Met with Dr. Klaren for my eye exam and was very pleased with her professionalism as well as her ability to be personable. She was very thorough, explaining each step of the exam, from vision testing to eye health. I wouldn't hesitate to use her in the future and highly recommend her care! Only issue was the attempted hard sell by the glasses rep during the visit. But very very pleased with Dr. Klaren!!! read more

Horrible service. No care for their patients. This is the 4th time this clinic cancels my mother's appointment. The first time at this office, she took time off for an appointment that was canceled on the spot. The moment she walked into their office she received their call that they canceled. Fine, she rescheduled, she planned her day around the second try, they cancel. She had another one scheduled for early June ( months after the initial appointment) and cancel so THEY reschedule for her on a day she's not a available and even that one they cancel, after she had rearranged her schedule for that appointment. This is unacceptable, to keep canceling and rescheduling appointments they have no intentions on keeping. This office is a very unprofessional and inconsiderate of their patients. Unfortunately, this is the type of "health care" that we're all stuck with. read more

North County Eye Center - Voice mail canceling my appointment for the 4th time - Optometrists Near Me - San Marcos, California

Poor customer service. Cancels appointments frequently and then can't reschedule for months

I have been going to this ophthalmologist for a long time...just moved his office to Nordahl Rd...which is closer to my house....always have had good care with him...the office staff is great and always helpful...I go once a year for a checkup..... read more

Very good service (Poway location). All the staff was very friendly and helpful. Especially liked the doctors. Knowledgeable and good at explaining exam results. read more

An excellent practice for all aspects and types of eye care. They operate on schedule, the front desk staff is very cordial and efficient, the waiting room comfortable, the medical staff excellent, and the eyeglass technician very skilled, friendly, and knowledgeable. read more

Rarely if ever have I left an appointment feeling so totally satisfied, happy, and confident of my treatment. Dr. Kapner is very, very cutting edge in his knowledge and work. He explained everything in simple terms and made sure I totally understood everything Also, he made certain that any questions I had were asked and answered. His staff was very helpful, pleasant and professional. I felt like I mattered, as a patient and a human being. read more

Very welcoming & helpful place. From the ladies at the front desk welcoming you with a smile to the staff in the back very kind and helpful.

New glasses gave me the best vision I have ever had. Also, I spend a lot of time in front of a computer, and Dr Amini suggested special glasses for computer work. They are amazing, I don't want to use a computer with regular glasses any more. read more

Unprofessional, lazy, and uneducated front office staff. I called to make an appointment with Dr. Omens, an Ophthalmologist! The person that took my call told me that Dr. Omens had no appointments available for 3 months. I had been having problems with my vision and had just recently seen my own OPTOMETRIST, my OD advised that if I continued to have problems to see an Ophthalmologist, not another OD. I asked if they had another ophthalmologist available that I could see sooner than 3 months, and they said yes and gave me an appointment with Dr. Samuels. The appointment was thorough enough in the beginning with the techs, but when I sat down with Dr. Samuels, after reviewing my retina scans she immediately told me she was going to refer me to a specialist, and did no additional testing and managed to put the fear of God in me, telling me that I might be a risk for an "eye stroke". The front office did make the appointment for me with a specialist, three weeks down the road. That doctor was amazing and relieved my fears completely. His office did comprehensive testing and so did he during my appointment. So two appointments weeks apart, and two co-pays later, I find out that there is nothing seriously wrong other than aging eyes. But here's the kicker, I couldn't seem to wrap my head around the fact that Dr. Samuels did none of her own testings, after all, (I thought) I was having an appointment with a medical doctor since I specifically asked for an Ophthalmologist! Dr. Samuels is an OD, not an Ophthalmologist. Now I feel bad for thinking she wasn't doing her job or acting on my best behalf, and she actually was! She felt the issue was beyond her expertise as an OD and rightfully gave me a referral. So beware when you talk to the front office at this facility when attempting to make appointments. Both OD and Ophthalmologists work in this office and their front staff doesn't know the difference between the two!! My apologies to Dr. Samuels for thinking, in my head, that she was careless with my needs and concerns. read more

