I have been seeing (no pun intended) Dr. Le for a few years and receive excellent service and care by her and her staff. She was recommended by a friend who is also her patient. Her staff is also very helpful and patient with me when I take forever to pick out new frames. :) read more

Dr Le is a true professional and personable. I received my yearly eye checkup for contact and eyeglass prescription. She explains things very clearly and informatively. I appreciated that she took her time and was very efficient. The staff deserves 5 stars too for their customer service, friendly and on top of things! Thank you Dr Le & Staff. "Eye" will be seeing you all next year! read more

I have been purchasing both reading glasses and sunglasses from the folks at Spex 454 for the past 6 years now. The staff are very helpful and I have always been pleased with my purchase. My latest Gucci sunglasses are fabulous and I was fitted by the optometrist personally. The store is easily accessible and is a perfect excuse for checking out downtown Monterey. There is a wide selection for everyone and I wouldn't think of going anywhere else for my eye exams, eyewear (prescription and recreational), and outstanding customer service. read more

Dr. Li is wonderful, very professional, and great with kids. She is very kind and helpful. Her staff is also great. Our whole family has been going to Spex 454 for years, and we highly recommend. read more

Have one business with Spex 454 over the last few years, as they carry Oliver Peoples glasses. For the most part service has been great until now. I took 2 pair of prescription sunglasses and one pair prescription glasses to have Rx. updated. This was on 2/10/24. I hadn't heard anything for 4 weeks and called to hear about status of my glasses. I was told they had not come in yet, and the frame of my regular prescription glasses had broken. They stated the were warranted and a new pair would be coming. I Stopped by on around March 22nd to check on status of my glasses as I had again not heard anything. Bryanna was behind counter and produced my sunglasses and apologized for no-one informing me of their arrival. my regular glasses had not come in. She then contacted me a couple of weeks later to say frames where on the way and that they should be in, in a few days. They finally arrived and Bryanna called to tell me they were in. I arrived to pick them up and found that the lenses were causing me to clearly focus. I took them home to see if time would help situation. It did not and went back today 4/16/24. Bryanna found the measurements were off and remeasured to have a new pair made. I am waiting hopefully, that this will fix my problem. I would like to say Bryanna was fantastic in assisting me. I was able to speak to here directly via phone regarding my situation . She was always very polite and professional. read more

I tried this place once and I will never return again. It took a total of 3 appointments and two different "doctors" to get my contact prescription. Why? They couldn't figure out my exact prescription with my astigmatism. One of them had to use my glasses to get an idea of what it was. Then, they charged me the full amount for the visit and said I could use the $150 covered by my insurance to purchase contact lenses.. really? Shouldn't I have made that decision? Now, I'm wearing contacts that don't help me with my vision at night and I have to wait a couple more weeks for an appointment with my regular Dr. DON'T BOTHER read more

They don' deserve 1 star. If there's a zero star, I'll give them zero. I already posted a review on google but it seems they deleted my review. They only keep the 5 star reviews. They're doing bad business. They charged my 2 vision insurance both for the eye check up where they could have only charged one. They did not gave me the right prescription and did not even offer a refund. They have bad customer service. They're selling their glasses too expensive with 200% margin mark up price. I will not recommend them. read more

Review based on the lack of frame selection and lack of accessibility to try on frames. I'm shocked!!! Save yourself the disappointment and venture to Spex in Santa Cruz where you can try in frames without assistance and where they have a fabulous selection of fashion frames available. read more

Love this place!! The doctors are amazing and the staff is very helpful. No waiting around! Get in and out with great results!

Update: I finally did get a replacement for my incorrect pair of contacts, but it required three more separate trips in order to replace all 12 lenses! (3 the first trip, 3 the second, and 6 the third). Each time I showed up I had to re-tell the whole story again because they had no idea why I wanted to exchange contacts. read more

Dr. Lee is an outstanding thoughtful professional. Highly recommended! read more

I got my first pair of glasses here about 12 years ago. They were classy DKNY thin black frames, very Lisa Loeb which was in at the time. Haha. Good service and clean atmosphere. Glasses only broke this year because I stepped on them by mistake. I upgraded to faux wood frames by RayBan, shoot they were pricey even for Denver. It doesn't matter because I only wear glasses a handful of times a year. My vision is so bad I get dizzy wearing glasses. Sucks for me. read more

I found this place when we were on vacation and window shopping a couple years ago. The shop and clean and they have a very wide selection of frames to choose from! The optometrist was very, very thorough with my exam and she took the time to explained to me all the little stuff that the various tests that she was performing. I really didn't like the part where she dialated my eyes, but when she explained why it needs to be done, it was all good. One of the best exam I ever had! I had lasik done since then, but I still make the drive down to have my exam performed at Spex every year. That's how much I like the service! Their frame selection are also excellent. So instead for prescription glasses, I go there to get my sunglasses. Maui Jims are my favorite now!!! The first pair I bought, I broke, all I had to do was send it down to the shop and they took care of the replacement in 2 weeks. I have three pairs of Maui Jims now. read more

