Dr. Lai gave my 90-year-old grandfather a special price because of how expensive cataract surgery would've been for us. Given that my grandfather had a severe astigmatism on both eyes, it would have cost us an arm and a leg for those special lenses. For him, he saw my grandfather and wanted nothing else than to actually help him. In addition to his genuine generosity, the process through out all of this was very smooth. As someone who is a full-time student, working, and looking after my grandparents I really appreciated how simple things were. Even when I tried to thank Dr. Lai, he explained that he was just happy to see my grandfather doing much better. Sincerely, from the bottom of my heart, he really made a huge difference for my family and I. read more

Dr. Lam Phung is a very skilled & good Ophthalmologist, and the staff are helpful . I'm very happy and satisfied during my eyes cataract surgery treatment at this office. I'd strongly recommend this Rosemead Eye Center. Patient, Truc Nguyen. read more

What an amazing ophthalmologist. Dr. Lai, has been taking care of me for the past three years, and I'm very very happy with his staff. Dr. Lai has the most advanced tools and equipment in his office with the highest technology. It's not just a cosmetic job here. It's the knowledge and experience throughout many many years with the highest education from this doctor. He has multiple achievements and awards. He will tell you straight in your face, which will be the truth with his experience. It's always best to hear. Good news and bad news. that's why I chose to be a patient of the (Rosemead) Eye Center. Thank you for being there when I need the top notch ophthalmologist... read more

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Disappointing First Experience With Rosemead Eye Center This was my first time calling Rosemead Eye Center because I was interested in becoming a new patient. I had heard good things about Dr. Lai through online searches, so I was hoping to confirm what insurance they accept and how to use my medical insurance for an eye exam. Unfortunately, the experience fell short right from the start. The person who answered the phone, Sam, was impatient, unfriendly, and noticeably rude when I asked basic questions. Instead of helping guide me through the process, as any medical office should, especially for new patients--she sounded irritated and dismissive. It honestly doesn't matter how good a doctor may be if the first point of contact treats people this way. A front desk representative sets the tone for the entire practice, and this interaction was a complete disservice to Dr. Lai and to potential patients like myself. I ended the call feeling unwelcome and unsure if I should even schedule an appointment. Customer service matters, especially in healthcare. Sadly, this was not a good first impression. read more

Dr Elson Lai is one of the best ophthalmologists in the San Gabriel area. He is efficient, reliable and very professional. Given that I was a concerned about someone doing a procedure on my eyes, I was skeptical and worried that something would happen to my eyesight. I was reassured throughout the process with step by step procedures as to how he was going to perform the cataract surgery. Making me feel that I was in good hands; which I was. The surgeries went very smoothly. And my eyesight has never been better and clear. His staff is also efficient, fast and professional. They follow up to make sure that after the procedure you are doing well! Would totally recommend Dr Elson Lai to anyone of my friends and family without hesitation! read more

My name is Josephine, and I had my cataract surgery in the office in April 2025. Dr. Lai is trustworthy, he's understanding, and knows what my concerns and needs are, he's professional in his field, and entire procedure is painless. It was so convenience, save time, and I'm so grateful that I chose Dr. Lai and his team for my eye surgeries. I highly recommend Dr. Lai to anyone for their eye cares need. read more

Just got my eyes checked by Dr. Lai again -- unfortunately my eyesight got worse again so I still cannot get LASIK but he was able to get me new contacts with my new prescription right away. If you're looking for new optical frames they have a great selection of designer and non-designer frames to choose from. I no longer live close to Rosemead but I will continue to come here because there are minimal wait times to be seen, everything is very clean, there is lots of free parking in the back parking lot and Dr. Lai is extremely thorough with his examination. Definitely recommend this place still read more

Dr. Lai was great! Great surgeon and easy process, my dad can see much better out of his eye now thanks to him! I would recommend him to anybody, and I have already recommended him to my friend who also had a great experience. Thank you!! read more

Dr. Phung saw me the same day for an emergency. Really like her, informative, but not a chatter box. Will return in the future. Thanks, Dr. Phung! read more