Low key snobbery going on here. You can tell the people who work here hate their job and dislike their patients. The front desk said one thing and optometry desk says another they like to play the blame game. And send you back-and-forth. It's really to bad it's a very nice office with lots of choices of nice glasses. I ended up just getting my prescription and leaving to buy my glasses somewhere else after being treated rudely. I won't ever be returning. read more

When you call it take a long to to get someone on the phone and then the front desk does not even know the answer. Also I paid for an exam and another $60.00 extra for a contact fitting and they changed nothing just gave me another prescription that was the same and my other one was still good for three months. read more

It seems to me that, as patients, if we make an appt for first thing in the morning that the doctor should be there on time. This has been a continuing issue at NC Eye Center. I always schedule for the first appointment of the day so I can get in and out. It's very frustrating when you watch the staff and doctors stroll in 20 minutes after your scheduled appointment. I've tried end of day appointments but then I get to sit in the waiting room for an hour because they are so backed up, albeit because they can't get there on time in the morning. read more

I just had cataract removal surgery the other day performed by Dr. Kapner. Wow! Great service from the first time I visited to my follow-up appointment. Dr. Kapner is a true professional that keeps you in the know. I am more than happy with this establishment. read more

If I could give ZERO stars, I would. I had my first appointment with North County Eye Center (Poway location) on 5/4/2022 and it was a HORRIBLE experience. Dr. Lau was the doctor I saw, she was 45 minutes late into the exam room, never said "hi" or addressed the delay in a friendly or goodwill manner. Before the exam began, I mentioned something to her, in a friendly manner, about the long wait which only made her defensive and sarcastic. She was less concerned about my medical issue and was all about "proving me wrong" over meaningless details. She is so unprofessional, unethical in her medical practice and frankly totally immature. I'm sure this practice has competent doctors....avoid Dr. Lau. read more

Called a few days ago about a $600 prescription and no one ever got back to me. After a few days I called back to let them know my eye had gotten worse and that I need to come in. The lady on the phone must not know how to handle a situation like this. Instead she transferred me to a very rude lady who asked in a very rude way what my problem was after I just got done explaining to the First Lady. And then she proceeded to ask me what they want me to do. So I told them I would like to come in and see a new doctor. At this point I was frustrated after being put on hold and no one getting back to me after I've called about my prescription, the rude lady proceeded to get an attitude after I expressed why I was frustrated. Just a poor lack of customer service and just respect. read more

I had a tree splinter lodged in my eye from an accident. North County Eye Center schedules me immediately to see Dr. Tara Brown and I was a first time patient. The staff were very kind and helpful. Dr. Tara Brown was extraordinary. She was professional, and patient with my numerous questions. She and Melissa performed the surgery on my eye with constant communication on my comfort level. The best part is my eye completely healed with no damage whatsoever to my vision; all credit to Dr. Brown and the staff at North County Eye Center. read more

1 Star is more then they deserve first off. I took my 80 year old grandmother here for her follow up appointment with Dr. Omens. I have never in my life experienced a doctor to be so rude and condescending to a patient in my life, and I work in the health care field. I am glad I was there to step in when the borderline verbal abuse began. Dr. Omens did not show any compassion or care for my elderly grandmother in his approach with her. The way my grandmother was treated in my presence horrifies me to think she has come here by herself in the past, and to think of how she may have been treated during those appointments. I came to her appointment this time because she was confused with her care and post op instructions and I wanted to make sure we were on the same page with care. Her paperwork that she was given had multiple areas crossed out and written over which is why she was confused, the office changed directions and failed to provide a clean clear sheet of instructions for her. Dr. Omens and staff should be ashamed of themselves and should expect a call from the Medical board after I file my complaint about the care my grandmother received by this office. Do yourself a favor and go elsewhere where you will be properly cared for and not robbed by their outrageous prices for services. Dr. Garrick Sit at Escondido Optometrix is where I have gone for over 10 years and is where I will be taking my grandmother for a second opinion. read more