Great selction of frames with competitive sales. The service was very professional and the quality was

Spex454 is a wonderful optometrist and boutique in downtown Monterey. The storefront itself is a little unassuming, but inside there is a wonderful selection of frames; both high-end designer brands like Oliver Peoples and Salvatore Ferragamo, and more modest in-budget styles. The staff is very attentive and knowledgeable, and were able to answer questions about frame options and styles, as well as taking the time to let customers try on as many frames as they like, giving their own advice and critique on each frame. They accept a wide range of insurance, and are very helpful in explaining benefits and showing a range of options to fit in budgets. The doctor, Doctor Le, is very sweet and attentive. She worked her hardest to ensure total comfort with prescriptions, as well as making several suggestions to improve overall comfort and eye health catered to patient-specific needs. I would recommend Spex454 to anyone looking for quality eyeware and a hands-on doctor approach. read more

Excellent experience at Spex 454! I just got on my husbands vision insurance and really needed a new pair of glasses. I called and got an appointment in 3 days. I arrived and by the time I finished my paperwork the doctor was ready for me. I really liked her! While my eyes were being dilated I chose my frames. The guy was very helpful. The whole appointment took less than hour. My glasses arrived in 1 week. Omg such a great experience! I don't miss Lens Crafters at all! read more

I had an awful experience at this place. I have been wearing glasses for 30 years, had many prescriptions and never had a bad one....until I went to Spex 454. I went in for an exam. When my glasses were ready (2 weeks) I went in and I couldn't see a thing through them. All blurry. I said I wanted my prescription checked as something obviously went wrong. they said they checked and it was the right prescription. I said I wanted my money back...so they gave me a 2nd exam. Same problem with the new glasses. I don't believe they ever even sent them back. They were dangerous to wear, but I did. For 4 months! I called them during this time and they said "Sorry". What?? I called my Credit Card company and asked to dispute the charges as the product wasn't right. Spex responded to the company with outright lies about my "poor vision issues" (20/20 with lenses) and also shared that their policy states "No refunds No exchanges" and that I signed it. Somewhere in the small print. So, I was stuck paying the $600. I went to another optometrist and got another exam, prescription (another $200) and glasses that are fabulous! I took that prescription to Spex 454 and demanded that use that prescription for my glasses. Edwardo at the desk was the only helpful one through all of my visits. He talked to the Dr. and got her to replace the lenses. I should get them next week. I hope this ordeal will be over and I will NEVER return there or recommend them to anyone. read more

Drs lee and Kim are the most professional and friendly optometrists . Dr. Lee even called me back a few days later re my reading glasses before my InterAact trip. Highly recommended read more

Don't go here ! I've been going to eye doctors for 15 years and it's my worst experience yet. I went here to get a contact prescription. Everything seemed okay (they were pushy about new glasses though) but when I tried to get the prescription to order contacts they said I needed a second appointment. I'm not going in again, that's what the first appointment was for. They said the doctor needed to "finalize the prescription". Never heard of that at any of office. So I'm now left with no contacts and no prescription despite paying for my appointment to get one. read more

FOR YOUR POCKET's SAKE, DO SOME RESEARCH FIRST! Everybody was very nice and professional. They kept apologizing for making me wait for almost half hour after I arrived for my scheduled appointment. They did forget to mention, when I made the appointment on the phone, that they have a parking lot accessible from a different street, so I used street parking (1 hour limit) and because they made me wait so long before seeing me, I was parked for over an hour and got a parking ticket. Also, they did not mention that the contact lens exam was not included in my eye exam, like the exam for my glasses was. Very annoying, because I didn't need contact lenses so I wouldn't have had the exam had I known they would charge extra ($109) for it. The low rating is also for the shameless overpricing of eye glasses (lenses). Stunned, I came home and made just 2 calls; I found a place that sells the high index, anti-reflective coating lenses I need at 1/3 of Spex 454's price!!! read more

