The optometry examination itself went fine, and Dr. Narang is very personable. The examination included some imaging of the meibomian glands around my eyes, showing that they were blocked. I had gone in to get glasses and had not expected this part of the exam. Dr. Narang recommended a very expensive treatment (several thousand dollars) not covered by health insurance. When I said I could not afford that, she said the clinic sold an omega oil supplement that could help. That cost $70 for the bottle. I was able to get relatively cheap frames, which was great. However, the initial glasses did not help my vision and gave me a bad headache. I returned them, and they replaced the lenses at no additional cost. When I asked what they had done to improve them, they said they had put in higher-quality lenses. I wondered why I hadn't been given the better lenses from the get-go. The clinic up-sells more expensive products, as other reviews have indicated. It also offers various skin treatments and thus has a spa vibe, which means the reception area and most of the back area are highly scented, which isn't good for anyone who reacts to scented products. read more

No problem with Doctor Narang but on the business side they fail miserably. I was not given a break down of what I was paying for, I should have received a detailed statement. The selection of eye frames was very poor, but I did chose one, not my favorite. They sort of have a way of putting you in an awkward spot. First you see the doctor, then in the middle of the visit with her, she brings you to another desk, and a gentleman starts talking about various lens choices, then he takes you to the wall of frames, which does not have many choices, then you feel you have to agree to the glasses. Then you return to the doctor and she proceeds to talk to you about other eye problems she has discovered, which should be addressed by a special treatment, particularly the dry eye treatment which is very expensive, but they do have a payment plan. Of course you do not have to agree to this right away. Then you go to the front desk and you are given the cost, no itemized statement, they have a kit which the doctor has prepared with various items, which I have taken before, all in a plastic pouch for $162.00 way over priced, The eye mask I already had so I did not have to buy it, so where the $162,00 came from I have no idea. When my glasses are ready I will pick them up and that is the last they will ever see of me. No business should be allowed to operate this way. From what I observed when I was there most of the clients were seniors, and seniors are vulnerable, and I feel they are taken advantage of. read more

The best Optometrist we have ever had. Dr. Narang is very knowledgeable, personable, prompt in solving problems, very caring and takes time to listen. The staff are excellent and the service throughout the total experience is second to none. A very high level of integrity in all areas of sight related issues. We highly recommend Dr. Narang and staff to anyone needing help with their eyes. read more

I had an appointment on July 19 2023 and I have insurance. I paid for my appointment and expected my insurer to reimburse me as they do for all other appointments I make with providers that have direct billing. I reached out to my insurance about reimbursement because it normally happens quite quickly and I was still waiting. They informed me that Island Eyecare direct billing is set up to reimburse the business and not directly to me, the insured. This means you pay Island Eyecare and then the Insurance repays Island Eyecare and then you have to try and get your money back from them. WHAT????? So I started calling Island Eyecare and they told me I missed the weekly repayment from the insurance and I would have to wait until the following week. It's now the following week and I have still had to call every day. The call this morning was especially interesting as I was told the repayment had been made by e-transfer. Ummmm no. Nothing. I was told to check my account. No email and no transfer. So I call again at the end of the day and then I'm told well maybe next week. Honestly....I can't. I don't make a lot of money. Life in BC on one income means living paycheque to paycheque. This is why I choose direct billing providers. I have a budget and bills to pay. Fix your system and if you want your "direct billing" to work this way, then provide timely service. Give people their money and let them get on with their lives. Never again. This is the first review of a business I have ever taken the time to write and post. I normally cannot be bothered. But I am fed up. I have to give one star to post this but I would really just give it 0 stars. read more

Stay away from this store!!!! The Optometrist is great, but the manager is extremely rude. He dumped his verbal abuse on me 2 years ago, I complained that he was never to serve me again and I would not come in the store if he was there. Yesterday, he was there. I overheard him berating another customer, yelling, belittling and gaslighting his complaint. The poor guy was quite upset, never raised his voice, was completely respectful the entire time. He repeatedly threatened the customer that 'he has video cameras' in the store. I think the body language on that tape would be very revealing. I was disgusted and walked out in solidarity with this customer's deplorable treatment. read more

Terrible experience. Will never trust this business with eye wear ever again. Had my glasses refitted with new lenses and the condition they were returned in was atrocious. There is complete discoloration of the frames with a white film now covering the majority of it. Upon picking up the glasses and seeing the condition I made an appointment to discuss the condition with the salesperson/glasses adjuster that had assisted me the day of the appointment. When I arrived for the scheduled appointment this person was not there and instead met with someone else that had not assisted me. This person told me the condition of the glasses was due to previous wear and tare, likely from UV-rays. I have had these (expensive) glasses for under four years and have never had a white grainy discoloration until I received them after refitting. The person continued to reiterate that the business only deals with the lenses and only uses a "water-like" substance for cleaning the frames. I am upset that I requested an appointment with my original sales person, made an appropriate appointment, and was not given that appointment. This original person had complemented my frames on their beauty and style when I handed them over to be cared for and they were returned to me stylistically ruined. Side note: the high level of customers in the store during the initial visit not only made the appointment far longer than expected but also seemed risky given COVID-19. read more

Perhaps more a critique of the model vs this business individually, which was otherwise professional, clean, well organized... I went for an eyetest to Island Eyecare in early 2019, passed with perfect 20/20 vision, and the Optician/Dr who did the test tried to sell me $100 in non-prescription products for a previously diagnosed condition which was not bothering me, and I had managed with non invasive optometrist recommended home treatments. Why introduce expensive chemicals if the patient is satisfied with their current status? Then, after the appointment I was directed towards a sales person who asked me a series of questions like 'do you work in front of a computer all day?" which resulted in a pitch for blue light protection glasses. I explained that I had just passed the eye test with 20/20 vision, and did not have any complaints. 6 months later headline: CBC Marketplace Investigation - Why you don't need blue light lenses: Hidden camera investigation. Just sayin... The price of the eye test was 2x what my insurance plan covered, so I ended up $60 out of pocket to learn I had basically no vision problems. Not complaining because that is a small price to pay every couple of years to ensure my eyes are okay. But what about folks with no insurance? Very expensive! The fact that I had no vision problems, and the whole thing was basically an upsell left a bad taste in my mouth. read more

I have been dealing with this company for over 10 years. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and always ready to assist. Dr Narang has prescribed the best contacts (both fitting and vision) I have ever had. My glasses have also been excellent! read more

Front desk are friendly. I didnt have a long wait. The doctor that treated me is friendly and easy to deal with.

