Excellent surgery and next-day follow-up; Dr.Ni and her tech team, shout out to Carrie, get the job done, efficiently and with excellent skilled professionalism coupled with the perfect amount of TLC. Thank you, Peter R. read more

This is for Dr Madeline Ripa. I had to have cataract surgery for both eyes as my eyes were finally so bad no glasses could correct. I was so nervous and almost got sold the $2000 per eye laser procedure to remove them, when i had several friends who are nurses recommend i don't need the laser, the original extraction method is so easy and all the dr's are good at it. It was not Dr Ripa who tried to sell this, it was eye care institute's Video they make you watch making it sounds like the superior option. I even made an extra apt with her to confirm I'm ok with regular procedure. She assured me I'd be fine. And I was! She is very sweet, friendly, sharp, and attentive. First eye, easy peasy, second eye easy peasy! And it's covered by insurance vs the laser option. The surgery center on 4 th Street is an incredibly professional team. They were all kind, helpful, and knowledgeable vs the actual eye care institute (sometimes in the main location on Cleveland the front desk can be a little overly "gatekeeperish" if you get me.). Eye care institute itself is not as friendly as the Dr, other than the fact they do maintain state of the art equipment. When i came back to have extra apt with the dr to confirm I'm ok with regular procedure vs laser, dr Ripa thought there would be no charge, but i was billed the bill $95 co pay for a question i could have emailed her but the Eye care institute required a whole appointment. That one expensive apt was actually unpleasant because i had to wait long beyond my apt time to speak to the dr and they required eye dilation and everything. Being that, it was not her fault, and Dr Ripa is great! One thing that was very helpful is she recommended i get these distance cheaters for inbetween when my eyes are actually done. That was an incredibly good suggestion, only available on amazon. Yesterday was my second eye. I have no pain, no pressure, only shockingly, now I see better! Thank you Dr Repa! read more

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Dr.Shah and assistants have again (decades of care!) given me outstanding, caring and thorough service. I told them that I was going to DMV and they filled out the official DMV sight paperwork right after my exam & gave it to me! I highly recommend the Eye Care Institute! read more

I'm not going to wait a damn three months to get an answer to a couple of simple questions about cataract replacement lenses. It's $6000!! I'm not going to let anyone slice me without being sure. I had a surgery date that I postponed wanting my questions answered that could be easily done over the phone. No they want me in person to do it. I'm beginning to think that the price they gave me is high and they assumed they would be making bank. I'm not even going to cancel my appointment. They can have an empty chair to see. I'm going elsewhere and probably have both eyes done before the appointment. read more

I've been going to ECI for quite a few years & have always had a positive experience. During the last year & a half Dr. Avni Shah, my ophthalmologist, went out of her way to educate me about cataract surgery, which I needed. She was patient, understanding and empathetic to my fears about the surgery. I always felt heard & respected. I finally decided to have the surgery and am so very happy I did! Thank you Dr. Shah and your staff for being kind and attentive to my particular issues & needs. ECI is a great facility with great doctors and staff that demonstrates professionalism on all levels. I highly recommend ECI and Dr. Shah. read more

Dr. Shah is wonderful. She is so caring. Her experience shows when she takes care of my eyes. I would never go to another Dr. She knew when I had to have cataract surgery that I was extremely nervous. It's my eyes. I have to have them. Before I had the surgery everything was blurry and it was hard to read. Now, after the surgery my vision is 20/20. Praise God for this Dr. She's a gift from God. I would highly recommend her. read more

had a wonderful experience with Dr. Shah. had cataract surgery said I wouldn't be able to see out of my eye for 3 days. Saw out of my eye way before that, and eye healed up beautifully. Now have 20/20 vision. Would refer this Dr. Over over again. read more

I would like to thank Dr Lillian Yang at the Eye Care Institute in Santa Rosa, CA, as well as her team, for the excellent professional service they provided in restoring my vision following cataract surgery. I was almost blind but my vision is now 20-20, according to my most recent post-surgery appointment with Dr Yang. I found her and the team to be very efficient, empathetic, pleasant and supportive, and as a result I am happy to recommend Dr Yang and her team to people looking for cataract treatment. Janice Akel read more