**update** I had to remove 2 stars from my review, unfortunately. We went in for our yearly exam a couple of weeks ago. We got our contacts in time for us to be out of town for 6 days. My partner opened his new boxes while we were gone and threw away his old ones (as you usually do) and the prescription was wrong. Apparently, the manufacturer sent the wrong one, but it didn't get checked in correctly when it arrived. There was a really big damper on our vacation because he could only see out of one eye. Literally- his eyes are really bad. I tried my new contacts shortly after, and they seemed fine until I got to work. One started itching and didn't feel right. I also couldn't see at my computer straight. I give them a call, and LOW AND BEHOLD they ordered the wrong prescription in one eye! They offered to replace the one box that was wrong, and I told them what happened and just got a '...sorry....' I don't know what else I would have expected, but I am pretty sick of having to come to this place. I have to say- I will be going elsewhere from now on. **old review**I really do love this place. Staff is always super friendly and helpful, Dr. is the same. When you order your contacts, they have them within a day, which is great! I took one star off though- I have had to take my new glasses in 3 times since purchase, and I've only worn them about 5 times. 1st time, lens was scratched at first pick up (problem with the coating) 2nd time, a couple of jewels fell off. 3rd time, lens is scratched again (waiting to see if it's the coating...). However, they have been more than willing to take them in and fix them for me, and it's just a minor inconvenience to have to keep dropping them off. read more

I had an eye emergency come up, of course on a Saturday. Very lucky for me, Spex 454 was open! Even though they were booked, due to the circumstances the gentleman at the desk told me to come in and they'd get me in but it might be kind of a wait. I wasn't waiting more than 15 minutes before I was seen! The doctor was so kind and reassuring. She took the time to really question me and get to know what was going on, and actually explain what I was experiencing and what I should look out for. I am so thankful I went to Spex 454! I wasn't a patient there previously, but I will be now. Thank you very much Kyle and Dr. Cao-Le! read more

Great service! Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Spex almost looks like an art gallery. Designer frames can be pricey, but where aren't they? Not too many styles for men, but the ladies are set. Fast turn around on lenses, contacts and frames. read more

I'd give SPEX 454 a 5-Star, but I didn't actually have my lens prescription completed there. I went in on two different days to check out frames, and on both days I was treated very well and experienced excellent customer service. The staff are patient, friendly and helpful in suggesting frames. On my second visit I was lucky enough to be helped by one of the actual Optometrists, and she was awesome. All in all, I found SPEX 454 to be a great place to shop for eyeglass frames and would recommend it to anyone looking for hip, modern and stylish eyewear! read more

The receptionist/scheduler Kyle was outstanding. I came in wanting to fill my contacts prescription since my insurance listed them as a place to go. Upon arrival he greeted me and helped me figure the insurance out because they said I wasn't covered and they were not in network. He called and got someone to verify my benefits and they are in network he spent about a hour and a half on this and then had to call the doctor who wrote the rx to verify the prescription since it was written not that great if I would have ordered myself I would have ordered the wrong lens. It took him about 2 hours. He was very patient and helpful. I told my hr about all of this since this is where we were told was in network so all my coworkers who ask will be referred here I recommend them to anyone. Thank you Kyle for all your patience and helpfulness read more

I've only been in Spex 454 twice, and each time it was to get a pair of glasses repaired. The first time was about 6 years ago, and they very happily took care of my sunglasses to where they were as good as new. I went in again today, to get my wife's glasses fixed. There was a small piece missing, and they took care of it in about 30 minutes AT NO CHARGE!! I have no idea if this sort of thing is normal for optometrists, but I'm very happy with their service. read more

Came here to get nose pad replaced. Service was excellent. I overheard another person helping a rather confused customer, and she was extremely patient, clear and helpful. read more

I love going to his place. My optometrist Dr. Kim, is a lovely and knowledgable Doctor. I've been going to this office for about four years now and the service is individually catered and they have a great selection of frames. The staff is friendly and efficient! I highly recommend Spex for any and all your eyewear needs. read more

I was disappointed with the lack of service I received from Spex 454. After working for four years in an optometry office as an optician, I am familiar with the policies and procedures in an optometry office. On a follow up exam with the optometrist, I voiced my concerns to her about my new prescription. The new prescription didn't feel strong enough. The optometrist just brushed off my concerns and did not acknowledge my concerns. On another account, one evening one of my contacts got stuck in my eye. I went to the optometrist office as she was closing up. The first question she asked me was "Do you have insurance?" After I informed her that i was a patient of hers, it took her 15 minutes to look in my file and decide if she was going to help me while i stood outside of her office building. Meanwhile, I still had the contact stuck in my eye and she had not stated whether or not she was going to help me. The thing that upset me the most was her lack of concern for my eye. If you need any nosepads or parts fixed on your glasses and you got your frame from another store, she'll charge you up to $5 for repairs. There are many other stores that will not charge you a penny to do small repairs even if you got your frames from another store. I spent about $150 in her office and she wanted to charge me an additional $5 to change the nose pads on my glasses. Overall, the service was horrible. I do not intend to go back there. read more

