Outstanding team there! Laura had me all set up and all my benefits pulled for me! I had so much fun creating my own frame with Shelby. Who knew you could customize your own frame, so cool! I loved not having to be dilated (who likes that) and having the option for a photo instead. They take my insurance too which was a huge plus! Dr. Denton is so kind and really helped me understand some of the things I had going on with my eyes. If you haven't been here yet, you're missing out. 10/10 will go again. read more

This has become my go-to place for eye exams and new contacts. The staff is always friendly and as others have mentioned Dr. Nancy Denton has always been super-nice. Eye exams don't bother me but if you're not a fan then she'll probably do a great job of putting you at ease. Years ago I was a bit annoyed at the high price I paid for a pair of glasses but more than half a decade later those same lenses and frames are still serving me well so I guess I paid for quality. The office has a dog who's adorable as well. read more

Very pleased with the level of quality and professionalism. My 95 year old mother got her glasses replaced here, and they were very patient with her, and she was very pleased with her new specs. But what really took them to 5 stars, was when I called in on Monday to make a annual appointment. I described how my mom was complaining of a dark area in her vision, Laura the receptionist stopped me and said I should immediately get her to a retinal specialist. The next day the opthamoligist examined mom and pronounced her vision as fine, and merely a symptom of her advanced age. I really appreciated Laura looking out for mom, and going several steps beyond her job. read more

Made an appointment here after a previous disappointing experience at MyEyeDoctor. Even though there's no online scheduler, the appointment process was simple enough and I was scheduled within a reasonable amount of time. During check-in I had to fill out my own appointment reminder card, which felt like pre-filling out an address on a thank you note envelope at a tacky baby shower (learn mail merge). I wasn't kept in the waiting room long before I was called for my appointment. I was very pleased with the exam performed by Dr. Denton who was very personable and thorough. She asked all the appropriate questions and seemed intent on giving me the best vision possible. The problem began which Dr. Denton dropped me off in the optical center, which felt like exiting through the gift shop at Disney World. Before I knew what was happening, the optician was trying to get my signature on an order for a year's worth of contacts that I don't need and would never use (she never asked any questions about my needs/expectations or why I was there). She seemed miffed when I called her off the contact order telling her I didn't need a year's supply. Next, she started doing some calculations and telling me about some rebate my insurance was offering and about all the money I could save if I spent x on glasses. I told her I wasn't interested in new glasses so she tried to tell me I needed them because my prescription had changed even though the change was so slight that Dr. Denton had given me the option of whether it should be increased. By this time, my bamboozle radar was triggered so I basically got out of there as quickly as I could so that the optician wasn't able to fleece me out of money and self-respect. I went to pick up my prescription a few weeks later prepared for more high-pressure sales tactics and appreciate that the pickup was a pretty easy process. The three stars is for the doctor and the dog. I'd recommend this place for anyone who needs an exam but warn them about the ending. read more

I've been going here for many years, and have gotten several pairs of glasses from them. I can understand where many of the negative reviewers are coming from, but some of the reviewers seem to have unrealistic expectations. This is not a place where you should go if price is your main criteria for happiness with eye glasses. Like many retail products and services, e.g, furniture and health care, it's very difficult to compare prices among different establishments. However, I'm sure you could get better prices at a Walmart or similar store, But it is unlikely they would spend the time fitting your lenses and frames correctly. Surprised by comments about rude staff. They have had the same four people working there for some time, and they have always been very pleasant when I have been there. I agree that Nancy, the Optometrist, has an excellent "chair-side" manner. read more

This place was wonderful! I have no eye doctor as I have never needed one, until I got something in my eye yesterday. I was able to get an appointment the same day I called even though I had never been there before. They were very accommodating and the doctor was very thorough to make sure nothing else was wrong with my eye. read more

