I haven't been to North Bay eye for few years due to insurance change came back to the page to refer my friend to Dr Bartlett. I was his patient for over 10 years. I was in my early 20s diagnosed with a health condition and scared of the new diagnosis. Dr Bartlett was very kind to me and helpful. He referred me to a retinal specialist. He remembered me and my story and he always took great care of me. I am very grateful for the care I received with Dr Bartlett. I see a lot of complaints about wait times, but feel staff was always kind to me the few times he was running behind. read more

I have been going to North Bay Eye for years and they used to have a very long wait time, but things have gotten much better in the last year. Now it feels like a normal wait time and I couldn't be happier. The people are very friendly and professional. I am happy I did not give up on them. read more

Dr Silkiiss is an amazing surgeon. kind and professional and made me feel more relaxed when I met her I hope to get an eye exam and order my reading glasses soon thank you Dr Silkiiss read more

It's a little difficult to find, but the doctors are very good and very thorough. The staff is also great.

I took my friend here today because they were going to dilate her eyes it's been over 2 hours since her appointment time and she still hasn't seen the doctor and the waiting room is packed. She made this appointment back in January and it's now the end of April. I know it's hard to get doctor's appointments these days but this is ridiculous read more

I have tried to make an appointment to have cataract surgery since the middle of February and not one single phone call out of the five that I have made and left information have been returned to me. The last time I called They told me that the person who handles scheduling the surgery had a family emergency. I asked how long she had been out with the emergency and they said 1 week. After I called there office and told them how irresponsible they are I or a call back today while I was leaving my 6th message. They left me a message telling me it will e August before they can do the surgery. They suck. read more

Rushed through appointment, no time to ask a question. I still have a blood shot eye. Doctor was surly.

Terrible delays. Always running really late. No explanations, no warning, no real apologies. And that's after it takes 9months to get an appointment. Competent if you finally get to see someone. read more

I have been going to North Bay Eye Associates for years because I really like Dr. Bartlett. But I am not happy with their service right now. I called the office because I wanted to drop by with some frames to order lenses from an existing prescription. A fairly simple task. But I got an answering machine saying I need to have an appointment. I left a message over an hour ago. No call back. It appears this office no longer appreciates my business. It might be time to look elsewhere. Fast-forward to day two. I left a second message. No call back. Seems they don't need my business. I'm going somewhere else. read more

Dr. Bacharach no longer comes to the Santa Rosa office. I just left after waiting 1/2 hour for my appointment, and was still behind another patient. This is common. My wife had to wait over a half hour for a simple refraction. This place is a patient mill, and they don't care about your time. The only reason I came was for Dr. Bacharach, and he doesn't come to the Santa Rosa office anymore. I would find another eye MD if I were you. My wife and I are going to do just that. read more

I was referred to NorthBay Eye Institute for Cataracs in both eyes. It was approximately a 6-8 week wait but, It was worth it. The Drs. are awesome! Had an emergency on a Sunday and they were there. They came into the office and fixed me right up. I will continue to go back for my eye needs. Thanks Dr. Bartlett. read more

I was diagnosed with Graves Eye Disease and my endocrinologist referred me to a specific Opthamologist at this practice in June. After calling several times to make an appointment with the opthamologist who had experience with the therapy I needed and treating my disease, I was told that I had to see another doctor in this practice first who would try to evaluate me, and then I could possibly get an appointment to see the Dr. I needed. I would have to wait until October, however. I made the appointment, hoping I could find someone else in the meantime. The day before my appointment I was exposed to Covid, so I called to change it and was told it was okay, I could come in anyway. !! I asked what the protocol was in the office and the receptionist on the phone said there wasn't one. ! ! Given the fact that I am immune compromised that really bothered me. I looked at their website and found no reference to any Covid protocol, nothing about masks. I did reschedule for November tho, given how long I had been waiting, but in the end decided it wasn't worth the risk. After I cancelled that appointment I did receive a couple of calls asking if I would like to reschedule, and saw that suddenly Covid was on their radar again and they professed concern for patient safety, but given my experience I wasn't willing to take any chances. read more