I went there for years, seeing both the optometrist and Dr. Kapner, an ophthalmologist. One morning, I developed severe eye irritation after swimming in a chlorinated pool. Coincidently, I had an optometrist appointment early that morning. The optometrist was not in when I got there, so I asked to be seen by an ophthalmologist on an emergency basis. The front desk person refused my request because it would put their schedule behind. I discussed the event with Dr. Kapner at my next appointment and he supported the front desk person. That was my last appointment there. I am much happier with the Integrity Eye Clinic in Escondido. read more

I received excellent customer service on three occasions with a wonderful agent. Cannot speak highly enough of her. The issue was when I got a surprise bill after having been told there was no-cost/ no co-pay by this agent. Given that I had been there twice before, enough trust was established that I did not confirm with my insurance. I can completely understand human error, and I believe the error was not intentional...but when I called about the surprise bill, the two persons in charge of billing, including Christine Murphy and another person (Monty? not sure of the name) were incredibly condescending and dismissive saying they could not believe I was calling about a $15.00 bill. Ms. Murphy told me this was the "weirdest call" she had gotten in a long time. Very sad that they have now lost a customer over a $15.00 bill. Transparency and taking responsibility when you have given customers misinformation is a sign of integrity and ethics. Unfortunately I found none here. Be it 15 cents or 1500 dollars, I expect to trust my service providers and to not be condescended to, laughed at, or dismissed. When I asked to speak to the owner and asked when I might expect a call back, Ms. Murphy laughed and said she didn't know, that he was very busy tending to customers, and that calling a customer over a $15.00 bill was not high on his priority list. That may be the case for you, but trust, integrity, and ethics are SUPER HIGH on my priority list. read more

Hands down the Best in all of San Diego ! I've never come across a place with such heart and passion for the industry as this place right here . Ulcer in both eyes and went almost completely blind . I was able to call that morning and get in by noon , what other place can do this ? This is what separates the rest to the best ! Dr T , and Monty took time to explain everything , never have I met two people who love what they do ... Thank you so very much I once was blind but now I see this place has the best deals on the best name brands ! read more

I've been coming here for about 15 years now. You might have to wait as long as an hour on busy days here, but it's entirely worth it with the service Dr. Tornatore and staff provide. He is so thorough, professional, patient, kind, skillful and just awesome. I've never felt rushed during appointments with him. You're definitely in good hands here. He has this air about him that seems like he's had at least 50 years of experience, yet he only looks 30. His prescriptions for me are always accurate. You can tell he really cares about his patients, honestly. I highly recommend him. read more

Horrible place. Called ahead and set it up where I could lay in the car until my appointment. I have severe chronic pain. I can't sit or stand. They told me to come up. Then it was 40 minutes later I saw the assistants, then 50 minutes before seeing the Dr. The Dr stated that that was the best they could do. Their whole office was extremely rude. Rancho Bernardo office was quite accommodating and very nice. I will go there. I just thought since this was closer it would be better. Go to RB the difference is like night and day!! read more

Wow! I first called and spoke to a girl who scheduled appointments and she was very knowledgeable and so glad she was because then I was scheduled with the appropriate "Doc". I needed to schedule an appointment for my daughter, she usually see's a Pediatric Specialist for her eyes and I knew the specialist needed to be an Ophthalmologist. GO SEE DR. PANSARA for all your kids needs, she is amazing, can't say enough!! read more