Had cataract surgery here from Dr. Nina Ni and also got glasses at their optometry shop. I see what people are saying that the place feels a little impersonal - it is kind of a big shop - BUT - it is incredibly well run. I have never had to wait more than 10 minutes to be seen. And I've been very pleased with the optometry shop, especially excellent employee Erik. Erik is the definition of excellent service. Every problem I had, Erik had a solution. He made sure every detail was exactly right about my somewhat complicated prescription and was friendly and calm throughout. I almost wish I had more eye problems so I could go work with Erik again. Dr. Nina Ni is good too: friendly yet very professional. Also, minor point, but the parking is outstanding. read more

Eye Care Institute - Erik, best optimetry associate ecvr! - Ophthalmologists Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

Rude front desk staff with an attitude. Every single time I've come in for an appointment there is not one individual who greets patients with a smile, a good morning. Nothing. Ive been coming here for over a year. Today was the last straw. I get to the front desk to check in and explain my appointment time and whom I'm supposed to see, the individual responded with "Name!?" Never looked at me, no greeting, nothing. If this is the caliber of person you want to be the face of your practice, it's no wonder the reviews are so low. And please don't bother with the trite apologies - the fact that there is no way to get in touch with the practice manager to discuss this experience without having to post a negative review should tell you all you need to know. read more

Eyecare Institute has an AI Assistant who answers the phone, but is not capable of scheduling appointments for a husband and wife on the same day with the same eye doctor. That would not be a huge problem because I was eventually (after far too much resistance from AI Asst) able to convince AI to turn me over to a human. The problem there is that you go straight to voicemail and they never call back. I wasted three weeks just trying to talk to a human there, so we would not have to travel from Redwood Valley to Santa Rosa twice for appointments that any minimally competent human could easily have scheduled back-to-back. Never saw an eye doctor, but given their poor judgment in turning over scheduling to an incompetent bot, I doubt they are much better when it comes to eye care. read more

The very best care I have ever had! The doctors are the best. Surgery facility the best care I have ever had! Dr.Ni listens carefully and did an amazing job of removing a lens that had been wrong for over a year and replaced it with a new lens! I recommend the Eye Care Institute to everybody! They are friendly and caring and very intelligent. The faculties are amazing and very up to date! I want to thank the staff and all the Doctors for their patience, excellent care and openness read more

Highly professional care, kind attention.... I trusted i was in very good hands! I went from being scared before surgery to realizing i was in very safe hands. read more

I would like to update my review. This past year I had an eye issue and Dr Brahma was fantastic m, very thorough and accommodating fitting me into their already booked calendar on more than one occasion. I've also noticed an improvement in their receptionist and callback services. read more

The worse service ever having to wait more than 1.5 hours to see the doctor, they overbook so you have to sit and wait for them to get to you, terrible way to treat patient's and I will never be back since they are disrespectful of other's time, oh brother! There are plenty of options for your eyes so I recommend finding another doctor! read more

Inconsiderate. I had an appointment for contact lens examination, I was running a little late coming from work. I called to attempt to let the staff know, I was met with an AI receptionist and I asked to speak with an actual employee and then it said no one was available to speak and hung up on me. I got there to the front desk (exactly 10 minutes late), apologized and let them know I tried to contact them and was told the doctor had already left for the day. I asked about a policy, as I've never heard of a doctor just up and leaving before even 10 minutes of waiting. Isn't it typical to have a 15 minute window, or maybe they could've tried to call me? The manager wouldn't answer my question about a policy and kept stating "he's already left so you have to reschedule" and "we tend to have a lot of no-shows so he figured you weren't coming". It's really unfortunate because I left work early for it and had been waiting for this appointment. I did not reschedule and will be taking my business elsewhere. The doctor was never warm and friendly anyway. read more

I had cataract surgery here. Everyone was professional and took me seriously. I have recommended several friends to the ECI. read more

