Great place to get your vision checked and get glasses (though the glasses are a bit expensive but honestly they are expensive everywhere). I really liked their customer service, friendliness of the optometrist and the staff working there. During covid I felt safe, they practice Spain distancing, wear masks and check temps. So glad this place is close to home, will definitely be back and highly recommend for those looking to a pit of glasses or getting your vision checked!:) read more

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I have had great service at Avant Optometry, from the eye exams to the merchandise choice to getting new contacts and eyeglass made. They have a great, high end selection of frames. They have ordered many contact lenses trials for me with lots of patience as I have worked through them. I found that the glasses I've bought there have been very well made and I always got good advice regarding frames that would work well with my prescription. read more

The only reason why I go here is because of the doctor and him having an association with co-workers. I would never recommend the place other than that. The lady that works the front has horrible manners. She really needs to learn some etiquette. Please, teach her how to speak to people. I know just go here for the exam and then take my prescription else where. read more

The sales/customer relations staff are helpful and friendly, and make the process of choosing a new frame easy. The optometrist not so much; I think there are probably easier and quicker places to do an eye test in the area. I found the whole thing a bit confusing with regard to what strength my glasses and contacts were going to be. The selection of glasses frames is pretty high-end (i.e. pricey), but it's Menlo Park I guess. They have great quality brands and some very beautiful frames; Lindberg, Blac etc. Post-sale customer service is also great, they're very helpful and responsive. The best bet would maybe be to bring your prescription in here and do the eye test elsewhere. read more

I have been trying to pin down the right prescription for my transitioning eyes, as I am at that age I need reading glasses and bifocals. My regular doctor is located too far from my workplace so I needed to find a new doctor closer to work. This office fixed my vision issues and I am now able to see!!! (without blurred vision) I am thrilled with my ability to see clearly again. Your eyesight is precious. There is not price for that. read more

Limited selection here, especially for men's glasses. Many styles look outdated for several years. Though prices are high (~$300-500 for frames), limited selection of brand name frames (Prada, Coach, etc.). read more

I came upon Avant Optometry a few years ago when I was looking up VSP providers in the Menlo Park area. Great location for me on Santa Cruz ave and I'm happy they have weekend hours. I've ordered contacts and glasses from here and while not cheap by any means, both Dr Lau and Dr Yau are extremely friendly and helpful and genuinely seem interested in their patients. read more

Avant Optometry - Optometrists Near Me - Menlo Park, California

My son and I had excellent experiences with Avant optometry. They took good care of us during our eye exams and the glasses selection was just what we needed! They did not pressure us into purchasing frames from their store, but we are happy we did because both pairs turned out perfect. My in-laws also got their glasses here and like them, too :) thanks for being an awesome family run local business, Avant! read more

Picked this place since their in my VSP provider and the comments looked good. Since most of the review said that Dr. Yau was good, I asked to book an appointment with her but the person over the phone said she didn't haven any openings so I was scheduled with her husband, Dr. Lau. I had my routine eye exam done there, everything except getting my eyes dilated. I was there to get my exam done and possibly get new contacts. They said that they'd order me a pair of contacts according to that day's findings and if the prescription worked out, then those would be my pair of contacts. So I came back to pick up the new contacts and paid the costs for the contacts as well as routine eye exam. The total cost was ~$200 (it would have been over $600 without VSP) and was way too much for me. I couldn't believe how much it was so Dr. Yau sat down with me and itemized everything for me. When I came back a week later for Dr. Lau to assess my vision with the new contacts, they told me they had already ordered contacts for me (which I don't know why they would since at that time, they didn't know if the trial contacts were the right fit for me). I was not willing to pay such a steep price for contacts so they were nice enough to cancel the order. All through this, I ended up dealing with Dr. Yau and although the finances and miscommunication wasn't fun to deal with, she was extremely pleasant and helpful. Two stars mostly for the high price (a pair of contacts should not be that expensive). read more

