Unethical and unprofessional experience at Harvard Square Eye Care. On July 28, 2025, my daughter went in for a routine eye exam. The appointment lasted about 25 minutes, including dilation. At the end, the office charged her for a contact lens exam, even though she was never told it was being done -- and no contact lens prescription was provided. When I questioned the charge, I explained I wanted to speak with the doctor before paying. The office manager (Kathy A.) told me I could not leave without paying. When I refused, she became visibly upset and told a staff member to cancel my daughter's prescription on the spot. This felt like a threat and retaliation. The next day, the staff member (Kyle) admitted that they often withhold prescriptions if patients don't pay upfront, and that the cancellation was ordered because they assumed I wouldn't pay. I emailed the doctor, Dr. Shah, for clarification on whether a contact lens exam had even been performed -- but never received a reply. Ultimately, they sent only a glasses prescription, not a contact lens one. This kind of behavior -- surprise billing, withholding prescriptions, and refusing to clarify services -- is deeply unprofessional and possibly unethical. I've filed a formal complaint with the Massachusetts Board of Optometry. Patients deserve transparency and respect -- not billing pressure and threats. read more

From the moment I arrived, I was gaslighted and emotionally abused by the manager, made to feel like my concerns were invalid. The optometrist then yelled and screamed at me--verbal assault that left me feeling humiliated--and the first eye exam was completely mishandled, resulting in the wrong prescription that wasted both my time and money. I am filing complaints with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Optometry and the Attorney General's Office - Consumer Protection Division. Anyone considering this business should proceed with extreme caution. read more

I Called to get an appointment asap since I thought I had an eye infection and also desperately needed a new contact lens prescription. The receptionist was able to fit me in the very next day and double checked both my eye insurance and my health insurance to make sure I was utilizing all my benefits and paying the least out of pocket (I had already used up my free exam with another eye doctor). Place: clean, well organized. docked 1/2 a star because i think the frame selection was small but they do have other locations so perhaps this one isn't as big. My doctor was Abigail, sweet woman, walked me through everything, very personable. The exam went smoothly and she explained all my contact lens options and gave me a trial set for a week (which was WAY better than my last brand). I had to come back in a few day to get my eyes dilated. Docked the next 1/2 star because I was a little shocked at how aggressive Abigail was when putting the drops in my eye. I sat down in the chair and she was on me pulling my eyes open and BANG! Drop! Maybe that's how they have to do it but give a girl some warning before pouncing! LOL. looking back it was funny but i was def taken aback. read more

I see a divided opinion, love & hate, for Harvard Square Eye Care. Without disparaging anyone else's experience, I only have good things to say about these guys. My son needed an eye exam during covid, and we met with Dr. W in the Harvard Square branch who did an expert job. There was one receptionist in particular who was fantastic, but she left and I was worried. But I went back to the Belmont St. branch because it's so darn convenient. I had no problem getting free contacts through my insurance and the office was very attentive throughout. Most recently, my son met with an optometrist, Anthony, who is really awesome. He's the kind of professional that just makes you feel at ease with his knowledge and care. He drew some diagram explaining various medical options for our son, and offered to give us a copy. Instead of just giving us his sketched version, he typed up everything into a clear table which could have been handed out - now that's customer service! Of course, YMMV, but I'm satisfied with HSEC! read more

I have been to several establishments in and around neighboring cities, and HSEC on Belmont Street is by far superior, and it is all because of the wonderful staff! Please check them out and don't be put off by the other reviews which are at least a year old. I am confident the staff is not the same as was when the reviews were written. Dr. Anthony Phamduy is extremely knowledgeable and such pleasant human being. My daughter had an ongoing issue and he was able to explain the specifics in great detail and answered all of our questions without ever making us feel like we were taking up his time. My family members that had appointments in this office, all come away with a similar outcome as mine........they are big fans of Dr. Phamduy! Have I mentioned the EXCEPTIONAL staff that is at the front desk?!!!! Every person that I have had the pleasure of interacting with was very knowledgeable and went out of their way to be helpful. So far, I have had full eye exam and ordered contacts. Process was super simple and turn around time so quick. Front desk personnel are professional, courteous, prompt with communication and really helpful with insurance benefits, etc. I don't normally leave reviews but noticed that my experience greatly differed from others that have previously posted and I wanted to share my positive experience. I strongly suggest you check this location out for yourself. If your experience is like ours, you will have found your "go to office" for all your eye care needs! read more