I never got to see Dr Bartlett. I made an appointment months ago, and went there today. A smirking young receptionist said they had called to reschedule the appointment. I looked up on my phone; there was a single message from two months ago that I had missed. They have my email and home address, or they could have texted. Apparently you get a one and done phone message, and a derisive grin from staff for your trouble. Avoid. read more

I switched eye doctors and happy with the way they care for you as a patient. Dr. Jason Baccarac is the best. Only wish I would have found them soonor read more

They know why.if you have an appointment,make sure they don't decide to cancel it without your knowledge to accommodate someone else

I did NOT want to come here a 2nd time... but the facility had done my initial testing, obtained my yearly exam results, therefore I felt financial pressure to return... only to finish what was started. I've had contacts/glasses for over 20 years to treat mono-vision, and night-blindness... so I'm pretty aware as to how long an eye exam typically takes, and how knowledgeable the staff are. My initial visit here was extremely frustrating, at best. I checked in at my scheduled time... but the wait, to have my eye exam was ridiculously long. I'm not talking a 20 minute wait... I'm talking an hour! I was literally about to request my copay back and leave, but just as I had reached my patience limit, I was called back for the exam. The exam was done by a tech... who was less than friendly. She was so quiet, and unanimated- I thought she was the doctor. (I work with a few who lack a great bedside manner). This particular tech didn't tell me 'anything', which is unusual. Normally I'm told what my eyesight is... is it the same? Worse? Unfortunately, I was told none of that. After the eye exam, I was seated back in the waiting room, now waiting to see the actual doctor. I waited about 45 more minutes, inquiring twice with the front desk, as to how much longer I would be waiting. They didn't know. This was soooo frustrating. FINALLY- I was called back, only to be put in a room, to have to wait AGAIN. I had not anticipated a 3 hour eye exam. I was certain this was to be my last visit. On my return visit, the only issue I had was that I had to pay another copay- for the follow up from the first visit. Meaning... this all could have, and should have been done the first time around. That being said... I was shocked, and pleasantly surprised at the speed, and professionalism I experienced on the return visit. I paid my copay, was asked to have a seat in the same- terrible waiting room I had loathed only 2 months prior. I thought, "oh geaze... here we go again"... and honestly, I walked in with kinda a dreadful attitude, asking immediately how far behind is the doctor, in the event I wanted to leave... rather than wait. I was seen right away by a tech who performed a visual field test, then was seen by another technician who performed a quick eye exam... was asked to wait again in the lobby- but soon after... the doctor called me back, and verbally gave me a through rundown of the results. So- what I can suggest is this: DO NOT schedule your appointments after the lunch hour!!! I think the first time I came here, everyone was tired, rushed, and far behind the schedule. A morning appointment eliminates this possibility, and your visit will go much smoother. read more

North Bay Eye Associates - Empty waiting room... but still over a 2+ hour wait! - Optometrists Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

The appointment time was 45 min after my scheduled time, and when I asked the receptionist when I would be seen, I was given a nasty response. The exam itself was conducted well but the unfriendly staff was not comforting. I was not supposed to have been charged and had to contact my insurance company on multiple occasions to have the charges and bills stopped. The issue has still been ongoing and if an individual is not supposed to be charged, the doctor office knows this, charges them anyway, that seems to be a bad practice of ethics. No one has time to wait extra time past their appointment (that is why appointments are made), call their insurance company multiple times, and contact the doctor's office also. I have to work too and am at a complete loss of how this office is ran. read more

I was referred to this facility by my primary care physician to check and see if my eyesight has been damaged due to other medical issues. I made an appointment for my foreign born wife as well as it had been several years since her last eye exam and new glasses in her home country. We were both ushered into the exam room and were seen by Dr. Emil Shieh. He was patient and understanding as my wife is not yet fluent with English and was apprehensive about having her eyes examined. I would highly recommend this doctor to anyone needing the skills of a competent optometrist. read more