Dr. Lai is the best eye surgeon ever! He's very knowledgeable and professional. His clinic staff were friendly and helpful. The clinic's always been spotless, especially during the world pandemic, they take precaution to ensure the safety of their patients. A friend of mine had blurry vision, for years she went to see many doctors and they couldn't diagnose the problem. She came here, Dr. Lai fixed her eye! Dr. Lai was very patient and caring. I accompanied my friend for all her visits. While waiting for my friend, I shopped around their glasses/sunglasses area. I was impressed by their selection, they carry some of my favorite brands such as Tom Ford, Tiffany, and Saint Laurent, they also carry Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, as well as the everyone-owns-a-pair brand Ray Ban. This is definitely the best place in the area. Most importantly, the frames were all reasonably priced. I highly recommend you coming to Rosemead Eye Center, whether for an eye check up, a surgery, or to look for a nice pair of sunnies, you will not be disappointed! read more

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Doctor Phung is very patient and experienced. She checked my eyes and explained to me thoroughly what is going and how to take care of them. I appreciate her professionalism and care very much. Her staffs are also helpful and friendly. Thanks again, Doctor Phung! read more

What can EYE say about my experience with Dr. Lai and his a staff at Rosemead Eye Center? It was such a great and seamless experience from scheduling an appointment over the phone, to checking in with the kind staff, and especially the professionalism and excellence that Dr. Lai provided throughout the entire appointment. Going into the appointment, I knew that I wanted a new set of sunglasses. The team helped me pick out the perfect pair and I couldn't wait to use them. The facility is top notch with the latest equipment. I'm in West LA where parking is usually very difficult, so it was a relief to find that Rosemead Eye Center parking is available and easy. I don't live in the area, but would definitely make the trek from west LA to SGV just to see Dr. Lai. Also, if you're looking for a pair of new glasses, definitely check out their selection. read more

The front desk staff was very polite and professional in the office but NOT Dr. Elson Lai. When he knew that I was using Allied Pacific HMO insurance, he reacted very rudely and started yelling at me. He said he hates Allied Pacific because they under pay him for his services and doesn't approve services. He said no one is going to take this kind of insurance anymore because it's so cheap. When I asked if I needed to return for a follow up for an eye issue, he told the front desk that I don't need to come back until 1 year later! The front desk said one year would be too long for scheduling and to call back. Given that I have an eye disorder or disease that needs following up, I was pretty surprised that they said one year. Would not recommend coming here unless you want to be yelled at by your doctor. read more

I'd love to give a shoutout to Dr. Lai at Rosemead Eye Center. He's been my eye doctor for over 8 years, I've never had issues with him or his office. He's always been a great caring doctor that looks out for his patients and gets to know them. Would highly recommend coming to his office anytime you're looking for an eye doctor. read more

Unethical money hungry doctor trying to scam patients. My mom was looking for an ophthalmologist for cataract surgery. Initial consultation, he kept pushing the expensive lenses that required thousands out of pocket while refusing to say he recommended it for my moms eyes. He kept saying "look how many thousands my equipment costs, I don't make much money off doing these procedures for you". He sent us to the receptionist for pay for the lenses. The receptionist kept giving us different breakdown of costs that shouldn't be charged to us since insurance covers the surgery itself. When we said we need time to think about it as it just seemed so fishy, the doctor came out and yelled at us! Do not trust your eyes or your wallet with this scam or a doctor, he certainly does not care for the welfare of his patients, just the welfare of his business. read more

I am very pleased with the service from this office, from the front desk friendly staffs to the doctor. The office is clean and up to date equipment. I was seen by Doctor Phung who is very professional and experienced. She checked my eyes and took her time to explain to me what I need to do to take care of my eyes. I definitely coming back and recommend this office to everyone. read more

As a physician myself, I can attest to the professionalism and top quality care provided by Dr. Lai. Wanting the best eye care for my mom when it came time to address her cataracts, we visited three highly rated ophthalmologists for their opinions. With no hesitation, we ultimately went with Dr. Lai for his direct and detailed explanation of the procedure and the confidence he possessed as he answered our questions patiently. He did not waste our time. The other two ophthalmologists...one could not give us clear answers and talked incessantly about irrelevant things. The other, my mom's previous ophthalmologist, had performed a simple laser procedure on her with a poor outcome. How were we to trust her with cataract removal surgery? I also called the eye surgical center and asked the nurses for their opinion on Dr. Lai's work, and they highly recommended him. Eventually my mom had both eyes done with no issues. Dr. Lai and his staff made the whole process easy and simple. A year later, my dad also had both eyes done by Dr. Lai with no issues. And we also recommended him to a relative for her cataract surgery. As expected, she was very satisfied with the outcome, too. Cannot recommend highly enough Dr. Lai, his office staff, and the surgical staff at the eye surgical center. Great experience overall! read more