So I am torn on my review here. The staff was friendly and the doctor was good. That is what gave them 2 stars instead of 1. Most people I told this story to (in detail) said to file a complaint with the better business bureau . I refuse to do that because it is partially my fault for falling for it and/or not asking enough questions. I've never had to wear glasses before and this was an entirely new experience for me. I walked into their office (which is nice by the way). I was examined by the doctor and she was very nice and extremely professional. She told me I needed glasses which I was expecting to be the answer. Right after they told me I needed glasses they walked me into their show room and told me to take a seat. They told me that someone will help me find glasses. I never realized there were options to where you can buy glasses (this was my own fault for not knowing or asking, but I suspected that you just buy them right after you get your eyes checked out). Most people told me that they should've informed me that I had the option to get a prescription and go elsewhere. The lady who helps people buy glasses came over to help me after a couple minutes. She took a look at me and told me to hold on one second. She turned around searching the shelves and pulled two frames down and handed them to me. She told me to try the two frames on and tell her which one I liked better. Both frames had the same shape and size to them, but one was noticeably sturdier. I naturally told her that frame was better. She took the one I dismissed away and left me with the one I liked. She asked me if I wanted to purchase the ones I tried on. I looked at them and happened to notice an expensive name brand. I told her that I barely need the glasses and they were only really for driving. I said I was a little weary getting a name brand pair when I wouldn't wear them often. She understood and walked back to the shelf and brought two more frames. She asked me to try them on with the original and say which one I like best. Naturally the named brand ones still felt the best. She told me that I seemed to like those best and they were probably the ones I should get. At this point, I asked if I could browse the frames they had available. She informed me that I could not. She said there was no structure to where frames are put so they are just randomly thrown on the shelves in piles and it would be impossible for me to really figure out which gender or frames would fit best without trying them all on. I felt that was a little unorganized of them but I also didn't want to spend forever in the doctor's office. I decided to ask her how much the frames cost. At this point she broke out pen, paper, and a calculator. She was looking things up in a book and continued down the path. She spent about 30 minutes calculating things out and gave me a price. I looked at her telling her the price was just too high for me and I wanted something cheaper. I asked her if there was a way I can look at the prices of all the frames. She told me that I could not because none of them were marked and she would have to look everything up. I asked her if she had to repeat the same process (that took 30 freaking minutes) for each pair of frames I wanted to check the price on. She told me that yes it would take that long. At this point I realized they do not have their stuff together, but at the same time I was still under the impression I had to buy my glasses from there. Since I didn't want to spend the next few hours in there I decided to ask her what was the average price of frames. She told me the average price was like $300-$350 for frames and the ones I were looking at were about $400. At that point I was tired and worn and I decided that $50 more for a pair of frames that were substantially better than the rest she had me tried on were worth it. I didn't really want to spend that kind of money, but I also really didn't have a choice. I decided to buy those frames. I placed my purchase order and left pissed at the cost. After telling my story to someone they informed me I could've gone somewhere else and that I was essentially ripped off. I called up the doctors office first thing the next morning (they were closed when I was informed I was ripped off). I asked if I could cancel my glasses order. They told me yes, but since they already placed the order I would have to pay half the cost of the total glasses to cancel. At that point, paying half wouldn't be covered under insurance and it was a lot of money. In the end, I'm glad I had what the industry would consider "THE BEST" vision plan and a secondary vision plan that was considered in the top 5 (yeah my job hooked me up with benefits). In the end after both insurances paying off a chunk I still had to pay $300 out of pocket. On a side note I also found those same exact frames for $150 online read more