Holy cow I don't think I've ever had an appointment this bad anywhere, ever. First, they charged me for the wrong thing, the receptionist charged me even when I said no that's not the procedure I'm getting, she insisted it was and the doctor had to come out three times to get her to give me a refund, and she then pouted and was rude to me and dehumanizing in response for her mistake. She also told me I wouldn't get drops and immediately the doctor said he needed to do drops. Like how incompetent and rude can you be? But then the doctor himself insisted on doing a test and when I indicated I couldn't do it due to past trauma he forcefully grabbed the back of my head three times and insisted I try to do it anyway. I feel violated and unsafe and disrespected by both doctor and staff after that. Then after more procedures it was all for nothing and they gave no diagnosis and blamed me that they couldn't do their test while my head was being shoved into a face grip by a man and I might as well have not come in. Terrible COVID precautions too, masks under people's noses, locked in closed rooms with people, no ventilation, no face shields, very weak cleaning of surfaces different patients were using over and over with their faces. But most of all horrific bedside manner and totally inappropriate behavior. read more

I have been a patient of North Bay Eye in Santa Rosa for over 20 years and always had a great experience for the most part but this past week working with them has been completely impossible. I have been waiting to get information since last week and had to physically drive to there office to find out why I can't get an answer the older Hispanic woman in the front checking patients in to go in the office was no where near helpful, rude, and to be honest lazy. She was extremely short and absolutely didn't want to help which was extremely frustrating. She has absolutely no customer service experience whatsoever. My family will no longer be going here after this due to the treatment I received just to answer a simple question. Thanks for nothing. read more

Thank the Gods for Michelle (I don't know her last name) at NBEA Optical in Santa Rosa! She FIXED my favorite sunglasses, limited edition MDG's that I've had forever (always been my UBER fave on top of being irreplaceable)! I've been debilitated without them this week, suffering from sleep loss, binge drinking, spontaneously crying. Truth be told, it's a miracle I've been able to maintain some level of coherence at all. HUGE props to you Michelle at NBEA, you've ended my anguish and despair! read more

North Bay Eye Associates - Santa Rosa NBEA office location - Optometrists Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

The office looks like it hasn't been remodeled since 1970. They look 6 weeks to get my eye glass frames in and then they were wrong color. I won't be back again. read more

This was my first experience at a optometrist and i must say it was a damn good first impression. The doctor i saw, I believe Dr.Louie was fantastic! She was friendly and thorough. She explained every part of the visit as it happened and made me feel very comfortable. After seeing her, i went to the optical dept to pic out frames and the lovely woman there was very helpful in assisting me with choosing frames. I didn't feel rushed and she even found some awesome frames in Raider colors for me based on the raiders shirt i was wearing! Thank you all for your help. read more

Had my eyes checked at a different office in December and benefits changed in January, so I selected North Bay Eye Associates as the place where I would purchase my frames and lenses. The process was great. I was a walk-in off the street and was welcomed and treated warmly. The receptionists were very helpful when I realized I didn't have my prescription with me, and made sure they were able to get it faxed from my previous provider's office while I was looking at frames The woman who helped me was excellent and new exactly what would work and how I could get the most bang for my insurance dollar. My glasses arrived a week earlier than expected, and they are perfect! I have transition lenses that get BLACK -- I didn't think it possible. And the frames fit me well (I have a very small face, so they brought out the child size frames for me). These are real people who are professional and work well together. I highly recommend them. read more

