They are insanely strict about their "no-show" policy - they'll charge you $20 for being 10 minutes late then have the audacity to ask when you want to reschedule. Incredible given that I've had to sit in their waiting area for 10+ minutes on multiple occasions and never once was offered $20 for my time. The sales / admin staff are unbelievably rude. If you want to be treated like a person at a healthcare practice go elsewhere - this is purely a business with no concern for patients. There are plenty of decent and less mercenary optometrists in Cambridge and Somerville. Don't waste your time or money on this one. read more

Dr Taylor is great!! I really enjoy how nice and patient and attentive she is. She deserves 5 starts. But the glasses options are very limited and expensive!!!!! Go somewhere else to buy your glasses/contacts read more

I love glasses and have been told my collection is "excessive" so the fact that the young, blonde saleswoman felt the need to be incredibly rude is a huge mistake on their part. I live right next-door and I would've bought a ton of glasses, but if you can't answer a simple, innocuous question about the sales rack without total, unbridled disdain, then I will never step foot in this store again. I came in prepared to purchase at least a couple pairs but I will never spend a cent here. How you treat customers shouldn't depend on their interest in the sales rack. read more

I just had a wonderful first visit with Dr. Alex! He was kind, extremely knowledgeable, and shared everything. I left there feeling so educated about my complex eyes. I also appreciated the staff letting me take my time choosing glasses and letting me peruse on my own. Definitely recommend. read more

I was having some trouble with progressive lenses I got a few months ago and the Dr took the time to go through vision testing very thoroughly. The staff was amazing and replaced my lenses with a revised prescription. read more

AVOID AT ALL COSTS!! I had multiple terrible experiences with them. On my first visit, they pressured me to pay out of pocket and have insurance reimburse me later; I refused and waited 20 minutes for them to call and check my insurance, which went through- they had my insurance information weeks prior. A month or two later, I found out they has charged my insurance for services I did not receive, on a totally different day than I visited. THEN on the last visit, they forced me to pay up front and promised they'd talk to my insurance "first thing in the morning" and refund me -two weeks later, that hadn't happened, and THEN I was told my insurance (which worked a few months earlier) would not work, I'd have to pay the ~$200 out of pocket, but they'd give me 3 months of contacts free as an apology. Then I went to pick up the contacts and lo and behold, they would not give me more than 30 days supply. AVOID!!! their actual medical practice is fine, just bad business practices. read more

I created a yelp account strictly to say how bad this place was. I would never recommend this place to anybody, unless you hate the person asking for a recommendation. The people in the front who sold the glasses did not apply my insurance or explain the costs. On top of that the glasses don't fit and you can't return them. The eye doctor was wonderful. If you're looking for overpriced glasses, attitude from the workers and overall bad service... Pearle Vision in Somerville is the place for you. read more

Dr Alex is the best eye doctor I ever had. Super kind and a total pro. Keep a watchful "eye" on the progress of my potential development of glaucoma. read more

See dr. Alex if you're wanting the best experience in Optometry from the beginning of walking into the building to the end of your exit. you are treated not only professionally but like your the only client at the moment. None of the staff rush you. they are the absolutly thebest in helping you select your glasses and contacts and doc is willing to do just about anything to make sure that not only happy with your glasses andvthat they comfortable but your contacts are comfortable as well. I have had nothing but the best experience and will continued to fly in to see the staff and Dr. Alex. Thank you guys!!! read more

Pearle Vision - Optometrists Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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Excellent customer service! Amanda Simoes was able to repair my mother's 20 year old eyeglass frames. She's magic!