Dr. Lai is the only ophthalmologist that I recommend to my family and friends. The office is always clean and well-kept and rooms are always sanitized after every patient. He has a multilingual staff which makes communication for my parents and non-English speaking relatives a breeze! Wait times are also never as long as other practices, because he is efficient and great at what he does. If you are looking for quality patient care and a doctor that is well-versed in ophthalmology, Rosemead Eye Center is the place to be. read more

Both my parents had their cataracts removed from each of their eyes this year and I have accompanied them to almost all their appointments this year. Dr. Lai and his staff have been great throughout the process and follow-up for all 4 of their cataract surgeries. Dr. Lai always gives clear, thorough explanations to address any questions or concerns we have and sets up reasonable expectations for his patients. He is very busy but works efficiently so we have never had to wait more than a few minutes for our appointments at his office. His staff have also been helpful, friendly, and very patient. They can also speak English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Vietnamese so I feel like my parents are in good hands even if I can't accompany them to an appointment. Overall, both my parents have been very satisfied with the lens they got and are extremely happy they can see clearly again. They keep talking about how skillful Dr. Lai is and highly recommend him. read more

What an amazing experience from the front desk and assistants, to Dr. Lai himself. The facility was super clean and parking was easy with a back parking lot and plenty of free 2 hour parking spaces in front. Makes the drive worth it as I am not a Rosemead resident. I appreciate the center's advance technology. I'm so used to having a puff of air blown into my eyes without warning. They don't do that here, thank you! Plus Dr. Lai is super attentive and you can tell he truly cares about his patients. Would highly recommend coming here! read more

I'm so glad I finally came to have my eyes checked. Have had issues with my night vision for some time now and finally came here to get a exam. As soon as I walked in I felt so welcome. Clean and very organized. Doc came in to do my exam and I ended up not needing glasses! However Dr Lai saw something off and did an extra test to conclude I did have really dry eyes. I'm so glad he caught that. I've been using eye drops on a daily from the doctors rec and now I don't have any issues at night! Thank you so much for catching that! I'm relieved I don't need glasses and very happy we found what helped! THANK YOU SO MUCH! Highly recommend this place!!!! read more

Came back again this year for an annual eye exam. Very attentive front office staff. I actually arrived about half an early for my appointment and thought I would have to wait but was called in within less than 5 mins! Dr Lai was thorough and he patiently answered questions about my eye care. Will be back again next year! read more

I was lucky to have gotten in on a Saturday appointment. They no longer open Saturday. The Dr are very professional and helpful. Answers all my question in regard to insurance, prescription, contacts, eye and vision problem. Overall both the MD and OD are very nice and helpful. And it help that the place is very inviting and clean. Will def be my go to OD MD for eye care. read more

Rosemead Eye Center - Very inviting lobby and stairway. I will be back for glasses and eyewear - Ophthalmologists Near Me - Rosemead, California

Dr. Lai and his staff are extremely nice and inelegant. I did not have to wait long, I was seen at the time of my appointment, which is always a plus. The office is beyond beautiful and clean. They have a huge parking lot behind the office which made my visit convenient since I did not have to look for parking on the street. The front desk girls helped me with my paper work my first time and were super organized, unlike my past experiences else where. Dr. Lai also helped me pick out glasses. They have a variety of eye glasses both prescription and sunglasses. They have all the designers you could possibly think of. Luxurious and stylish at the best prices I have seen yet. Thanks !!!!! I walked away from my exam with enough knowledge about my eyes. I will be doing my annual exams at Rosemead Eye Center from now on. Over all: Great staff/Doctor Great location Great parking read more