Made a mistake- had eye exam at Harvard square eye care, instead of meei. Wrong prescription, wrong glasses, harvard Sq eye care would not adjust them... lost big, but did it right (meei) the 2nd time. Prescription filled elsewhere, I can see again! read more

I would not recommend this place due to the shenanigans. They are liars. I was told that for a contact lense fitting that under the law I had to get a new prescription within a year. That is not true. It isn't a law, it is this company's way of getting more money. I had my insurance company call and confront them with the statement as BCBS agreed it isn't a law. Harvard Square Eye Care backed down from the statement, and changed it to it was company policy. This is not a company policy that was disclosed when I went there or is visible in the office when you walk in. It is a "hidden" policy (apparently this place is failing enough they have to try to squeeze money from existing customers). If you can't trust a doctor (Even an optometrist) walk away. read more

The first pair of progressive bought (800$, thank you very much) were so scratched within six weeks I had to return them to get replacement lenses. No, I didn't use sandpaper to clean them... but seriously, if had to only use their special cloths and sprays they couldn've told me! Within two years the lenses were - again - too scratched to be good anymore. I've had glasses all my life in this is seriously the first time they've gotten so scratched! No, I didn't use sandpaper, I didn't use weird detergents. I used the hem of my shirt on occasion.... They replaced the first pair for free. For a replacements after the two years they would charge me $400. For that price I bought a new pair at Warby Parker. Granted they're friendly. They helped me pick out some nice frames. But the business with the glasses was just weird and for that price (800$) ridiculous. Also they made me a pair of glasses that were unwearable... for 700$. (Strong prescription in one eye and none in the other... ). At Mass Eye and Ear they couldn't believe that they even tried to make them! I got a different pair of glasses instead (prescription sunglasses) and with a discount but I still needed to dish out a few hundred more. Maybe things are better there and the doctor was good and nice. But whoever makes their glasses .... Anyway, don't go here unless you have a very simple prescription and don't mind spending too much. read more

I think I've been going to HSEQ at this location for at least 5 years now? They have always been extremely friendly and great at chatting about what's going on during your exam. I particularly recommend Dr. Dickerman, who has always taken time to work with me at the point where you pick out frames to help guide my personal style, and always understood what I was going for even during my gender transition. She also helped make the intake forms more inclusive during the time when I still didn't have my insurance information updated. Frame selection is great -- I particularly like their Etnia Barcelona and Prada selections -- but is a little on the spendy side. It's always been more than worth it to me, though, to feel better about myself when I walk out. read more

In the end I got a decent looking pair glasses, but the customer service experience lacking enough that I'll probably consider another place next time. The first time I went in was to look at frames and get an idea of costs while I was waiting for the new year to kick in. The woman who helped me was nice and knowledgeable. I didn't have the exact details of my plan on me. I sent it in by email and asked for a more accurate cost, but never got a response. I made an appointment which was easy. The exam was the standard exam with eye dilation. The guy who makes the glasses is the only one I felt gave me great customer service. He interchanged some parts so I could see what they would look like before I committed. I sat with someone to finalize my selection. At first she had me at a discount and not with insurance. So I gave the woman a copy of my insurance. She calculated some numbers and told me I wanted all the upsells without going over the differences and said my cost was $755. It seemed a little steep, but I've paid in the $600s in the past. She didn't go over any of the breakdowns and how my insurance played in. I'm not saying it was incorrect, but when I'm spending that much money, it should be more clear of the cost for each feature and how my insurance discount plays into it. The computer wasn't working and I couldn't get a printout. I was offered to have it emailed to me. I said that was fine, but asked to have it sent that day because I wanted to submit it to flexible spending since this would be on my credit card. Two days later I still did not get the receipt and had to call. When I got the receipt, it had a list of the charges, but again not a detailed breakdown that showed the costs and how my insurance played it. A week and a half later I got a notification the glasses were in as expected. I went to the store and was given the glasses to try on. I put them on and couldn't see with them because the lenses were filthy! They were completely smeared with fingerprints, probably from them being assembled, but I was put off that these dirty glasses were on my face. The woman cleaned them and I tried them on again. I said they seemed OK and she was ready to have me go without an offer of a mirror or to see if any adjustments were needed. I said wait a minute, and went to the mirror. I could see they were a bit crooked. I asked to have them adjusted. The guy who makes them came out. I said after spending all this money, I expect these to fit properly. He could see some adjustments were needed and made them until they were correct. I had gone to another place nearby previously, but wanted to try something new. That's what I get for cheating. read more