I'd really like to give Pearle Vision a 3.5. I went here for the first time about five years ago for an eye exam and to get new prescriptions for glasses and contacts. I recently ran out of contacts, so I was forced to get another eye exam. Dr. Alex was beyond horrified that it took me so long to run through a one year supply of contact lenses. He (rightfully so) chided me for being a little irresponsible with my (very precious) eyes. Needless to say, I am now going to be wear dailies so I don't have to worry about anything, and I will be less likely to inadvertently blind myself. Excellent. I've been to Pearle Vision twice in the last couple of weeks (exam and then a follow up/pupil dilation) and I've had a mostly positive experience. I really like Dr. Alex, and the other employees were all very friendly and knowledgeable. After my pupils were dilated, one saw me struggling to read a text message from a friend who was picking me up and asked if she could help. It's the little things, like taking care of a semi-blind person, that get the stars, ya know? I did not purchase my glasses here, but they have a decent selection. I can't vouch for price, but they seem to have a good variety of brands. They will price match for contact lenses, so don't forget to ask. They would have sold me a box of 90 daily-wear contacts for 85 dollars if I hadn't asked them to match the price on 1800 contacts (which was 50 dollars for 90!). The only thing I really didn't like about Pearle Vision was that I kept feeling as though I was getting the hard sell. I understand that they wanted me to purchase everything there, but I felt as though it was continuously mentioned. There's also a machine that will take a picture of your eye so that you don't have to get your pupils dilated, but it's not covered by insurance and it's an extra 30 dollars. That's some drinkin' money, and since I'd just spent 100 dollars on a contact lens and vision exam, I chose to go the old fashioned way of blinding myself for four hours for free. All in all, a pretty standard place for your vision needs. read more

I don't write reviews very often but I had to take the time out to write this one! This was by far the best customer service I have ever received. My glasses had broken right in half so naturally I was a mess to begin with and the manager and staff at Pearl Vision we unbelievably accommodating. I had issues with my insurance that they fixed up, I was stressed so they helped me find the perfect pair of glasses, they gave me a discount on my new pair and even more then that because they knew I had a presentation that day at 2pm they had my glasses ready and waiting for me at 1pm (note I went in at 10:40am that day) I have never met such nice people that were so willing to help a customer. I HIGHLY recommend this place and would go back here anytime. read more

I've been going to Dr. Alex and his team at Pearle Vision since 2008 and they've always been an absolute pleasure to work with. I moved from the Somerville area to South Boston and still continue to drive out to Somerville because my experience with them has been so good. I know it's not far, but the traffic from Southie through Cambridge can be torture, so that alone should tell everyone how great they are over there! I highly recommend Dr. Alex and his team! -Neil G. read more

I started seeing Dr. Alex 7 years ago because it was a bicycle ride from my apartment in Inman Square. Since then I've moved over to Jamaica Plain but I still come back to see Dr. Alex for my annual check up. Why would I subject myself to the agony of Somerville traffic for an eye exam you wonder? Because Dr. Alex rocks. Not only has he given me top notch care year after year, but the guy remembers me and cares about more than just my eyes. In one visit a year Dr. Alex knows, and cares to ask more about me than most people I see every day. He's a true neighborhood doctor and I love being his patient. Also, the staff is great, the prices are fair, and there's plenty of parking. Thanks Dr. Alex!!! PS- I now live in Los Angeles, but I still fly back to Boston so Dr. Alex can take care of my eyes. I thought I would have the honor of being his most distant patient but as it turns out he's got patients who come from overseas! read more

This place is really handy to have around the corner from my house! I called here after finding the yelp reviews and looked them up and saw they would take my Harvard Pilgrim insurance for my annual eye exam. They do offer a discount on glasses there (I think it's 30%) as my insurance doesn't cover the glasses. I made my appointment on Tuesday for Saturday morning. I was happy they were able to fit me in so quick! I got there a little early, did my paperwork, and Dr. Alex had me come back for my exam. The exam itself was really a five star process and Dr. Alex was very food about explaining what he was doing which is always good. Dr. Alex was also very patient with me because with on particular test I have always pulled my head back, even at other offices, but he talked me through it so I didn't pull back. The exam took maybe twenty minutes so I was in and out relatively quickly. I paid my co-pay at the desk and then got taken out to the glasses for me to check out various glasses. I was really just looking as I wanted to order some new glasses online and that I just wanted to get a sense of the different shapes and styles. The sales person was helpful in showing me around and explaining the reasons why ordering online may not be a good idea. I took it with a grain of salt and did my homework, and it ended up being fine ordering online and I got three pairs for cheap with a high level of quality. I'd definitely suggest Pearle Vision for anyone who needs an eye exam. They do seem to take a variety of insurances, and the out of pocket rate isn't even that terrible at $135. read more