These folks were recommended to me by a coworker, but I won't be recommending them to anyone I know. The eye exam was fine, but it was when the optometrist handed me over to sales staff and receptionists who knew next to nothing about my health insurance plan. I advised them that the amount my insurance plan would cover was recently increased, and asked them to check the website (where this information is available), but they insisted they were right, and proceeded to bill me for $250 for my eyeglass order. Later, I found out they were wrong, so I cancelled my order and asked for a refund. They refunded my money, and were still insisting I was wrong. Clearly they need more training, and a better attitude toward paying customers. read more

Came here recently for an overdue eye exam, as well as an update on the prescription for my glasses and contacts. Pros: - Dr. Narang is incredibly friendly and has an air of ease and warmth about her. I felt totally confident in her abilities. - It was very easy to make an appointment, and it started right on time. - Helpful and friendly staff. - My glasses and contacts were ready for me very quickly, and I received prompt phone calls to alert me. Cons: - I found things to be pricey, but I have to admit that I'm used to having eye exams in the states as well as having vision coverage through my insurance. - The doctor suggested some lubricating eyedrops for me, and said she had some in the office to "give to me". I was charged for them. I didn't mind so much, as the price was reasonable, but I wish I had been told that they were to "sell to me." Rubbed me the wrong way a tad bit... - Because the office is downtown, you'll have to pay for parking - although this could also go under pros for those who take the bus, as it's right along many major bus routes. In general, I was pleased and I feel strongly that I'll keep coming back for my yearly checkups. read more

I ordered a set of prescription lens and and a repair of a set of their frames that broke after a few months. No big deal right. A month and half later no call back nothing. I have been chasing them for a resolution and they do zero except offer empty excuses. The service they provide is substandard overpriced and their frames are of a poor quality. Stay away from this business at all costs. read more

Do not order on-line!. I had been searching online for a particular pair of glasses and found them online at Island Eyecare. I thought this company would be a safer bet because they are Canadian. I ordered and never received a confirmation email, but my credit card was immediately charged. I phoned and the person answering said the online business is totally separate from the physical store. She said she would call the manager and get right back to me. In the end, I called 5 times asking for a refund and each time was told that I would get a call back. I emailed, I set up an online chat. NOTHING!!! This business lost all credibility and I could no longer trust that they would honour a return if I needed to return. I had to call my credit card company to begin a dispute process. In the end, I was refunded my money. JUST TERRIBLE! read more

Staff are helpful. Prices are solid. Check in on FourSquare for a deal. :)

PRO: My experience with Dr. Narang was very good. She was very friendly, made me feel comfortable and explained everything in terms that was very easy to understand. It was a long overdue eye exam. I purchased new frames with what I thought was with the help of one of the staff who I was told by Dr. Narang are "all professionals". CON: I liked the way they looked but I told her they seemed too big for my face. She said that's not a problem cause they can be adjusted, so I went with that. Well yesterday was the FOURTH time in less than two months since I picked up my glasses that I've had to go back to have them for "ADJUSTMENTS". 1st. time - too loose, 2nd. time - too tight behind both ears, 3rd. time - too tight behind one ear so much so it made a raw sore, 4th. time - so loose they're sliding down my nose every time I lower my head. Also she changed the pads on the frames that go behind the ears and they are thinner, flimsy, slide back and forth and are rough on the edges where it pulls out my hair when I take them off, It seems to me I'm going from bad to worse to ridiculous. I have NEVER in all the decades of wearing glasses had problems like this and to tell you the truth I don't know what to do now. I'm not going back there again, but I can't wear them the way they are. The frames are good quality and I have progressive lens so these were not cheap. I'm 72 yrs. old and five trips back and forth are about four too many. I believe Dr. Narang needs to know the way I feel about how I've been treated. No one deserves to be treated like this. One VERY UNHAPPY CUSTOMER. read more

I made an appointment here on the previous recommendation and I'm so glad I did. Dr. Narang was extremely nice and personable. She took her time to answer all my questions, explaining everything very thoroughly. Unfortunately, I ended up needing glasses, but the staff that helped me pick out some frames were so pleasant that I actually ended up enjoying the process. They were attentive and patient and made sure that the glasses not only looked good and suited me, but were also a proper fit. They even took pictures of me with different glasses on so I could have a better idea of how I looked in them. I highly recommend them! read more

I had a serious injury to my eye a few months ago. A Victoria physician sent me to Dr. Narang. Dr. Narang examined my eye, wrote a prescription for me and had me come in daily for a week to be sure that the eye was healing properly. I could have had serious permanent damage to that eye, but her treatment plan allowed a full recovery with no scarring or vision damage. Following this treatment, Dr. Narang did a full examination to confirm that I had no damage to my eye and confirmed that my eyes are very healthy. I will recommend her to anyone that needs an eye exam for any reason. She is very knowledgeable in her scope of practice and knows how to educate her patients to their level of understanding. read more