I highly recommend the doctors who are excellent ophthalmologists. However the staff are not professional nor caring of their patients. I left a message to request for a prescription of my eye drops if it could be called in to my pharmacy but they never did. I called to follow-up but it's over a week now that no prescription has been sent to the pharmacy. If the staff cares of their patients they'll be reminding the doctors to do it. But they don't care about the needs of their patients. They can't empathize what the patients are undergoing through. There is so much staff in this clinic that the right hand does know what the left hand is doing. I have never experienced such inefficiency nor neglect from any of my doctors. This is my first time ever for my phone calls and request for eye drops to be totally ignored. Even if the doctors are good, I would not trust them to take care of me again because I'd be abandoned by their staff for what I need. I just went to another ophthalmologist and I got the respect and care from everyone not only the doctor because they give value to their patients. read more

Dear Dr. Bacharach and Associates, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! I have received one of the best Christmas presents anyone could EVER receive... the gift of sight! It is just 24 hours after your magnificent team operated on my eye and my vision is better now than ever in my life. May you and your whole team along with their families keep up the great work you do for years to come. read more

On multiple occasions, I've had to wait over 20 min for my scheduled appointment. When I've asked why the wait, I get a very snotty reply. If the doctor is running late, let me know. Respect the fact that I've taken time off work to arrive on time, and I expect my appointment to start when it was scheduled. If there is an emergency, let me know you've bumped my appointment, and I will understand the wait. But poor front counter customer service skills are a quick way to sour me towards your business. While the optometrists in the office seem competent, the front staff (one woman in particular) can be quite unpleasant. After a few unfriendly encounters with the "office manager", I will take my business to a place where I'm treated with respect. read more

I've been going to North Bay Eye Associates for over twenty years. I started with Doctor Archambeau, switched to Doctor Ulmer when Doc Archambeau retired and am now with Doctor Bartlett since Doc Ulmer retired. Doc Bartlett had helped me a few times when the other doctors were unavailable on short notice, so I was familiar with him when it was time to pick my third doctor within the office. I cannot imagine going anywhere else for my eye care. Doctor Bartlett is simply the best ever, but everyone there maintains the highest standards and I am extremely grateful for all these years of superlative care. The Santa Rosa office is not a drive-through burger place, so yes, one must wait one's turn. I, for one, am happy to do so. I had used various "quick and easy" eye care providers before finding these folks. That seemed good enough until a glaucoma test came up as a possible positive result, and that's when the benefits of having an eye care facility that could handle everything from routine vision tests to critical surgery needs became apparent. One of the fringe benefits of seeing Doc Bartlett, a small thing but not to be despised, is that he is immensely kind. Highest level of competence, effective and efficient, kindly and concerned. What's not to like? read more

Had to get a refund for a prescription that was completely wrong. Both eyes!!! The eyeglass /lense selection is way way over priced. Ended up having to be re-examed elsewhere and got frames and lenses for half what they were asking at North Bay. Overheard a conversation in the glass selection area that made me uncomfortable. The sweet woman who wanted to get new glasses was treated very poorly because she expressed concern for the prices and payment. For a eye glass place that caters to older adults, some on very limited budgets, they should be more sensitive. read more

Worst experiance in a Doctor's office! On our first appointment, the receptionist greeted me with a rude gesture and glance while I was waiting to be called up to the recpetionist desk (the gesture said: "why are you waiting when there is nobody in front of you"). In my experiance, it's just common courtesy to wait, even if there are no patients ahead of you, since the receptionist may be finishing up on something you are unaware of. I already knew I did not like this place, but since my father needed cataract surgery we continued. On our follow up visit after my father's cataract surgery, the same receptionist told us to pay a a little over $1000 for the precedure while we were trying to check in for the appointmnet. We never recieved the bill and had no knowledge that we owed that amount. The receptionist came off aggressive like we were trying to get out of paying for the procedure. They claim to have sent us a bill. If they did, nobody in the household knew about it. We eventually paid over $2,000 for his procedure. We were sent another bill for $750 for the anesthesiologist.. why was it not included in the first bill? I guess it's done through a different company? I have no idea. Am I the only one who thinks their billing is more complicated than it needs to be? They told us to come back in a few months. We of course, did not go back. Apart from the receptionist who clearly does not know how to behave properly in a hospital setting: the facility and equipment seems outdated, they are always very busy, the doctor performs extra tests without clear communication or costs and always seems like he is just trying to get out of the room and onto the next patient. Please, go somewhere else. A Doctors office is probably one of most vulnerable places you can go, you don't need to be ridiculed while you are there. read more