Rosemead Eye Center - Ophthalmologists Near Me - Rosemead, California

If you are looking for a highly intelligent, experienced, and caring eye surgeon who specializes in cataract and LASIK procedures, I highly recommend Dr. Lai. Dr. Lai removed cataracts in both my mother's eyes and replaced her natural lenses with trifocal intraocular lenses (IOL). The results are remarkable. My mother was myopic her entire life and developed cataracts after 60. Now she can see without glasses entirely, not needing even readers. Of course, large credit is due to advanced technology, but Dr. Lai's expertise and the organization of his office and operating staff were major factors in the successful outcome. He took time and consulted with my mother and I, helped her choose the best IOL for her eyes. His staff organized her visits and surgery dates based on my schedule (my mother can't drive) and made her feel comfortable in ways that helped her make optimal decisions. Ultimately, Dr. Lai delivered an excellent outcome. His calculations for the IOL strength were perfect. The process is made easier and is more likely to be successful when the care system is designed well. Dr. Lai and his staff did that. My mother is very happy with the results, and I highly recommend Dr. Lai. read more

I had an emergency and had to contact Dr. Lai after hours because I had an abrasion. He was willing to meet me after hours to take a look. He's very professional and polite. His office was very nice and clean. It's nice to know that there are still Drs out there that will go above and beyond for their patients well being. read more

I didn't get to stay long and I only got to visit once, but Dr. Lai did save my eyesight by Dxing a detached retina, and then called around the area even though it was after business hours, and located a surgeon who would see me right away. I was operated on the next day. Also the staff were 100% professional and pleasant! So... 5 out of 5 stars! I'll be coming back. read more

Worst experience ever! I highly recommend you do not go there. The front office is very slow and rude. They will take down your information, supposedly call your insurance to verify eligibility and then say they will call you back to schedule an appointment.....Guess what? Its been almost a week and nothing. I had to call myself 4 days later and then request the status. Front desk said "Oh we forgot and have been busy". Then they say our soonest appointment is 2 weeks from now. Take in mind, I've been waiting and needing an appointment for my son that has redness and irritation on both eyes. Also, the so called Doctor decides to rudely take the phone call today after I'm requesting the front office to kindly find me a sooner appointment and he decides to angrily use the COVID excuse of having low staff and too many patients to handle. Great professionalism! (sarcasm) If you have all the time in the world to wait, I recommend this doctor. DO NOT GO HERE! I called another Eye Center (Ophthalmologist) and was able to get an appointment the same day. Thanks for nothing Rosemead Eye Center and great way to help out a US Military member! read more

I had serious eye infection back in May 2021, I thought it was just some common ones where you go see an optometrist and get the drops and be done. Went to three optometrists in a month and they all said it was just common infection. My gut feeling told me otherwise, so I called Dr Lai's office last week and he was able to fit me in the same day!! Turns out I actually have scleritis, a serious eye inflammation. Dr. Lai was very professional and he was able to answer all my questions and concerns patiently! Because my condition can sometimes linked to autoimmune diseases, Dr Lai explained the need to get blood work done. My eyes are healing nicely under his treatment. All I can say is, Dr Lai knows his stuff and he really cares about his patients and he is very thorough. Side note-the office is super clean, front desk staffs are very friendly. They do not overbook based on my experience, the wait was never longer than 5-10mins. Thank you Dr Lai and I would definitely recommend him to my friends and family! read more

Rosemead Eye Center is a truly impressive end-to-end experience from booking and engagement, to the facilities, to the actual consultation, and to the post-visit services. I was able to book my appointment online by viewing available time slots and selecting my desired window. The system sent me reminders, which were great to add to my calendar. I also received a call from the office to confirm my appointment a day or so prior to the visit. The office is nicely decorated and very comfortable. The waiting area is spacious and well-lit, complete with contemporary furnishings and there's also an adjoining eyeglass boutique with a nice selection of designer frames. Definitely not your typical low-rent medical office! All of this helps to put you at ease. The building itself was easy to spot, and the large parking area in the back is great. As a first time patient, it was quick and easy to check in: I was greeted by the receptionist and filled out a short form and submitted my insurance card and ID in under a couple of minutes. Dr. Elson Lai was a consummate professional. Easy to talk to, easy to understand, and got to the point after a few different examinations. He uses a tablet to electronically view and manage your patient information, and also uses it to bring up information and pictures as part of his explanations. He offered advice and even took the time to fit me with some new contacts that are better suited for my condition. In the end, I left with more insight than I had received from three previous ophthalmologists visits (from a different health plan) in the months prior. After the visit I was able to log into the patient portal to review my own profile and the notes from the office visit, including my diagnosis and detailed notes of what Dr. Lai and I discussed. Very cool and useful, especially if you cover so much ground during a consultation that it's hard to remember everything. Rosemead Eye Center is modern, packed with tech, and I'd definitely recommend going there for eye care concerns. read more