About one year ago, I changed to Eye Care Institute. Their doctors are very good. The prescription my doctor gave me works great. What also is great are the men & women who work in the retail part selling glasses. This department does a wonderful job. They ask good questions that help them find the correct frames & lenses for you. They do not try to upsell you but explain what options are available. I've had my glasses for about 6 months and went in today had an adjustment done. It was free & the person that helped (Eric) was very polite, never rushed me and did an excellent job adjusting my glasses. read more

This was the worst experience in customer service I have had in a long time. I saw the doctor for my yearly prescription and things went as expected as my eyes were examined. I was given a form to receive my glasses and was then directed to the optician. It was there that I encountered a person that was condescending and not to the point. Finally, I learned that the prescription was said to be incorrect because it had expired. Since I had just received the new examination and thus a new prescription, I asked for the person to get the correct prescription. I said, "don't blame me for the incorrect prescription" as I had just seen the doctor. Then the optician said they'd be right back and went to see my doctor in the examination area. After a long wait the person presented me with my new prescription saying, "the doctor printed out your new prescription," and walked away. I guess they didn't want my business. Well, I guess I won't be going back. read more

Dr. Ni and the whole physician team and staff at ECI are wonderful. They have treated me, my father, mother, and aunt for many years and followed us diligently through many vision-related issues. One key issue has been a familial vision disorder, where Dr. Ni sat down and explained all the factors which could be driving the issue and gave my family and I a plan on how to track it and which sub-specialist to go to if the condition worsened. Her compassion and patience thru these difficult discussions was incredible! ECI's new office in northern Santa Rosa is beautiful and runs like a well oiled machine. Our patient experiences have been fantastic, with techs that care about making us feel comfortable but who also respect our time. Drs Yang and Alsamarae have also treated my family and we have nothing but great things to say! read more

I dunno why such low reviews. They took care of me and I was satisfied. They were nice and helpful

Seem to know what they are doing. Really liked my doctor, no problems, big facility. Had laser surgery, went fine.

Wow!!! I completely understand that a lot of businesses are suffering due to the lack of employees, but that doesn't mean that you treat your clients any differently. It's not our fault that things are suffering. I came in for my annual visit and the tech was either having a bad day or frustrated at something. Her attitude and demeanor was as if I was wasting her time. She didn't welcome me when she called my name. She was very robotic and on some level quite cold. When I couldn't keep my eyes open for one of the tests she let me know in her actions that I irritated her. If I treated my students as she treated me I wouldn't last very long in my position. The Dr has the same non existing bedside manner. There is no warmth when he speaks to you. I don't mind a doctor getting straight to the point and not hiding behind a bush, I actually appreciate that but it's all in the way you deliver the message that counts. I couldn't wait to leave the office and be done with my appointment. I will probably be looking for a new eye doctor. read more

First and last time receiving care at Eye Care Institute. I was seen by Dr. Bruce P. Abramson today and this was the worst patient experience I have ever received, this is coming from someone who has receives regular check ups. Dr. Abramson needs to remember these services are not free, and although he does not want to be there, that does not mean he needs to take this out on his patient that are there over valid concerns. read more

I recently had Pterygism removal surgery and two weeks later cataract surgery by Dr. Nina Ni. She is excellent in her surgical skills, professional, competent and confident. She is personable, kind, compassionate and put me at complete ease going into my surgeries. Her staff were professional and when I engaged in conversation with them, they were warm and very nice. I believe in treating others the way you want to be treated and it will come back to you. Everyone from the front desk to the scheduling staff were very professional and personable. The surgery center staff were excellent as well. They were very professional as well as putting you at ease with their kindness and humor. All around a very good experience so far! I would recommend Dr. Nina Ni to my friends and family. You're in good hands. read more