I see Dr. Andersen. He is awesome! I used to see him in the Healdsburg office growing up and yesterday was my first time at the Santa Rosa office. The receptionist was nice and friendly, she greeted me right when I walked in the door. They called me in less than 2 minutes after I sat down in the lobby. Dr. Andersen took his time, was very thorough with my history and the exam. I would recommend anyone to him for their eye care. We live in Petaluma and North Bay Eye has an office here, but I drive to Santa Rosa to continue my care with him. Well worth it! read more

I made an appointment with Dr. Bartlett in Sonoma for a few things, mainly floaters, increasingly poor vision during the pandemic and to check a solar lentigo in my eye. I waited for two months for this appt. Long wait, first the assistant came in and performed a few checks, but when she got to the glaucoma check; I had a hard time keeping my eyes open. She was clearly irritated by that; so she slowly, mechanically put on gloves so she could hold my eyes open. Never said a word but was visibly hating her job and her patients. Next, comes the specialist, dr. Bartlett, no greeting. He was pissed that my condition wasn't "acute", well, how could it be when I waited two months for the appt. No, I wouldn't go there again, didn't even get my prescription for new glasses so I can see, he said we have to take care of the acute issues first. Fire the girl who is very unfriendly and dr. B get a new attitude; your current one really leaves a lot to be desired. Merron read more

Moved to the area last year and was in need of an eye exam. I have a family history of diabetes and I am over 40. So I like to be examined by a REAL doctor and not just and O.D. I was seen by Dr. Bartlett. He was very nice and thorough. His staff is efficient and helpful. The only thing I didn't care for was that his MA did the prescription portion of my eye exam. I, generally, think the doctor should do that portion as well as the eye exam. Not that I didn't get a good reading from the MA or the correct prescription, I just think that having "M.D." at the end of your name makes me feel better and more satisfied. I didn't have much of a change in Rx and Dr. Bartlett advised that I could get away with the current Rx in my glasses (instead of spending $100's of dollars on new glasses). I was very happy (and surprised!) that Dr. Bartlett didn't try to push me toward spending a lot of money on glasses if I didn't need to - So I decided to use my insurance benefit for a nice pair pf sunglasses from the on-site optical center. I got beautiful sunglasses and great care from both staffs. I would highly recommend this practice to anyone!!! ***I also had a pair of glasses (that I didn't buy from NBEA) that needed an adjustment and new nose pieces. The staff was kind enough to adjust my glasses and replace the nose pad for free. I have been back twice for adjustments and I really like the staff in the optical center!!! read more

North Bay Eye Associates is an eye care factory. Their aim is to hustle as many patients through in a day as is possible. The refractions are done by technicians who are not MDs or ODs. After the refraction and eye dilation, you are seen by one of the doctors for a few minutes. If you need glasses you are ushered into the onsite glasses store. I use progressive lenses, so I was measured for them and a week later was told they were ready. The glasses were wrong. The alignment was way off and they didn't give me the brand I requested, Varilux. They decided to check the refraction again. The first one was wrong, so I was measured for a new pair with the new refraction. This was done by a different technician and these glasses too were not right. The third remake was better, but it was still off. The center of focus was shifted to the left. When I took them back, I dealt with a still a third person who decided that I was at fault. They refused to remake them, so I got my money back. I never dealt with the same person twice during this fiasco. I've been wearing progressive lenses since 1985 and have had to have a pair remade only once before. Given the fact that the first refraction was wrong and that I never dealt with the same technician twice,and the fact that refractions are not done by doctors plus not getting a satisfactory pair of glasses, I have to give North Bay Eye Associates a Thumbs Down. My wife had a similar experience with North Bay Eye. read more