I broke my glasses last week during the blizzard so I had to unfortunately find an eye doctor. After calling several places, this one was open and it was a 5 minute drive from my house and had decent yelp reviews so I took a risk. Walking in, I had high expectations for the place. It's clean, looks like a very nice store, and two people came to speak to me as I walked in through the door. Filled out my paperwork and went to see the doctor and he was nice, gave very detailed descriptions of everything he was doing, it was going great. So why the 2 stars? I'd like to think I know a decent amount about my vision and I told the optometrist my current prescription (which has remained the same for the last 10+ years--since I've been old enough to tell them what I want) is -1.75 in each eye, there's a tiny bit of astigmatism in one eye but it's not enough that it needs correcting. He measured me on the eye machine and agreed with everything I said (which was great) but then said that he wanted me to go with a -2.00 prescription in order to get to 20/15 vision and that I indeed had slight astigmatism in one eye that didn't need correcting. I don't want 20/15 vision. I'm perfectly satisfied with 20/20 vision. I just want the same prescription I've had for the last 10+ years since my eyes are the exact same they've been since I was a teenager. He said okay and that I'd get my prescription emailed by the end of the business day. Lo and behold he wrote my prescription for a -2.00 with the astigmatism correction in one eye, so basically I can't use it to get my same glasses again. I went online because I guess now there are a ton of sites that let you just buy glasses without sending in a prescription, but now I can't use my insurance to cover the frames/lenses. Next time you need to see an eye doctor, just skip this place. I know I will. read more

Awful place and the worst staff I have ever seen!! I bought a pair of glasses and contact lenses from them more than a month ago. They charged me over $1000 (since my glasses numbers are high) and I haven't received my glasses and contacts yet. Every time I call them they say your order will be ready next week by this day. I have been calling them every week to see what happened​ to my order. Mirna who is the office manager in their Belmont location is terribly​ rude. After a month she called me and said I am giving you options! Either wait for another week (God knows if she doesn't lie again!) or we can refund you! My current glasses have a big scratch on it which causes a ​headache every day. They charged me more than $1000 and now say if you don't wanna wait we can refund you. Big disappointment! read more