My right eye had an infection and I thought to wait for until the weekend to go see a doctor . And one night later, IT GOT WAY WORSE. I couldn't open my eyes, my lid is swollen, I was in pain. When I called this office to make an appt, they were fully booked. But when I tell them I was in pain, they squeeze me between patients. IM VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT . The wait is about 20 mins, which is reasonable because they had to squeeze me in. The doctor was very thorough with the exam. What I press me the most is that, the doctor spent time on another issue that I'm not there for, nor brought up . I have a black spot in my eye and he took a picture of it for future reference to make sure it does not change in size or color. My own optometrist who I have annual check ups don't even do that. Definitely recommend this office for your eye issues ! read more

I recently moved down to LA so I was in search of an optometrist. I decided to check out Rosemead Eye Center, since it was fairly close to Arcadia, and I was really glad I did. In the past I've typically gone to Optometrists and wasn't sure if the experience would be different being that Dr. Lai was an Ophthalmologist. But actually, I felt like he was a lot more thorough than Optometrists I've been to in the past. I also have really sensitive eyes, so he gave me numbing drops when he checked my eyes, which made me feel a lot more comfortable and relaxed. Other great things about this office: - There was a huge parking lot with tons of open spaces. - The office was spacious and clean, and didn't really feel like a typical doctor's office. - Loved the stylish couch in the lobby area. - There was a great selection of really nice eye frames in their optical shop. - No hassle or extra hidden fees. In the past I've experienced some Optometrist offices that charge extra if you want two different types of contacts. I've even been charged separately for eye glass and contact exams. I loved that there was none of that here, just very straight forward. I highly recommend this place, and will definitely be coming back for my eye exams! read more

My mom was referred here by her optometrist because she had cataracts and I'm so glad she did! First of all, there was plenty of parking in the back. The clinic was clean and modern. The equipment was new too. I've been to a lot of doctors offices and they are dirty and outdated. Dr. Lai was amazing from the onset. He's super attentive to detail and went over all her options for surgery. We went with the self pay one where she would be able to see far and near without having to wear glasses. I'm writing this after her surgeries since I wanted to see how they turned out. She's doing great with her sight now and doesn't have to wear glasses. I'm super jealous since I have to wear glasses and contact lens. I would highly recommend Dr. Lai if anyone needs cataract surgery!!!! read more

My family, friends and I all go to Dr. Lai for our eye exams - whether it's for glasses, contacts, or any medical eye-related problems. He is THE BEST. What makes Dr. Lai stand out compare to other ophthalmologists I've met is that he goes above and beyond what's expected to care for his patients. He's super knowledgable and personable - it's so easy to talk to him and ask any questions you want! I have experiences with doctors taking advantage of your insurance and I never had to worry about that when going to see Dr. Lai. Honesty is key, and I trust him fully. Also, his office is amazing - the decorations, the huge space, and the cleanliness! His staff are genuinely nice and accommodating. He also has an optical shop with a wide range of designer glasses (Prada, Burberry, Rayban, Gucci, Dior, etc.) Dr. Lai spent the time with my fiancee recently to help him pick out a perfect pair of glasses. Overall, I will never go to another ophthalmologist :) read more

my previous optometrist didn't have much patience for checking my daughter's vision so I researched and finally found there's an ophthalmologist around my area. After I checked on his website, I called to schedule appointment today. Glad I made a good decision & switched to Dr. Lai for my eye exam today. He's very professional, knowledgeable, patience and caring to his patients. I also took my 6 yrs old daughter for eye exam today and he took his time to check her eyes without rushing her to answer the questions. He also helped me to pick my glasses. What I like about this place? -new 2 stories office -huge parking lot -wait time is short -office is super clean and big with a pretty & modern couch. -many designer glasses to choose from (I got a pair of Prada glasses today-great price too!) -Oh, i almost forgot to mention that they even give you the user name and password to login to access your personal info and your recent visit tests & results. That's very important to me and I like that they are very organized. I highly recommend this place and my hubby is going to switch to him very soon! :) read more

