasses in a timely manner with no damages. I’m not sure I’ll be using their service again and I’m pretty sad about.

This place is worth a 5 stars. Dr Lo was thorough and kind and took the time to explain why I had a hard time reading lately. The ladies at the front helped me with the frames. They had many special frame brands. I had to choose between a Tomford and a Dragon and finally chose the latter. My whole family had been coming here for years for eye exam and glasses and I am thankful this place was such a gem for my community.

This comment is for my experience with this place several years ago, even before Unilocal.However, I am still too pissed off against this place after so many years. Hopefully this has been improved. This place was well known of their poor attitude and negative customer service in the Chinese community. I did not believe that at first until I used their service, which is worse than I thought. Their front staffs are rude, and often roll their eyes if you don’t want what they recommend (expensive items). Also, the coating of my lens wore off several months after I got them. I took my glasses to repair and they blamed me for not using it properly, and they will charge me the next I have them repair the glasses. WTF… I feel bad for the optometrist as she is the only polite one in this shitty place… Don’t go to this place unless you want your day ruined.

The staff at the front desk are incompetent fools. I took a day off work to go in on a Monday when no doctors were present. Perhaps someone should have mentioned that. Next, I rescheduled an appointment only to be told they had the original appointment on record. They tried scheduling a new date with me and had the nerve to tell me «don’t forget». Ugh!!!

Set an appointment for an eye exam, and there was one person ahead of me who walked in and was just finishing up so the wait time wasn’t that long. There was no problems, the doctor (fairly old male) was really nice to me and was very clear with his directions on what to do. The young receptionist (jenna or jenny?) helped me with choosing my frames and she was very nice. The older receptionist (fairly old female) gave me her thoughts on which frames to choose with positive feedback. I left there satisfied with nice glasses coming in. Would definitely bring in my other family members WITH an appointment. 5 stars because they’re right near Sweetbooth where you can take your kids to get a good drink right after «the doctors!»

Unethical, unprofessional front desk staff. They charged me $ 50 more for my eyeglass co-​pay than I was supposed to pay. It was only when I got my EOB from the insurance copy did I realize that, and I had to have my insurer intervene in order to get a refund. I also had a contact lens exam and it turned out they charged my insurer for a set of contacts even though I had not finished the fitting process and selected my contacts (again, discovered when I got my EOB). I reported this to my insurer and took my business elsewhere.

I’ve been coming here for 10+ years and for the past few years it’s just been terrible.
Don’t get me wrong though, the doctors here are great 5 stars! Not so much the front staff.
I’ve always had a bad astigmatism and on one occasion, a newer lady helped me and she literally laughed at my prescription because she’s never seen the astigmatism so bad that she had to nudge her coworker next to her and show her how terrible it is. In any case, I’ve already come to terms with my bad vision a LONG time ago, but seriously it was a total turn-​off and completely rude. After she tried to sell me on all the ugly expensive frames. I took my prescription and left to get my lenses at costco instead.
Another instance I needed to get prescription sunglasses for a trip that was next weekend and the lady promised me that they would come in time before my trip. I had the lady confirm MULTIPLE times that they would or else I didn’t want them. Of course– TA-​DA –they weren’t ready. i demanded my deposit back and they said no. Demanded a discount, they knocked off like $ 20 off of $ 350 price tag that was just for my lenses (i brought my own frames) total bullshit.
If you really need to get anything done here and they tell you they can get something done, better get in writing. Such a headache.

Horrible reception. If you’re only going for an exam and not willing to purchase any frame or lenses, I assure you that old lady with short hair and glasses will treat you like a piece of crap, I guarantee it. —(experienced it twice) — I’m never going back there again.

I will never return to this place again. The frames are way too expensive and their selection is extremely limited (especially on ray bans). I should have known to stay away because there was a man complaining during my first visit there. From what I heard of the conversation, he had waited 3 weeks for his frames. He received a call from east bay vision telling him his glasses were ready and even had a voicemail to prove it (he played it out loud). The ladies in the front kept blaming the lab and did not take responsibility. He asked them whether he could be compensated in any way (like a discount) and was rejected. After insurance, which covered $ 105 on frames, I ended up still paying almost $ 300 for my glasses.

Dr. Lieu you are wonderful! Thank you for being so gentle and kind to my eyes and giving me a great experience.