Beware - Harvard Square Eye Care has lost my trust and my business! I rarely write negative reviews however I felt compelled to write this review after my experience with the Harvard Square Eye Care - Belmont location. I purchased lenses for my frames here a little over two years ago and have had to replace the lenses for a third time now because of a defective antiglare coating issue. I have now invested $750+ and will have to spend another $500-600 if I want usable glasses since Harvard Square Eye Care will not stand by their product and replace my lenses that have coating breaking down AGAIN for the third time and only after 6 months AGAIN. I purchased progressive lenses from Harvard Square Eye Care for my frames in 2019. I take very good care of my glasses and only clean them with the recommended lens cleaner and cloths. However, within less than a year the breakdown of the coating on the glasses was so bad it was getting hard to see through them. By the time I returned to Harvard Square Eye Care, it was just beyond my 1 year warranty period, however, they agreed to only charge me 50% of the cost to replace the lenses because they coating was so broken down at that point. That was nice, however, it was clear this coating was an issue long before the year was up. After receiving the replacement lenses, the coating again began to break down within a few months and the lenses had to be replaced AGAIN in December 2020. Again, I took very good care of my glasses and, within six months, the coating is now breaking down again in July 2021. I took my glasses back to Harvard Square Eye Care in Belmont today and was told I was out of luck because their warranty was only supposed to cover the initial pair of glasses/lenses and not subsequent issues with replacement lenses and they should not have even replaced my last set of lenses. There is clearly an issue with the coating product they are using since in the 20+ years I have worn glasses from other vendors I have never had this issue until I purchased glasses at Harvard Square Eye Care - and it has now happened for the third time in less than 2.5 years. They implied that it was something I was doing to cause this issue, however, I've only been using products they recommend. So, now I am stuck with glasses that are becoming increasingly hard to see through and will have to repurchase new progressive lenses (at least $500-600) at my own expense after I've already spent $750+ on these same Harvard Square Eye Care lenses during the past two and a half years because Harvard Square Eye Care will not stand by their product and replace my current defective lenses I've had for ONLY six months. And even though I now have a pair of glasses that are ONLY six months old and are becoming less usable by the day, I asked for and was told no refund of any amount on the $750 I've paid over the past two and a half years for the original and second pair of lenses. Harvard Square Eye Care has the opportunity to send the lenses back to the manufacturer for a refund if found defective, but obviously is choosing not to do so and instead has chosen to let me absorb the expense of purchasing yet another pair of progressive lenses on my own. I will definitely not be purchasing any other products from Harvard Square Eye Care. Think twice before you purchase your lenses at Harvard Square Eye Care because you may be out of luck and out of pocket due to repeated defective coating issues! read more

I've been patiently waiting for two weeks for my contacts that were ordered and paid for. I was given a 7-10 business days estimate and figured that everything was all set. Time goes by and I run out of my last pair of contact lenses so I decide to check and see whats going on with the box that I ordered for them to nonchalantly tell me that not only has my order not gone out, but it's actually not even in stock and hasn't been received. Things happen, and I get that, but to have this update and not even bother to let me know is so irresponsible and shows how little they care about customers. All they care about is that they were already paid and so I should just hang tight and wait for my order. I haven't received an update on when I should be expecting my lenses or when they will even be in stock. They also over charge for contacts it's cheaper and more efficient I see now to shop online at something like Warby Parker. They should truly just shut it down. read more

The front desk lady who was work on 2/11 afternoon was provided pretty bad customer service. Seems like once you made the payment, they don't want to provide the service anymore. The shitty attitude is unacceptable. If you do care about your service, please hire the right person in the front. read more

I have a difficult prescription with a strong myopia and astigmatism. There have been places that took cutting the lenses 4 times before getting a good set of glasses for me. Harvard Square Eye Care has managed to be spot on with each pair. Lauren is a great doctor and I highly recommend her for her thoroughness and and ability to coax out clarity from the machines at her disposal. The optician is a wizard with the lens cutter and not failed to do a great job. read more

I couldn't have been more pleased with my eye exam, the wonderful doctor (Lauren) and the overall service at their new location..The staff is very friendly and accommodating. They've got a return customer in me..Todd Hyde read more

Dr. Dickerman provides careful prescriptions with a pragmatic approach that provides correctness along with flexibility to your needs. Max, out on the floor with the frames, will take the time you need and pay close attention, proving knowledgeable guidance on what frames and lenses will work best. The combination of these two professionals has provided me more use from my glasses than I have had in years. They got me through the struggles of the transition into progressive lenses. Now I can see the leaves on the trees in the distance AND with the same glasses I can read my phone, read a menu and see my food on my plate! If you have not been, the Belmont Street office of Harvard Square Eye Care is a beautiful, welcoming and serene, new addition to their offices. read more

They have a great selection of eye frames. They took me right on time for my appointment. They were very efficient and knowledgeable.

I am a new customer to your Belmont Street store. I went in yesterday for an eye exam and to get new glasses. I would love to give the managers and owners great feedback in reference to Stephanie who helped me that day. She was extremely personable and really helped me find a perfect fit for glasses. As an educator I know how important it is to give and receive positive feedback, so I would like you to know that I was a very pleased costumer leaving your store yesterday after meeting with Stephanie! read more