On the morning we were to go be with our daughter in the hospital. as she was to deliver our grand baby by emergency c-section, my husband and I were startled by our alarm at 5:30 am. He jumped out of bed and fell into a very sharp corner table. He injured his eye and the blood was filling up his eyeball. We rushed him to the emergency room at Pomerado Hospital worried that his cornea had be impacted. The wonderful doctor at Pomerado examined him and said she thought he would be ok, and she referred him to Dr. Lillian Lee at N. County Eye Center. She said she felt it would be ok for me to go be with our daughter. When I was able, I called my husband to give him an update and to see how he was doing. No answer. I called again, this time he sounded flustered, mumbled something and hung up. I realized he was probably with the doctor. Later, when he arrived at the hospital to be with our family and our new granddaughter (!), he related this story to me: "When you called, I was with Dr. Lee. She was typing on her computer. I looked at her as she did not look up, and decided not to answer. The second time you called, I told her that you and I have an agreement (because of business meetings, etc.) that whenever you call twice in a row, I need to answer because it means you need to talk to me no matter what. I asked if it would be ok to answer and she said 'No you cannot. I realize your daughter is having a baby, but we are in a consultation and you are on MY time. Your wife should know that.' " Really??? Was your consultation FREE??? Did we not PAY you for your service as a physician??? You were on OUR time as a paid service person! I have NEVER ever written a yelp review...good or bad. I considered going in to your office to tell you how horrible what you did was, but decided I should help others to not have to go through the experience we had to endure. What you did was horrible, egregious and completely devoid of compassion. Your bedside manner needs serious work. I would avoid this eye center at all cost. In my experience, staff in any place of service or retail establishment is a reflection of whoever is at "the top". In other words, if Dr. Lee is the proprietor, her staff will be equally devoid of compassion. This is a sad statement for someone who is supposed to be a CARE GIVER. read more

I wish I could give the place negative stars. I have never been more frustrated with an optometrist in all of my 18 years of needing glasses and contacts. After paying over $150 on top of my insurance coverage, I walked out with a pair of glasses that I was completely not satisfied with. They made sure to sell me on all of these optional lens coatings, which I paid out the butt for, along with poly-carbonate lenses to reduce thickness. Glasses come in (I had to call to even know they were there), I look at the lenses and they are double the thickness of my old glasses! I ask the extremely rude redhead what was up, only for them to figure out they messed up and I would need to send the glasses BACK another week. Why should I be inconvenienced by their shortsightedness. When I asked if they could get this expedited and the glasses overnighted, I was laughed at and told no. And this wasn't even the worst of my experience! I had to make a separate appointment if I wanted contacts, so I made the appointment for Dec 1. When I went today to pick up my glasses, they tried to weasel me into paying the $85 exam fee two weeks before the actual appointment. I have never had a place ask me to pay in advance for an appointment. I was told this was so they could "have everything ready". Everything is already ready! Trial pairs of contacts are kept in stock, so why are you trying to get my money now? Rest assured I will NOT be showing up to my contact exam on the 1st. I will never come back to this place again. I recommend everyone take your business elsewhere unless you like being talked down to like a child, laughed at, and spending money for services and products you will not receive. I am so disgusted with this place that this is my first yelp review! So mad that I felt a strong need to review this place. read more

Have been coming here for a while and seeing Dr. Tornatore who was great and is now gone. Today's appointment was the fastest I have ever had - a quick health screening and a "which line can you see on the chart." Then at the glasses counter as soon as I said no to new glasses and wanted contacts on my insurance they were completely uninterested. I had not been given the form explaining the contact lens fitting fee which I should have gotten before the appointment so they had to go get it and have me sign it. The woman did a terrible job of explaining my benefits and the costs. When I finally figured the costs out for myself and was ready to go ahead with getting the contact lens through the insurance I was told it was too late - she'd already charged my credit card the full cost for the fitting so I couldn't get my prescription filled. I won't be returning. read more

I had the exact same problems as the previous reviewer. They gave me my exam, then ordered some samples, then made me try on the samples, then come back and check the samples, (which sucked btw). They did this with me 2x! Finally I told them I just wanted to go back to the exact same brand/type of contacts I previously wore.. yet they STILL made me come back! This office is literally a couple of BLOCKS from my home.. yet I wasted more time dealing with them than I ever have ANYWHERE else. Not to mention that they will randomly close down the office earlier than stated hours! Why in the world didn't I check yelp first?!? It would have saved me a LOT of wasted time and some serious aggravation!! read more

So here I am, blind as a bat as the saying goes, and there is NCEC! My vision changes OFTEN, so Lasik is not an option. This leaves me with an often frustrating situation and Dr. T, who has the patience of a saint and a sense of humor that relieves me of my frustration. I have been a patient at NCEC since they opened their doors, first with Dr. Chennell, then, when her specified area changed, with Dr. T. I don't know what I would do without them! read more