I'd had a good experience with Dr. Helen Yau about 5 years ago and decided to go back to take advantage of some insurance timing. I was surprised to read the bad reviews but I went anyway. Dr Yau was great, thorough, meticulous, professional. They had a good selection of lenses and with insurance it was a fair price. I might have saved a few bucks going to Costco, which is where I've gotten multi pack reading glasses in the past, but I wanted an optometrist who I liked and trusted. If you want to small town, comfortable setting with quality service, this is a great place to go. read more

I went to see Dr. Lau probably in 2 occasions, both for prescription for my contact lens. Both times, it took multiple visits and trying different lenses for a week each time to get it right. So each visit it took me several weeks to get the right prescriptions. After getting them twice, I decided to look at another optometry, which they were able to get it right the first visit and one week or so trial. On the other hand, the other doctor is nice although I have never worked with her...... read more

I found Avant through Yelp and was very pleased with the service. Dr. Lau is extremely down to earth and very easy to speak to. I visited the office 3 times to ensure the prescription, fit, etc was right. I recommend taking the time to understand your issues rather than expecting to get a quick fix. Both doctors were great. I will continue to use their service. read more

Avant was recommended by several unrelated people and after going there (appointment was available in just a couple of days after calling) I totally agree with another review: Dr Stephen Lau is very friendly and easy to talk to, explains everything well, seemed to have done everything thoroughly and (main issue with doctors nowadays) he did NOT rush - took as much time as was necessary to find the best new prescription for me. Their selection of frames is rather limited though and I am taking my prescription elsewhere to find a frame. read more

I wear bifocal contacts, have been wearing them for 10+ years. Every year when I go to get my eyes checked, it has been hard to nail down the exact prescription. The optometrists I was seeing before just could not get it right. Headaches, blurry vision, it was not going well. Yesterday I went to Avant. Why did I wait so long? One visit, excellent treatment, and this is the first time I have come away with the right contacts after the first visit. You would be silly to go anywhere else, these guys are awesome. read more

Just like O M below, I picked this place because it was close. I will not be returning, and I'd advise others not take the chance either. First, the cost was extraordinary. Not only were the glasses several hundred dollars over my VSP, they also charged me $45 for a "contacts eye exam." I was never told there would be an extra charge and all they offered was, "well, you should have been told about it when you made your appointment." No, I was not. Secondly, Dr Lau was brusk, with not a smile during my visit. I don't expect much, but at least don't make me feel like my presence is *annoying* you. And when other reviews say "a few bucks more", try a few hundred more. read more

Bought a pair of Gucci prescription sunglasses. Second time I went in there they treated me weird.

I love Avant. I've gotten my prescription done here and I also just recently bought sunglasses - the staff is completely helpful, really nice and Dr. Lau is awesome. read more

I have two young sons, and it seems that they are drawn to my glasses, which they have bent out of shape several times. Each time I think they are toast and I'm going to have to replace them, but I take them into Avant and they always seem to make them like new again, and for NO CHARGE! You're NEVER going to get that type of service from a large chain store! Thanks Avant! read more

Great service from personable staff with choosing frames from a wide selection, and getting opinions on how they look, with no pressure to buy (in fact I finally bought my frames somewhere else.) I've also taken my sunglasses in for adjusting and they spent so much time, meticulously and happily adjusting them until they fit perfectly. read more

Walked in asking if they could help repair a pair of sunglasses, which they did with a smile and no charge. Service with a smile!

I went in for an eye exam and prescription for reading glasses. While the exam was ok, except for the usual upsell attempts by the optician to be performed with extra equipment that is not covered by insurance. The optician completely lost interest in even answering simple coverage questions and the various options for lenses when he heard that I would have to come back to place the order due to time constraints on the day of the exam. Selection of frames was very small, and very little interest and competence of the staff to assist. I will take my prescription elsewhere and not return here in the future. Not recommended. read more

I have been seeing them now for five years and look forward to continue seeing in the future. As uncomfortable as I am about getting my eyes checked, they always put my worries at ease and answer any and all of my many questions. Not only they are awesome doctors, they are also the best at helping me find the perfect style frame to fit me. I've yet to have a pair of glasses that I didn't love. read more