I had a very bad experience with Dr. Alex and Pearl Vision. After my exam, I waited two weeks for my lenses for my reading and computer glasses. When I finally got them they were not only way too weak, but the computer glasses made my computer a trapezoid shape. When I called for appt with him to check all this, I was told first I had to have appt. with optician, before I could set up appt with the doctor. She agreed glasses needed to be strengthened but could find no reason for the trapezoid effect. So I had to wait another week to see the doctor, he strengthened by prescription some, and said lens was twisted by their "machine" which is why I saw trapezoid. I asked why no one checked for that and he said "machine" was supposed to check for that! So much for quality control. I then waited yet another two weeks, I finally called them and they said my lenses were there so I went AGAIN, and tried them, they seemed okay. No apologies for all the screw ups, all my time. Two months in all, and five visits there. Now that im home with the new glasses, I realize the prescriptions are still too weak and find myself using my old glasses more and more. so $700 plus whatever my insurance paid for inferior exam, and realize I never even needed new prescriptions. Its like a scam. I cant bear to go there again, so I just want to spare others this extremely unpleasant experience. I did get a nice pair of frames. Now I have to go someplace else to get my old prescription lenses fitted to them so I can read. DONT go here. read more

Stopped in at Pearle Vision after my current frames gave up the ghost and finally fell apart. Was expecting to have to get new frames and lenses, and hopefully not wait too long for them to be completed (Monday - had to get back to work). Instead, they were able to find a frame that was the same shape as my previous ones, and were able to simply transfer the lenses into the new frames. Insurance covered the majority of the cost of the new frames, and i left after about 15 minutes - vision restored! What started out as a very frustrating day was turned around thanks to the friendly folks at Pearle. read more

The manager, Daiane, is not focused on customers -- she is focused on profits. She is highly uncooperative and ill tempered. This is a racket -- they try to up-sell you on prescriptions and glasses. The eyewear selection is poor. Only high-end designer frames. Go to a REAL eye doctor, at REAL optometry office -- not the equivalent of a fast-food eye care center in a strip mall. Total rip-off and unpleasant experience. read more

Had my glasses tightened and cleaned However during the process of getting them tightened and cleaned they broke them. The screw on the side wont come out without breaking the hinge. they will Give me a replacement but want to Bill my insurance.. I personally think that they just want the $$. read more

Inept - And I Think I'm Being Generous 1. Doctor Sandra Mark measured my existing eyeglasses for starting points. When she tested my right eye, everything was uneventful. However, when she switched to my left eye, I could not see the projected rectangle with letters on the wall. All I could see was a white blur. It was so far off that I could not make out a single letter. Nevertheless, she persisted with the "is this better... or is this better" routine for a few minutes until I insisted that she stop, since I was getting a headache. She took my existing eyeglasses out of the room to have someone else measure them. When she came back, she reset the machine and the procedure proceeded uneventfully. 2. The young lady who helped with picking out frames had never heard of computer glasses (their focal point is about 16 inches away, in case you have not heard of them either). She looked very confused and it was quite clear that she and I were "talking past each other." I slowly explained that I was considering two pairs of glasses: a standard pair of bifocals and a pair for computer work. "Well, that would just be the distance prescription without the bifocal." When I told her she was wrong, she went in the back and obviously had someone explain to her what computer glasses were. She came back and said it would just be half of the near and far bifocal prescriptions -- which I don't think is actually correct. I'm going to shell out for a new eye exam somewhere else. read more