I got a detail eye exams with DR.luo. She is very patient and gave me full answers clearly. She really explained well and smoothed my concern.

This place is totally suck. Waiting 25 minutes to see a doctor on Saturday even with an appointment. Reason: the doctor was having lunch. With a power of –3.75 to –4.25, the doctor said that it was really really bad ??? He exaggerated almost everything even with my dry eyes and my double-​image vision. So what was the point of seeing an optometrist? I had to come back to see another optometrist (Dr. Lo) because my first prescription was too strong. I could get my prescription this time by emailing Dr. Lo (that’s what she said) but I lost her email address. I called in and the cashier asked me to come in person for another checkup!!! At that time, it has been more than one month since my first visit. Ok. I came. The assistant performed the same basic checkup like asking to read with one eye coved. Dr. Lo then came to finalize my prescription. I used up the left-​over allowance to purchase a couple boxed of contact lenses and left without realizing that they still did not have my prescription. The only thing I had was a receipt. Why it was so complicated just to get a prescription? They deserve to have half of star or zero star. I would never come back.

Dr. Lo is a very good Dr. but everything else, so bad…

I’ve been using their service for several years. I like their location, the nice interior looks of the place. I come to have my eyes checked every two years when I may need a new pair of glasses with the frame, though my insurance will allow to change the lens every twelve months if needed through my vision insurance.
After I get a new prescription, I have them print it out and now take that to Costco to have my prescription glasses filled glass progressive at USD 150 + USD 30 for the glare filter option, USD 86 for stainless steel frames with polarized clip-​ons. It’s just a better deal for me at Costco. The other to try would be Walmart for best prices.

I’ve been coming here for many years… very well a decade. My insurance is accepted here and that’s the main reason why I started going here. Even my parents have come here a few times. Dr. Lo is a great optometrist. I admire her work and respect her very much. She has treated me all this time and done very well. I’ve been satisfied as her patient.
However, this is a review of the establishment, not the dr. If I was giving Dr. Lo a review, I’d give her 4 – 5 stars for sure. This is why the 2 stars for EBVCO: The staff here is horrible. Never a smile, never much customer service. A lot of the time it feels like they’re not even sure what they’re doing. The worst part is that 10 out of 10 times, they overbook and I’m sitting there waiting 1+ hours before I’m even seen. Either that or they’re running behind every day. Your 1 hour appointment easily becomes 3+ hours if you’re having your eyes dilated for glaucoma. Now you’re paying $ 7 – 8 for parking since you’ve been there for so long. I find this very annoying and it’s really my own bad that I keep returning here. Same thing every appointment. I’m a very understanding person but it’s difficult to be understanding when this has happened to me so many times.
Once I even asked for the very first possible appt. I get there first thing in the morning, 10 min early… waiting waiting waiting. 40 min. later in walks Dr. Lo. Greaaaaat… so they scheduled me to get here early so I can wait for the Dr. to arrive. Of course, she needs a few min to get settled in, so then I’m still waiting! Bottom line — I don’t appreciate others who don’t respect my time. I show up early and I expect the appointment to be honored when you schedule it. Unprofessional, ineffective, inconsiderate and disregard for others’ time and commitment.
On a side note, the place is totally cluttered and could use some house keeping.
My advice is if you like Dr. Lo, go see her at the Fremont EBVCO. The staff there is 100% better and the shop is newer. Also free parking lot in the same plaza as 99 Ranch Market. I went to Fremont my appointment last year. I came back to the Oakland location this year, hoping things would be better. I think I will go back to the Fremont location and save the stress.

I would give this place a zero star if I could. The staffs were not friendly at all. They all tried so hard to push the sales. I wanted to just order 6 months’ supply for my contact lense, but they recommanded one year and one of the staffs Amy had promised giving me a $ 130 rebate after six months if I got the one year supply. Of course, they did not fulfil their promise. I did not get my rebate. The reason was that my original insurance was ended the next year. I was shock that they used my insurance to do the rebate. What a crap place.
Btw, this place is way over pricecd. If you are looking for contact lense, I highly recommend you to go to costco for contact lense exam and prescription glass exam, it’s much cheaper than East Bay Vision and they would also give you the free sample. Most importantly, with the exam result, you can just order contact lense online, any kinds, such as Fresh look, Acuvue, etc. The price is a much cheaper than East Bay Vision Center.
I was charged $ 700+ for the one year supply (one day disposable) but I found the same product 1 year supply is only $ 450 online.
Every woman works here is only eager getting more commissions. They have no concern of any other things.
I have spent more than $ 2500 at this place for over three years. And now, I am done. But Thank Amy, if it wasn’t her, I would not stop doing business with this place, and I wouldn’t find out there is a way better deal out there on the internet.