Love NCEC!! The service is professional, super friendly & accommodating! We have been going for several years and have always been extremely happy with our experience! Can't imagine "seeing" anyone but Dr T for our eye care!! read more

This is the BEST eye Doctor/office experience I have ever had, no joke. Dr. Marty Tornatore was so thorough and experienced and kind. After he finished my exam, gave me a new prescription that actually suited my eyes, (as opposed to the basic Costco eye exams I have had the last five years where they pretty much just said "Oh your eyes haven't changed, here is the same ill-fitting contacts you've had for years), Dr. Tornatore explained why the contacts I used to wear were bothering me (they didn't even fit my eyes correctly) and suggested a different kind which I tested for two weeks and they are AMAZING. My eyesight feels completely renewed and I am so happy with the entire experience. The staff were all so friendly too. But Dr. T is the best, for sure. read more

No respect for other people's time. Always at least a 30 minute wait to be seen every time I go in. No idea why they even make "appointments" it doesn't matter if you had a scheduled appointment, you'll be seen whenever they can get around to you. read more

Dr Marty Tornatore is an incredible Eye Care specialist..... He has a wonderful way of reaching out, listening and caring for his patients. Why is he a specialist....well.... because there are few that actually care at the level he cares. His questions that he asks his patients allows him to make sure that every need is met. Anyone in North county should consider visiting Dr "T".... You will be totally satisfied. He is also fun, light "hearted" and yet caring. I will never forget what he did for me. If you and I have the pleasure of meeting in person, I will personally tell you special story about how he helped me one day in a way that few eye doctors would. read more

This was my first time visiting the North County Eye Center in Escondido and the entire experience was excellent. I had a 1:15 appointment with Dr. Morse and I was seen on time. Dr. Morse was very professional and I felt that the eye exam and testing were quick and complete. He discussed my eye health and showed me pictures of my inner eye. After the exam I was escorted to the eyeglass center where I was given an estimate of what my glasses would cost with all the options and was presented with my new prescription. No pressure to purchase glasses at that time. I was out of the office by 1:45. I've already scheduled my next annual exam. read more

I and my wife have been going to NCEC for almost nine years and they are fabulous! Dr. T, Dr. Channell and Dr. Lee are all well qualified and very patient! I would highly recommend them to anyone needing eye care! read more

The doctors who handle the exams are capable; however, if you require glasses or contacts, take your eye prescription, walk out immediately, and go elsewhere. The individuals who operate the connected eye shop are very obnoxious, patronizing, and overall crappy to work with. On top of that, they'll talk you into items that are not really needed, so you'll walk out with a $200-400 set of options that you have to pay for. See the doctors, but avoid buying any eye products from this group. read more

Dr. Tornatore and the staff are awesome, professional, and thorough. Amazing experience.

I was not impressed with the service to say the least. In addition, I showed up 15 minutes early as instructed for my first visit and had to wait over 30 mins past my appointment time. At my follow up visit I waited more than an hour past my appointment time. If the office was clearly busy and/or in the midst of an emergency, I am always understanding but this was not the case. Instead, I would say they clearly don't value my time as much as their own. In addition as an "in-network" provider, they collected a copay for a service that was covered by my insurance. The copay was more than I pay out of pocket for my non-network provider that doesn't even bill my insurance. Interesting how that works. read more

North County Eye Center provided me with an exceptional experience! I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Marty Tornatore!!! He is the type of doctor who really cares about his patients. Dr. Tornatore was thorough, compassionate, professional and knowledgeable. Thank you so much for providing such a wonderful service! I highly recommend going to North County Eye Center. read more

I couldn't believe how thorough of an eye exam North County Eye Center gives each and every patient. Some places leave you sitting in a room by yourself for a half an hour before they check on you, but North County Eye Center not only handles every patient with qualified technicians, but the actual optometrist (Doctor) actually checks your prescription and not just a technician, and to top it all off, all of the Opticians are actually Certified and Licensed. I am a firm believer in that you get what you pay for, but honestly the pricing was competitive with Costco and yet I received top notch quality of care. Both Dr. Kapner and Tornatore care very much about the patient and you can tell! Thank you North County Eye Center! read more