I have been blind as a bat since third grade and have seen my fair share of eye doctors. Dr. Lai's office has been the best by far and that's saying a lot because I really really like my previous eye doctor. Dr. Lai is extremely friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. It is very obvious that he is passionate about what he does. As a younger doctor, I feel he is more inclined to be up to date, honest, and forthcoming with you about your eye health whereas older doctors tend to feel like they're just going through the motions. Even when he is busy, you won't feel rushed. They are very organized and will handle your insurance properly. I know for sure they accept VSP and EyeMed but always check with your insurance carrier first to make sure. The office is spacious, clean, and beautiful. I loved the stylish decor and would've been comfortable waiting for a while in there even though I had no wait at all (I waited less than 5 minutes) despite the other walk-ins. I was visiting because it was time for my annual eye exam and to get a refill on my contacts. I was offered a bottle of water when I first sat down and a contact case+solution to store my contacts during the exam. I was also administered numbing eye drops for the first time for my glaucoma test since they use a different machine instead of the typical eye puff one that I'm used to. Have to say, I'm not quite a fan of those numbing eye drops but they wear off after about 15 minutes unlike pupil dilating drops (which is good). The eye center is conveniently located off of Valley Blvd on the second floor above the Skin Laundry with ample parking space behind the two story building. It has stairway and elevator access which is very handicap friendly. Dr. Lai can also speak Mandarin and I believe his staff can speak Mandarin and Cantonese. They also have a beautiful selection of eyewear as well which I'll be sure to check out the next time I visit! Yes, there'll be a next time! I'll be sure to refer my friends and family here as well. read more

10/10! Today was my first time coming to Dr. Lai's office and everything went by great! Scheduling an appointment was very fast and easy, I called today in the morning and was given an appointment in the afternoon. It's very convenient and helpful for those of us who are experiencing issues with our eyes. Dr. Lai is very professional and approachable. He explained the process of the exams and results very clearly and was glad to answer any questions that I had. He's a great listener and you can tell that he genuinely cares about his patients eye health. I will make sure to recommend my friends and family here. Thank you Dr. Lai and staff. read more

My daughter got a crazy stye that caused her eye to be swollen and infected badly.. she was in so much pain for a few days. Took her to see Dr. Lai and today she feels so much better so she wanted me to rate him on yelp. She said Dr. Lai doesn't lie so he deserves 5 stars! He was thorough and paid attention to little details even when his staff spelled my daughter's name wrong. He caught it right when he looked at her file and he corrected them right away. Not sure why it's so common to misspell the name Chloe but he got it so kudos to him! Friendly staff, nice and clean office! And also he was so nice for refunding me $50 just because.. Greatly appreciated! Will come back to see him for every eye issue in the future but hopefully none of us will have to deal with any eye issues because that shit just hella painful!!!! read more

Dr. Lai was incredible dealing with my anxiety and explaining everything to me. He answered all of my questions very patiently. I even called back a week later with more questions and he still took his time explaining the answers to me. I highly recommend this place. Great service, clean facility I will definitely be back in the future read more

I took my mom to visit Dr. Lai for an eye exam. When we arrived he said that he did not accept our insurance, but would have a staff member call to get a refund then give us a refund for our cash payment. Dr. Lai himself was great, but his staff was horrible. My mom would call back to check the status and the staff member would tell her that they are checking on the status and call her back. They never call back. Instead my mom needs to call back to see what is going on. Staff gets more rude each time they speak to my mom. In the end, their response was the staff member who was handling this is no longer working there. I would give him 1 star for having me jump through so many hoops, but Dr. Lai is a good doctor, but his staff needs some major improving. I will not be back and would not recommend anyone to come back unless they enjoy calling the doctor's office weekly just to be disappointed. There are plenty of other doctors around the area that you can choose from. read more