This review is for north bay 0ptical, housed in the same building as the eye doctor's. When I was here last time, about a year ago, I had 2 different people wait on me. The one I wanted, who I knew from before, was already late for lunch & left. So I was stuck with this young, hefty gal, who was so new, she didn't know what to do? So even though we spent a lot of time on the details, she still didn't get it. Just to show you how ignorant this rotund bimbo really was, she even asked me for my social security number out loud in public, with people sitting within earshot at the next table! Consequently, the bonehead ordered the wrong lens for me, which I could tell especially when watching tv. One of my eyes requires a special lens on one side, due to an eye injury I had some time ago. This has always been done right before, but not here now by her. So I had to bring back my glasses, & wait Another 2 weeks for the right lens to be put in. It's bad enough when the overpriced frames become obsolete every 3, instead of every 5 years now. That means there's no guarantee that they can still make the lenses for them in the old frames, even if you don't want new ones. But the worst part of all is when some idiot can't even follow direct, explicit instructions. Business as usual, especially in this region. read more

I am finding another eye doctor after this visit. After waiting 50 minutes past my appointment time, I was brought into a room and asked a couple of questions about my eyes by an assistant, then I was taken into another "waiting" area where people were literally siting 2 feet from each other. I have been waiting in this area an additional 20 minutes, and there is still 3 people ahead of me. The offices are dank and dirty. One should not get grossed out over a doctor's office. read more

Oh man, soooooooo slow. 3 hours for my daughter's annual eye exam and that didn't include the additional time at the optical department to actually order the glasses. Who has that kind of time these days? Never again. read more

The worst receptionist there. I called at about 445 to see what their hours were and was put on hold for 15 minutes. She could have just told me they were closed instead of keeping me on hold for 15 minutes. And they're not the friendliest people at all. The medical assistant and optometrist are nice people. But the front end receptionist are not a group of friendly or personable people at all. I've been going here for the last 4 years and regret not finding another eye dr sooner. I had to wait at least an hour a few times before ever seeing a doctor. I just can't stand the front desk people. Seriously she chose the wrong profession. Maybe she should have chosen to become a sewage or sanitation worker where she doesn't have to deal with people. Your frontline represents who you are and clearly they are doing a horrible job in the customer service department. This review was a long time coming. I've had it with this place. I'd rather drive the extra mile than having to deal with the hags in the front desk. read more

I have to add to the list of negative reviews here......the receptionist was very sweet but that's the only positive thing I have to say. I arrived on time for my appointment (yes, leaving work and making a concerted effort just like the others that gave reviews here) and was left sitting in the crowded, dingy waiting room for 45 minutes. I agree that if staff had at least acknowledged my presence and offered some excuse, perhaps I would be more understanding. Not only will I not return to this office, but I was left with a lousy enough impression that I felt others should be warned with what they can expect. read more

In a series of mixed reviews I am one of those who had a very negative experience. I had an eyelash in my eye that was irritating and I needed a doctor just to remove the eyelash. My eyes are healthy and I did not need or want any other treatment. Dr. Ahn managed to make an eyelash turn into an almost $500 event. I had to have what he called an "exam" which consisted ONLY his assistant having me read the letters on the chart. That cost $110. I said I didn't need an exam but his excuse had to do with medical ethics. I could have had glaucoma and he'd never have found that out by his "eye exam". Then Dr. Ahn removed the eyelash which took about one minute. So these days, getting an eyelash taken out of your eye costs $263 at North Bay Eye Associates. Then, Dr. Ahn recommended a topical antibiotic to make sure it didn't get infected. At the pharmacy I discovered that the antibiotics he prescribed cost about $250 and the fine print indicated some horrible side effects having to do with one's vision. I've never had an eye infection from having an eyelash in my eye before so chose not to get the topical antibiotic and it was fine. I would NEVER go to this doctor again. read more