I have worn glasses since 1963 and never have I spent so much and had so much trouble than I did last August with this place. My frames were so badly fitted that my own ophthalmologist said I could barely see out of one eye with them on. The staff was patronizing and the owner has been unwilling to work with me in a satisfactory manner. I learned my lesson (it cost me over $700) - I will only use Lens Crafters from now on! Buyer Beware! read more

I was super worried when I first walked in because of all the bad reviews. However I decided to ask for all the cost information up front. While the contact appointment was extra, they were able to take it out of my insurance for glasses/contacts. Next I had problems with my contacts because I'm getting old and now need eye glasses over my contacts. They let me test out tons of contacts and see me again for free. Then, because I needed more help, they gave me three options to address the issue, one of which was eye therapy so that I wouldn't need readying glasses in the future. I've never been given that option before and I was stoked to learn about it. I didn't get new glasses there but they did say they would match other places. All-in-all very stoked to have stayed with Spex 454! read more

My first experience on this place was ok. I went there to get a new contacts and glasses prescription. They are so slow with the glasses. You have to be on top of them and call almost every day to ask what is the status. Stil it took 2 weeks to get my glasses, and I found out they've arrived 3 days earlier but did not tell me until I called... Similarly for the contacts, however, the Optometrist was very nice and gave me a pair of trials in the meantime while waiting for my contacts prescription. 8 months later I wanted to change BRAND of my contacts because at least 25% of the contacts in the box ripped within 1 or 2 days of use. I called them and they told me that in order to change brands I HAD to schedule a NEW CONTACTS FITTING appointment. I explained that my prescription still seems fine and I just wanted to try a new brand and they told me again that a NEW CONTACT FITTING is required. I think this is BS, so I went and order online from ANOTHER company and a DIFFERENT brand of what I was using. It seems that the "you need a new contacts fitting" excuse is a way of just taking your money. I will never go back to this place for sure. read more

The worst optometrist ever! They try to sell only the expensive upgrades, offer you no service once you have paid for your order, and then maintain that they are right and you the customer is wrong! Then because you initialed some line on a receipt as you place your order, you find out that they will not do anything for you at all. The very worst experience dealing with any professional service ever. Don't go there, unless you want to get ripped off! Never ever go there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

Do NOT go to Spex454 in downtown Monterey. My husband and I went there for eye exams and then selected the frames we wanted. Spex454 took our measurements and ordered our glasses. When our glasses arrived, my husband tried his on and said they were too narrow/too tight. Spex454 told us the glasses would stretch out. They never did. But, when we went back to return the glasses, Spex454 said, "Sorry! The glasses cannot be returned" -- even after we showed the mark the glasses left on my husband's temple from being too tight. The company refused to budge. We literally wasted hundreds of dollars on glasses my husband couldn't wear. Really frustrating!! read more

this place is okay, but i prefer costco optical for the price.

I have been going here for over five years. You will not find a better optometrist as Dr. Lee anywhere. She exceeds what is expected from an eye appointment for vision. She is very concerned about her patients. I feel like I am seeing more than an optometrist. Recently she noticed my eye pressures were out of range and contacted/referred me to my opthamologist herself so I could be seen as soon as possible. Also, the office goes to every effort to make sure your insurance claims are handled efficiently and cover as much as possible. read more

They're fast and get your item back to you really quickly however I did not care for Lisa Loeb. She was frustrated with my questions, didn't get what I was asking or what I wanted which is perfectly within my rights and my health insurance. They try to upsell way too much. I won't be back. I will go back to my old Optometrist Dr. Nakijima. read more

I go here for regular exams and replacing contacts. The shop is clean and friendly, and I've never had a problem with the staff. They don;t have a large selection of glasses, but I mostly wear contacts and just use glasses as back-up so I don't mind. Contact orders are usually ready in 1-2 days which is fine for me. The location in downtown Monterey on Alvarado St is convenient for me while running other errands. read more

extremely pushy, arrogant place with lots of attitude thinking everyone wants a pair of glasses close to a 1 k in price. when you hear one of these " do you have triple a, or aarp?" discounts in these optical places you know you are being soaked to the max. for a simple pair of glasses. next... read more

I recently went into Spex 454 in Monterey for the first time. I was greeted immediately by a very warm, friendly and knowledgeable staff person, Liz. She was extremely patient and helpful as I took awhile to try on different frames and I asked a lot of questions about Crizal lens coatings. She provided helpful answers that were clear and complete. I needed to order three pairs of glasses: Regular progressive lenses, progressive sunglasses, and a pair to use at the computer. I knew this was going to be expensive and Liz went out of her way to compare and calculate association and insurance plans for me to reach the most savings. I also met, and worked with, the office director, Amy, who was equally as warm, knowledgeable and helpful. I'll definately go back there in the future when I need new glasses. They were great! read more