I am finally getting around to reviewing this place. I received an eye exam and purchased a pair of glasses from this business back in late February 2015. I usually go to Lenscrafters, but somewhere I read that Columbia Eye Associates were voted Best Eye Care in Howard County so I decided to try a new provider. And in fact, the optometrist was great! She was friendly and gave me a thorough eye examination. I would ONLY recommend going here for an eye exam. You will find a much better selection, service and prices going elsewhere to purchase your glasses and/or contacts! Now I ignored all the red flags and left my business sense at home when I was purchasing glasses here! I assumed this business operated like the larger businesses and they absolutely do not! Lesson learned and I will return back to Lenscrafters. This is why I do not recommend this place. Let's see: First, I ignored the fact that I had to sign a waiver before shopping for glasses. I barely read the waiver and if I had I would have chosen not to purchase my glasses here due to their return policy. This is the business sense I mentioned earlier that I left at home. Also I ignored that the glasses for sale had no price tag. At all. Not even taped on the inside. So she pulled a number from the top of her head for the frame I selected and started calculating my total based on my insurance discounts using a calculator, a piece of paper, and a pen. That was my first cue to leave. I ignored that. Sooo let's just say this is the biggest bill I have ever received for a pair glasses, and I've been wearing glasses since I was a kid. Second, I learned that going to a small business is not like shopping for glasses at the larger retailers. I came in to pick up my glasses, and instantly did not like them. I was told in a very unfriendly manner from the owner and employee that they do not issue full refunds on glasses, the offer was 25% back max. When I say unfriendly, I do mean unfriendly. So go with the big chains letting you return glasses for a full refund with no questions asked after 90 days... that clearly is the better deal. Last but not least, I was disatisfied with service. It took over two weeks to receive my glasses! With other business offering glasses in an hour to a week max... to me anything over a week is unacceptable. I was not called for a status update, so maybe that is their normal timeframe. But really.... aint nobody got time to wait two weeks for glasses in last years styles at that! And on top of that, the lens order was wrong! *blank stare* They did let me change the frame once, to their credit. So I waited another two weeks, and the lens order was still incorrect. *falls out* I really wanted a refund because I was very unsatisfied with these glasses, but as I stated earlier 25% was all that was offered... in an unfriendly manner. As a customer, I know they could have handled me better but I wear big girl panties everywhere I go so my expectations aren't too high. However, I don't do rude... I know all I can do is just take my business elsewhere. So I would recommend the optometrist, which is really the only reason this business received two stars. I removed one star for slow service; removed another star for off the wall pricing and additional unnecessary fees; and removed a third star for the waiver that I signed and never received a copy of. I do not see how they ranked so well because I did not have a good experience here. I would not recommend bringing your business here or purchasing glasses here, as you will have better selection and pricing at the larger retailers. read more

This place is ridiculously expensive for no added value. Save your time and money and go to Costco for an eye exam which would end up being cheaper! To top it off, they messed up my prescription so I had to pay more money for an eye exam elsewhere anyway! read more

I have been here twice before and both times I felt like I did overpay but I didn't really think too much into it. In Dec 2012, got fitted for contact lenses but after the eye exam, there was such pressure into buying glasses and glasses (I said I would wait to buy glasses but was really pressured into upgrading the lenses with the same frames instead), I walked away spending a little less than $500 for glasses and contacts). I tried to call back later that day and my husband did too to cancel the order for the lenses placed just hours before (maybe even less than) and of course it was no. Explanation about how people don't understand their insurance plans, etc followed, and we weren't able To cancel it. I was very dissatisfied so I waited to make an appointment 1.5 years later, when I was in desperate need of contacts and I felt like I made that $500 worth it. I also called to make sure I wasn't obligated to purchase any contacts or glasses after the appointment and could just grab the prescription since it's way too expensive here. I came back because it was convenient for me to just go somewhere familiar and no one was ever outright rude at the time. FAST FOWARD, I had an appointment at 10:30 on a rainy day. I left the time I usually would to be on time and a little earlier, however rain made it take a little longer. When I walked in, I was immediately told by the secretary, that I was 10 minutes late so I can't be seen and I have to be rescheduled. If that's their policy fine, but what I'm most upset about was the secretary's rudeness. I work in customer service and healthcare and there is always a way to be polite. It was almost like a blame game..."you were late 10 minutes so we can't see you. We have to reschedule were on a tight schedule". ..no sympathy or empathy. Just saying this all with a I don't care look on her face. They could care less that this makes things difficult for the client too, more so than them. I understand policies which is why I didn't argue or fuss, but there could be a vast improvement on mannerisms, customer service and interacting with clients. I came back despite how much money everything was and buying pressure....but because of this very stressful and rude interaction, I will not be returning. read more