I have been going to East Bay Vision for years, because my parents took me there ever since I was a kid. I have been through several optometrists in East Bay Vision, and they have all been rude. One of them was pushing aggressively on my eye when he was trying to wipe off the yellow eye drops he had put in my eyes. The only reason I’m not giving them a 1 star is because one of the optometrists was not completely bad (not too sure if she is even there anymore).
The receptionists are horrible. Every single time I go there to be seen with an appointment, they make me wait at least 30 minutes. Also, when I asked for my records, one of the receptionists did not want to help me and actually shoved the papers towards me when she was done. Another time when I went in to check out the frames, I ask the a woman for help. She told me rudely that she was on her lunch break. I had apologized for interrupting her and quickly asked her when she was going to be available. She glared at me and turned away. I don’t exactly know how to feel about that last one.
These bad ratings do not matter to them, they will not try to improve their services to their customers because they grab all the Chinese customers with limited language skills to go anywhere else. Go elsewhere if you have other options.
Also, the protective layer is peeling off my glasses after a year and a half.

It will be the last time I will wait for the Dr in East Bay Vision. Every time I had an appointment, my wait time is at least 15 – 30 min from my appointment time. Because my trouble vision, the Dr here could not figure out my correct vision that I have been ask to come back five time over month and half. For the pass five appointment, not once I was able to see the Dr on time. One time, they forgot about my paperwork on the desk and made me waited for almost an hour. Today they made me wait for 30 min and I still hadn’t see the Dr or get my contract lens order.

I have to give this place a «WOW»! Unlike the other vision centers I went to, the staff here was friendly, yet professional. I had a comprehensive eye examination and the doctor was absolutely patient with my million questions (I am always curious of everything.) Then I sat down and tried to pick my new frame. As a lot of people say, frame can show your character and is part of the fashion you carry day-​to-​day. That said, I am so picky that I might have pulled close to 50 frames out trying here and there. The staff wasn’t annoyed at all, instead she gave me advices which one do I fit better! I felt welcomed and comfortable throughout the process.
Did I also mention that I only waited 4 days for my new frame with lens and everything? This place is awesome! And you will be even more amazed when you find out the super affordable price given the service you have! I will definitely bring my friends and family to this place!
This place might get crowded at times. but that only means people love it

The biggest gripe I have with them is that they *** DON’T RESPECT MY TIME ***.
Recently, I arrived on time for a 4pm appt. I checked in, was told to wait, and didn’t see the doctor until 4:45. Granted, I got my eyes dilated so I had to wait a bit for that to take full effect. I didn’t get out of there until 6pm. In my book, that’s unacceptable.
I received a call a few days after that appt telling me that my trial contacts are ready for pick up. I go to pick them up a few days later and before they hand them to me, they recheck the prescription.
Turns out they weren’t able to read the doctor’s handwriting, and they weren’t sure if she wrote a «0» or a «5» on my prescription. The lady asks me to come back the next day because my doctor wasn’t in that day so she couldn’t ask her for clarification. «And», she says, «I didn’t know you were coming to pick them up today». Uh, excuse me? I received a call telling me they were ready. If you weren’t sure what the prescription said, then you shouldn’t have called me to pick them up. AND you SURELY shouldn’t have blamed it on me, as if I dropped the ball by not letting them know that I was coming to pick them up.
This isn’t the first time they’ve disrespected my time… at last year’s appt I recall being told by the doctor to come back at a later time to have my eyes dilated, no appt needed since it doesn’t take too much time (aside from me having to wait for the dilation to take effect). So, I show up one day, and am told by the staff that I HAVE to make an appointment and refuses to squeeze me in that day.
Poor communication = waste of my time = bad service.
I’ll be looking for a new optometrist for my next annual appt. I’m taking suggestions.