About 3 weeks ago, I went to this location and the lab tech had assured me that she will order a specific glasses by the end of the week, and she will call me. I never received a call from her. After numerous times of calling her (as her availability was slim to none) she ultimately said, "Sorry, we can't get those glasses anymore because they are not available" - naturally this prompted me to leave a negative message on Yelp.com, which I did, specifically regarding misleading their customers and say they will order and ultimately say, "no, they can't" after a week. And THEN Dr. Alex comments on my review and plays the violin about how he cares about the staff, and how the lab tech had a family emergency (something NO ONE ever told me). As a reasonable person and since this is first time I was told about this, I felt compelled to delete the negative review. Then I decided to give them a second chance but this time, by looking up the eye-wear manufacturer's website and locating the specific model. I called today, spoke with Michelle. Michelle stated that someone will call me shortly. As usual I never got a call back. Then I decided to call in and dealt with Natalie, and gave her the model number of the glasses and thought we turned over a new leaf. She calls me back after 4 hours and said the following "sorry, we can't do business with you because you left us a negative review in the past" WOW, I'm actually impressed. They had a customer willing to spend a grand and because of their incompetency (promising to order and then saying they can't after a week) turned me away. Then when I decided to give them a second chance, they turned me away again because of a negative review that I deleted, albeit, Dr. Alex had concluded his response with one of those, "We once again apologize and please let us know how we can help...blah, blah, blah". Amazing....Dr. Alex, you should take care of your staff, but not on the account of misleading your customers. Rest assured, I will escalate this matter by bringing a claim against them for refusing service based on a negative review. Just compare the date my review and his reply comment below. This confirms that I gave them a second chance for them to earn my business. I'm done with Pearle Vision because of this location. read more

Worse service received in my life. Got the feeling from the first moment that only thing they care about is to cash an extra dollar. When ordered my prescription sunglass, they took too long to have them ready. They had over a week and a half, but still I went on vacation without my glasses. In my return, I picked them up and realized that the glasses had 2 issues: - glue on the sides. There was glue on the glass, collecting dust, sign of questionable craftsmanship. - one glass darker than other. When looking at the phone screen, for example, one of the lenses is much darker than the other. went back, dropped them off and waited another week to have them ready. Finally they were good. 2 months after, I started noticing that the frame of the glasses was getting loose, so I stopped by and asked. They couldn't help. $750 dollars after, I got a decent pair of sun glasses, the worse customer service in my life. Writing this hoping that you don't go there, even if it is the most convenient store for you. Worth the effort!! read more

The receptionist is terrible. Fire her. Terrible attitude. Gave them a call asking for rates of contacts and took 10 minutes just to get it. Asked for prescription and I was willing to provide, yet tried to force me to pay for an eye exam. I was willing to pay for exam, yet I got "we are fully booked for over a month". Simply didn't want any business. read more

Wish i could give 0 stars. I have a high rx and decided to splurge on a nice designer frame with all the bells and whistles. After having my lenses remade 4 times they still are wrong. I finally went to another eye glass place and they couldn't believe how poorly made me lenses were and how off they are. Every time I went back to pearle vision they made me so uncomfortable and made me feel like i was wrong. Even made me get a 2nd exam because of course my eyes must have changed over the 2 months we spent trying to get the lenses right. So now after all this time im left with eye glasses that i cant wear without getting a headache and im out over 700$. I will note dr alex is great. Hes the only reason worth going there. read more

AVOID GOING HERE!!!! The staff is horrendous and the customer service is slim to none!! I was going to purchase glasses after an eye exam, and was quoted $280 dollars for lenses alone. When I questioned the cost (these glasses were only to be used for computer work) they said I needed all these extra features (glare, scratch proof,ect). It seemed really weird for glasses I wouldn't always need. I called back to question the cost again and the staff was so rude!!!!! I took my prescription to another location and was quoted $80 for the same glasses! Please do yourself a favor, save yourself a headache and money and go else where. read more

Dr. Alex is great, really positive and friendly and professional. I feel confident about his exams and he answers any questions I have thoroughly. I've been coming here once a year for the last three years, recommend him to anyone looking for an optometrist in the area. I usually come for contact fittings and general eye exams, and each/every time I feel like my visit was comprehensive, and my Rx was right on. I can't speak for buying glasses/contacts. I bought my year supply of contacts from here last year, but this year told the people at the front that I'd shop around before making the decision since I still have a few pairs left. They weren't pushy to me, and they've always been nice about me coming to try on frames. read more