I recently received a "just a friendly reminder, it's time for your examination" card from this office which prompted this review. I wish I would have read these reviews before making an appointment. I'm embarrassed to say it but... I got bamboozled! Nancy the OD was very nice and I had a good experience during the exam, gentle and painless, so the one star. The sneaky sales tactics though, shameful! Like another reviewer, I was somewhat confused when I was ushered upstairs by Nice Nancy in the middle of my exam (while my eyes were dilating) to pick out frames. Did you get that? While my eyes were dilating!! I was sat down in front of a sales person to pick out frames! Why I let this happen I do not understand, but I did. The sales person and the owner were both picking out frames for me to try on but there was no pricing on the frames. I kept asking about the prices of the frames and they just ignored me. I ended up selecting three different frames (driving, reading, sunglasses) and the price was tallied taking into account my prescription. I received 50% off for the first pair of glasses (insurance) and the other two were at full price. I was shocked by the cost and said that I could only afford one pair, and chose the driving. Silence from the sales person, it was uncomfortable. I then returned to the OD who finished my eye exam. After the exam, I was again approached by the sales person who said that if I purchased the other two pair of glasses that she would give me 50% off!! So instead of $2,000, I could get the other two for $1,000. I felt like I was at a used car dealership. I said no and the pressure continued. If I just bought one pair of glasses, I could get 50% off. I succumbed...To top it off, when I got home, I realized that I was not given a copy of my prescription. I requested a copy of my prescription when I returned to pick up my glasses. I was reluctantly given one. It was a very odd experience. Needless to say, thanks for the reminder, but I won't be calling the office for my next eye exam. read more

Dr Denton was very friendly and even though my appointment was the last one, she took her time and was very thorough and didn't rush. Jean was super helpful in getting me the best pair of glasses, and a week later I have to say I was very happy with my new specs! read more

This place is over charged. The owner wouldn't let me see the receipt, even not the copy. And I took two eye exams to confirm they gave me the right glasses, but still, not as good as my old ones. They even claim that one eye on my old glass was over corrected, which is not true. I will definitely not recommend this place to my friends. read more

I have been going to Columbia Eye Associates for 10 plus years. I would never go anywhere else for my exam,glasses or contact lenses. I totally agree with the other review about Yelp and how they remove the good reviews unless you call them out. The staff at Columbia Eye Associates have been the same since I started going to them; they are always helpful and their prices are consistent with other places. I can't say enough great things about Columbia Eye Associates. Don't hesitate to come to this office, I send everyone I know to them, and no one has been disappointed. I give them a 10! read more

The doctor was fine (lady doctor). The woman in the front was pushy trying to sell her glasses. when I asked for prescription, she wrote it in a hurry and was not clear to the optician. Would not go back again, because the lady in the front made me uncomfortable. read more

I wish I could give it LESS than a one star rating because I'm very disappointed. I made a Yelp account JUST to write a review about the rude behavior of the receptionist and Jean Trinkaus, who owned the CEA. First of all, I called in to make an appointment and the lady wasn't paying attention and got the names wrong and when we go there for the appointment they make us wait for one hour and twenty minutes. After waiting for that much time they served the customers who came after us and when we asked her why? she said that our appointment was at 7:30 even though we made an appointment for 6:30. She could have said that earlier before making us wait for that much time. After that we went upstairs to cancel our order for contact lenses because we found out that the price was almost double than the price online for the same brand and then Jean Trinkaus barked like a german Shepard and said "I will NOT cancel it. You can do whatever you want." She yelled at me and told me that we would have to pay for the lenses no matter what. She also told me that she was doing me a FAVOR and I should be thankful - haha right One more thing, she insulted me by saying "I won't do it. You can leave. BYE." The staff is horrible. Jean Trinkaus is very unprofessional and rude. I Will never step back into this place again. read more

This is the worst place in Maryland you can go to. Their service is horrible!!!. i went there for contact lenses examination last week. I made an appointment 2 weeks before, and when i got there on the day of my appointment which was at 6:30, the receptionist said i didn't have an appointment for 6:30 but 7:30. I had to wait for an hour for the examination. when i was done with the eye examination they told me to come back next week, and today when i went there to pick up my contact lenses, she was rude to me and told me the order wasn't in and i will have to come back monday. If you are looking for good service then do yourself a favor and find a better place. read more

Avoid this place. They are totally lacking in any concern for customer's getting a solution to the problem that brings them there - a need for glasses to help you see clearly. They do not care if you can see out of your new glasses, they do not care if your glasses fit correctly, they do not care if your glasses fall apart the first week you wear them. They are also overpriced. If they even bother to try to make the glasses fit better, they don't seem to have the skill or aptitude to do so. I gave them one star because the dog that hangs around the office is nice. Other than that - a very expensive, unfunny joke. Worst prescription and glasses I have ever had. read more