Cataract Surgery --- We all are reaching an age where body parts are not working and need the help of a competent physician. In my opinion, one of the most important body parts we need in perfect working condition, is our eyes. I had a cataract that needed to be removed. I was told by Dr. Avni Ashok Shah that it was a relatively routine operation. Dr. Avni Ashok Shah operated on my left eye in 2020, even though I complained right after the surgery, that I was suffering from severe pain she failed to recognize or admit her negligence early enough to correct the problem. Subsequent to her delayed follow up, other eye surgeons, who I consulted were unable to correct her surgical error. Scar tissue from Dr. Avni Ashok Shah's, surgery had eliminated any opportunity to save the normal functionality of my left eye. As a consequence of her botched surgery, my vision is now much worse, blurry, super sensitive to light, and have constant headaches as well as facial and skull pain. As a result I have suffered greatly and had to spend many thousands of dollars to TRY to correct or repair the damages caused by Dr. Avni Ashok Shah's failed surgery. Please keep in mind, that you may want to think twice before you visit Dr. Avni Ashok Shah for cataract surgery. Unfortunately, even after three years, I have no improvement, only PAIN!!! read more

I did not buy glasses here but I had cataracts repaired in both eyes and I could not be happier. They were kind and efficient and I have 20/20 vision for the first time since I was a child. Kudos! read more

Eye Care Institute Optical department scammed me out of $402 and are unwilling to make it right!! I did not want anti reflective coating or hi index plastic lenses. The technician who helped me said she would get me an itemized reciept when I picked up. They are now unwilling to refund the money I should not have been charged in the first place. I worked there for 11 years in the optical department with Bruce Jonas and we NEVER ONCE did this to a patient!!!! I apologize to everyone I have referred there and encourage you to look elsewhere for you eye care needs and glasses. read more

Dr. Yang is wonderful! That said, Medicare patients beware of this place! Medicare allows one eye exam a year at no charge, however this place seems to think they can charge Medicare patients a copay anyway, because they are "specialists. read more

I have had good eye care with Dr. Ni but I will not use their optical department again. I had glasses made there even though I live in Humboldt Co. When they mailed me the glasses, the glasses made me see double at a distance. I thought I just needed to get used to them so waited a while. Then I broke my foot and couldn't drive down there. When I finally was able to get there, they told me first I only had a 30-day warranty. Then they measured the glasses and said everything was in perfect alignment and I would have to visit Dr. Ni again to verify the prescription. I'm not throwing good money after bad. read more

This place has been bought out - for the second time in several years - by some nasty corporation. Never go here. This used to be a locally owned place with on-site service, but no more. You feel as if you are a profit center to be squeezed and nothing more. A couple of the staff are very nice and helpful but they are victims of the same corporate system that makes this a bad place to get care or to shop. The optician makes you feel like a customer at McDonald's - how fast can I give you the minimum possible attention and shuffle you into the optical area where we make our money? Instead of doing things in a customer centered way, everything here is done in ways that follow rules of a corporation. Optical department is closed from 12:30 to 1:30 PM and nobody else can help you, rather than having people do flex time so that there is always coverage. That would be way too convenient for customers. At the optometrist end, even if none of your information has changed, they want you to fill out pages of their paperwork again - every year. They don't print it out and ask you to check it and tell them if anything is changed, they just make you write it all out again whether you need to or not. They don't care that writing might be difficult for someone with arthritis or other conditions, as long as they get what they need in the way that they want. Only when I pressed the issue was I told I could just write "same" and sign the form. Huh? Anything but following their corporate rules would be too convenient for their customers. The person who helped me with my glasses almost overcharged me by $400 until I called him on it. They then forgot to measure me for my progressives and had to run out to the parking lot to grab me. My two pairs of glasses came in almost a week apart and when asked for an update they could only say they were in process, there was no possible updates on actual progress or dates. They send everything out to their corporate lab of course, so there is no accountability. I could go on and on about the many other problems I experienced here but I hope you've read enough to know that you should just never ever, ever use this business. read more

I used some horrible hippie natural stuff I bought from amazon for pink eye & I wound up harming my eyes! My right eye especially! So I phoned up the ECI, which btw, has moved into Empire College from their previous 2nd Street location, at 8 am. I explained I had an "eye emergency", which btw I did, I thought I would lose my sight in my right eye, I was in pain, it was horrible. They booked me into an emergency appt with Dr Ying. I was so relieved! Though I did not get a prescription, she told me to get REFRESH & also PATADAY for my my constant allergic conjunctivitis. I'm on the mend, this is now the day after seeing her. I'm really GRATEFUL they were there to help me!!! TYSM! read more