I just joined Yelp, specifically to warn people about this eye dr. and office. Do NOT NOT NOT schedule an appointment here or at another chain optometrist. Take the time to find a local / private practice, your eyes are too important to schedule something out of convenience. The long and short... I needed an updated prescription to get contacts, and went to Dr. Alex. He did an eye exam and sent me on my way. After the appointment I saw worse, much worse, and we to Bay State Eyes in Waltham. At the new eye Dr. I was told that 1) Dr. Alex gave me the complete wrong prescription, in both eyes. 2) The contacts I have (Air Optix) have multiple law suits against them and they are in questioning by the CDC 3) I have blood vessels growing into my cornea 4) I have a very serious infection under my eyes lids... that any eye dr. should have seen immediately 5) If i kept wearing those contacts i could lose my vision 6) Dr. Alex told me that my astigmatism was caused from contacts and will clear up, which isn't the case. Dont get me wrong, he's a super nice guy but PLEASE take the time to go to a private practice and do not go to Pearl Vision or any other chain. read more

This was the best optometry appointment I've ever had. I left with a much better understanding of what the issues are with my vision, and - most importantly, why I need to wear my glasses. Dr. Alex was incredibly thorough, helpful, and spent as much time with my questions as needed. Can't rate them highly enough! read more

Dianne and all of the staff here were so amazingly helpful! One of my students broke my glasses and they got me right in To see the doctor and helped me get frames and lenses that fit my budget. 10/10 would recommend this location! read more

I also just joined yelp just to say this place actually deserves NO STARS and to warn people to not go here. I am furious and here is why: 1.WAIVER IS A SCAM/SCHEME. I bought 2 pairs of glasses (buy 1 get 1 free) from them 2.5 yrs ago. I just wanted to change the lens and keep the same frame. It was so expensive that I could only afford to change one pair of lens. They pretty much make you sign a waiver that basically says Pearl Vision would not be at fault if they break you frames since they're "old." Of course it just so happens to "break" and I had rushed to pick new ones out, which cost me more than $150 frames AND $280 lens AND $20 copay for eye exam (total $450). The material from my old frames were a lot more flexible/bendable than even my new frames, so there's no way it broke. If that's the case, then ALL the frames in their store would break. 2. BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE ON PROMOTIONS: After my frames "broke," I was in a rush to pick new glasses and didn't know about the buy 1 get 1 free until I looked online afterwards. They didn't have the professional decency to tell me about their promotions and they're buy one get one free promotion. OVERALL: They are NOT customer service driven and set up a system that pretty much milks their profits which is happening more and more as I read the other 1 star reviews with similar experiences. (ex."waivers" and not telling you about they're current promotions/sales) I'm going back to get my adjust my $450 glasses because they didn't adjust it right and its too tight. THEN I'M NEVER COMING BACK. BYE. read more

I went in here about a week ago to have an eye-exam and order contact lenses. Amanda attended to me and she was super friendly and helpful. She even had my contact lenses mailed to me in my dorm so I wouldn't have to drive 60 miles to pick them up. I'd give this place 6-stars if I could! read more

Excellent customer service and Dr. Alex is a nice dude and top notch doctor. Good prices (I think... my exam and lenses were covered by insurance), convenient location, and nice people. Go here for your eye needs. read more

I can't begin to express how amazing this place is. From the eye exam to the perfect frame, I loved the entire experience. Everyone was friendly, efficient and professional. They went above and beyond to provide the best customer service possible. I want to give a special THANK YOU to DAIANE AMARAL for being so helpful. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for an ophthalmologist and/or new glasses. Best customer service guaranteed! read more

Yesterday I went to this Pearl Vision location and had an Optomap eye exam (this is the exam you can do in place of having your eyes dilated) and I never thought I'd say this about an eye exam, but it was such a pleasant experience! The eye doctor was very professional and personable, did the exam quickly and then explained the images to me afterwards. Very cool! read more