Dr. Yau personally helped me pick out a new pair of glasses almost 10 years ago, and I have been coming back to her and Dr. Lau's care ever since. They are both very kind and personable, and their staff is always helpful and professional. I moved down to the South Bay a few years ago, but I happily make the drive back to Menlo Park for my yearly exams. read more

Horrible experience.. I went to pick up my prescription glasses, to find that I had been tricked by the fact that these were the frames that had been display. I would appreciate more honesty. Second issue, the frames were misaligned. I asked Helen for help, she was unable to help adjust these (on 3 different occasions) I wonder if I am the only person that has encounter this problem. Sounds like I paid for new frames but given the ones on display. Not the same!! Quite difficult to trust a place you've been tricked by. read more

Stay away from this place... Picked this optometrist due to being closest to home and accepting VSP. Scheduled an appointment with Helen Yau for eye exam and glasses. Compared to Sears Optical I had visited previous years, service was inferior. Eye exam was way off. Spent few hunded $s on top of VSP for progressive glasses, which is not useful at all. Helen Y. was particularly rude during refitting of glasses. Never heard any optician ordering patient to put the hands down in a rude way I have ever experienced in my life. She almost rushed the session to a finish as soon as possible. I got the impression that this person has established her business with her husband in a key location and individual customer care and retention is not of much concern. This year, I will have to re-examined for the same progressive glasses and throw away the one given by Helen Y. let alone the discomfort I went through all year. Extremely unsatisfied and thinking to bring the subject to VSP and Better Business Bureau. read more

Both Dr. Laus (husband and wife) were very friendly and answered all my questions. I really liked that she helped me pick glasses frames that actually looked good on me instead of the usual 'yeah that looks good' response I get from other optometrists. They are a bit expensive, but hey this is menlo park...Quick too! I went in on a Tuesday and glasses were ready by Friday. read more

It's so nice to have an optometrist you can trust, right in your home town. I like that they take VSP, and Dr. Lau is very helpful and knowledgeable and you don't feel rushed! The last place I went had gotten my prescription wrong...Dr. Lau has done a great job of getting it just right. read more

Avant Optometry is really good for finding small frames (47 mm) that fit narrow-faced adults like myself. The only other place in the area I've had luck with finding small frames is Peninsula Optical Company in Palo Alto, but that store is not as insurance-friendly. read more

I love Avant. My husband and I have been coming here for many years and have always had great service and gotten products (contacts, glasses) very quickly. Everyone that works here is super helpful and friendly. I highly recommend Avant :) read more

Avant's store front caught my eye walking down Santa Cruz Avenue. Dr. Lau and Dr. Yau made me feel extremely comfortable when I came in to browse and I wound up leaving with a nice new pair of sunglasses. Since then, I've been back many times for eye exams and new frames and always enjoy the great service and large selection of frames. I really like their honesty in helping me choose styles that look good on me. read more

My wife and 2 kids have been going to Avant Optometry for many many years. Both Dr Stephen Lau and Dr Helen Yau (husband and wife) are great! They are very friendly and give you a lot of time to answer questions and do the tests thoroughly. My family is on the VSP Vision plan which they accept. I have been so pleased with their service that I have brought in my Mom and my Mom-in-Law for check ups even though both of them did not have vision insurance plans. Avant was very reasonable. I recommend them to everyone I know. read more

This business refused to facilitate my reorder of contacts via 1-800 contacts. They claimed they would need to check out the "health of my eye" before allowing me to reorder through 1-800 contacts. I just called my doctor before them and he authorized the sale. read more

I have been a client for over 8 years and the expertise and customer service have kept me loyal. I have been seen by both doctors, and I always feel like they take the time to ensure that my needs are met (no easy task with my vision changing as I head into my 50's!). Dr. Yau is amazing at helping to select frames (and they have a wide selection of cool frames) - I have had strangers come up to compliment me on my glasses! My glasses are not cheap, but for something I wear every day, they absolutely must be comfortable, functional and the bonus is that they look awesome! In my opinion, totally worth every penny. I totally recommend Avant - you should go and you will be happy that you did! read more

I've been taking the whole family here since 2006. The office is friendly and professional and very convenient. I highly recommend.