I recently had cataract surgery at this facility and the physican installed the wrong lens in my eye. I discovered this because my vision was blurred shortly after the procedure. The only safe way to correct this problem, I was told, was to have lasik surgery. The doctor to whom I was referred for this second procedure had the temerity to tell me that the original surgery was perfect. Incompetence followed by denial, I have decided to pass on this place and would strongly advise anyone who needs eye work to go elsewhere. I have been advised by an attorney friend of mine that I should consider a malpractice suit and am exploring that currently. By the way, I am not having any additional procedures and will buy corrective lenses. read more

We came all the way from Lakeport to get my wife assessed for cataract surgery. I had put the appointment on the wrong day in my calendar. And couldn't make the actual appt day. The lady at the front desk figured us out and got us on the same day! That is some stellar service. Very pleased with this place! read more

Dr Lillian Yang. Did an awesome job for my 84 year old father's cataract surgeries. Highly recommend her to anyone.

Easy to schedule an appointment. Copay if any, is due at time of visit. The MA that helped me was Jamie, she was very fast and efficient. I wasn't able to see that well after appointment, but went over to optical to pick out frames. Process was so easy! I called over the phone to pay since forgot checkbook at home. They have been good each time. 7-10 business day turn around time for frames. I saw Dr. Abramson, he was fast and efficient. read more

Eye Care Institute - Ophthalmologists Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

I can not say enough about the great care I've received here. I'm so grateful that I was referred to the eye care institute after a bad eye injury and continued care for by Dr Ni and Dr Brahma, and they are awesome! read more

I have been using the Eye Care Institute for my eye care needs over the last 5 years. I am able to easily and quickly make appointments and I have found the staff to be very friendly and accommodating. The Doctors and assistants are very professional and will go the extra mile to help complete eye evaluations / tests, answer your questions, and provide recommendations. I highly recommend the Eye Care Institute for all of your eye care needs. read more

I've been very happy with the services I've received from ECI! They have helped me with eye glasses and cataract surgery over the past couple of years. From start to finish the process was smooth.-- from making my appointments, testing by techs, consultations with doctors and surgeries. I trust ECI to have state-of-the-art technologies and practices to ensure best results for my vision. read more

My high praise of Dr. Ni remains the same plus the nurses & staff at their Laser Center. However, I can't say the same about the technicians at the Eye Care Institute. On a previous visit in late 2023 to get Dr. Ni's opinion on a second cataract removal surgery, the tech was condescending, barely polite, & told me not to use * technical * terms such as "monovision". Because what member of the public knows anything about optometry, right? Her tone changed when I informed her I worked for an optician & an optometrist. I shouldn't have had to do this. Yesterday, I had an extremely unpleasant experience with another technician who apparently thinks anyone with grey hair is dumb, out of touch & needs scolding. She told me to sit in the chair at the first station while she cleaned the contact points, which would've had her butt in my face.So I waited until she was finished before sitting down. After she ordered me twice to "take my glasses" I bit down. I told her I refused to have her barking orders at me & she needed to change her tone. I suggested she could say "Don't forget your glasses." She was shocked into speaking softly but couldn't stop trying to order me around when I put my belongings on a chair in the exam room. Because she obviously thinks grey-haired people are deaf AND stupid she assumed I was going to sit in that chair instead of the exam chair. I kept my attitude calm & friendly while she struggled to keep her negative behavior under control. I don't know what training these techs get, or if their supervisor has the same attitude towards patients. If it weren't for patients this place would have next to no business. Checking in for an appointment can be hazardous too. If you're lucky you get straight to an appointment clerk. If not, you can stand waiting & twitching with impatience for many minutes while the clerks ignore you. I have never been seen on time. Yesterday's appointment started 40 minutes late. It took 2 hours out of my day to be seen by the rude tech, not Dr.Ni, for a rx exam. Even after I spoke to Dr.Ni, I didn't get my rx as requested- I had to wait to see an optometrist 2 days later to whom they'd faxed my notes. As wonderful a surgeon as Dr.Ni is, & as nice a person, I will never go back to the Eye Care Institute. I recommend looking elsewhere for eye exams. read more