Scary..... Today l had an appointment with Dr. Alex. I waited for few minutes, and during that time, Dr. Alex called the receptionist in his office. The doors were open and you could hear everything. The doctor has yelled at this lady for a total of 2 minutes or more. For me these minutes were too long. the lady came out with her head down and wanting to cry. I felt so bad for her and what happened that I also wanted to cry and run away. I took my purse, my coat and was ready to go, but the girl at the front desk asked me if I had pick up my glasses. I told her that nobody had called me; they had the wrong number. I started trying my glasses when Dr. Alex came out to greet me...he told me I could go inside. I was not going to go into that office with that loco angry man, no sir ... I had the courage to tell him that he mistreated his employee and he can cancel my appointment. the guy turned red with rage and shouted: "she caused me the loss of two hundred dollars." Well, now Dr. Alex lost one more client for being so rude and ill-tempered. He left and slammed the door, I guess at poor Me!, the Client. I took my glasses and ended up crying as well. What a horror of man! He looked so good when I met him the first time ... now he's a demon. I'm glad I don't work for him. I feel bad for all other employees that put up with his ill manner temper. He needs some angry management classes or at least few psychology sessions. He is a doctor, he is not an account! read more

All of the people who work here are great to interact with (this is a professional and friendly location). Dr. Alex is amazing (knowledgeable and kind). I am more than satisfied with the service, the script, the glasses & contacts I have received from here. As many others have stated, people here are friendly and everyone appears to genuinely want customers to get the best service. After shopping around Boston and Cambridge for good vision care for over ten years it was great to find someone I can stay with. read more

Dr. Alex is AMAZING! I saw him for many years while I lived in Cambridge (now I'm in California, wishing I could find an equally great eye doctor). He's very friendly, and really takes the time to give you a thorough exam. I really appreciated that he took the time to explain the science behind my eye issues (I struggled with dry eye syndrome and have an astigmatism in one of my eyes). After my appointments, I always understood exactly what was going on with my eyes. He worked with me to find the best remedies for my eye issues as well. We tried a variety of remedies until we came upon the best one for me. He always followed up to check in on my status as well. My visits with him were always educational, and you know he cares about your well being. I loved being his patient, and I wish I could continue to do so! Thanks Dr. Alex, you're missed in California! read more

What a great staff of knowledgeable people..their prices are super reasonable and the exam I got from dr. Alex was caring and not rushed. I guess I got a 5 star pearle experience. read more

Updated to say that in the 4.5 years between the time of my first review and the time I moved out of the Boston area, I continued to return to Pearle Vision and to Dr. Alex and had great experiences there. I could always find a good selection of fashionable frames within my price range, and the opticians were courteous, helpful, and very prompt in completing my glasses. One time, I had to get a new pair because I thought I'd lost my current ones, and I was able to get new glasses the same day! I also appreciated the fact that they worked with me and were responsive to my issues when I had a pair of glasses where the lenses were off and I kept getting headaches. The staff redid the lenses twice until the glasses were working correctly for me. On the ophthalmology side, I LOVED having Dr. Alex for my eye doctor and I've missed him terribly since I moved a year and a half ago. (I'm tempted to follow the example of the reviewer from LA who still comes back to see him!) In addition to standard eye exam stuff, Dr. Alex was great about keeping track of potential eye issues related to diabetes, which is part of my family history. He was attentive and very easy to approach with any questions I had - plus, he put up with my chronic lateness, which I sincerely appreciated. :-) read more

I been going here for about 3 years now to see Dr. Alex. I believe Dr. Alex is doing a good job taking care of his patients, but....for some reason I always feels that I'm over paying at the place for my eye exam. It seems like my insurance doesn't cover anything. It cost me less to get a physical from my doctor than an eye exam. One advice from me is to KNOW and UNDERSTAND what your vision insurance is covering and telling you. MAKE SURE to read the insurance coverage print out that they have on hand for you. On my insurance, I have an allowance of $105 to use on contacts, glasses, or lens. My insurance also states that if I forgo my $105 allowance, I can have $60 to use towards my contact len exam. I asked the sale person about the $60 option and she told me that I received a discount already and encourage me to use the $105 allowance towards contact. The contact lens (toric) cost $100 per box. I really don't believe what the sale person is telling me. I rather use the $60 towards my contact exam and buy my contacts online for half the price that they are offering. The sale person maybe getting some kind of commission for selling contact lens. read more