The clinic was pretty easy to find and parking wasn't too bad. The doctor reviewed my info and checked on a couple things I didn't think to mention. They seemed thorough and took notes while we talked. It was a short visit but I felt like it was done properly. read more

My go to. Really kind and thoughtful optometry care. 10 years and counting. However, I believe they're moving office?

Upon entering, the clinic's cleanliness and meticulous attention to detail set a superior standard for optometry care. The front desk staff excel in efficiency, managing appointments and inquiries with ease, creating a seamless patient experience. I have been helped by Jina, Sharon, Becky; they took care of all of my concerns, down to every single detail, without me ever having to worry once at all. I was completely hands off in all of insurance claims, freeing up a ton of my time. I have been seen by Dr. Kao and Dr. Schwalbe to date; both combine expertise with genuine concern, offering personalized, comprehensive eye care in a pristine environment. I feel my eyes are in good hands. read more

This review is for an annual eye exam for kids. I took my daughter in for her annual eye exam, the optometrist asked her to cover one of her eyes with her bare hand while examining her vision for one eye at a time. I thought that was a bit strange. For all the eye exams we've had previously, we were always given a plastic covering to cover the eye instead of using a bare hand. After the eye exam, my daughter told me that she couldn't see very well after she let her hand go of one of her eyes because she was actually applying pressure to the eye when she was covering it. Of course, it was her fault that she didn't mention it to the doctor. But I don't think that using bare hand to cover an eye while examining the other is a good practice (for kids and adults). After what my daughter told me, I'm not even sure if the prescription that was given to her was accurate. read more

Great experience. Making an appointment was super easy through their online portal and I was able to get a next-day appointment. Checkil in was fast and the staff working the front desk were efficient and friendly. I saw Dr. Bui, who was awesome. One thing I really appreciated was how transparent (no pun intended) everything was. Unfortunately, it seems to be a trend at a lot of optometrists to push for fancy additions to the exam or to upsell on glasses/contacts past what ends up covered by insurance. This was not the case at STL. I was just interested in an eye exam and checking my vision prescription and at no point did I feel pressured to do more and I didn't have to push to be given my prescription. In the end, the cost was exactly what I expected based on insurance and the office staff even confirmed this before the visit on their own. Perhaps this is coming from a place of cynicism, but again, it was appreciated. As a final note, STL clearly is a great place for parents to take their kids for their eye needs, but not so much that I felt like an adult going to a pediatrician! read more

I am surprised that this doctor got so many good review. my kids and I have been her patients for over 2 years. She does not treat us as people. No smile on her face and few support during the process. I feel we are just numbers for her. read more

New patient, took kids to Dr. Kao (kid 1) last year and Dr. Wong (kid 2) this year post-covid. Online scheduling was so convenient. Very knowledgeable and friendly doctors both times, super great with kids. Super clean. They checked temperature at the door, then had us wash our hands. I was really glad to have all the procedures, because these day, you want to be on the safe side. They're so considerate not to schedule 2 appointments at the same time, to follow social distancing rules. Unlike some other practices, they are really easy going with purchasing glasses. I like this office a lot, they feel very familiar, like an old friend. I look forward to my kids' annual checkup next year. read more

STL Optometry - Optometrists Near Me - Mountain View, California

See all

Dr. Kao is the best optometrist I've had. She is knowledgeable about new technologies and in patient care. I recommend her to anyone. read more

I visited this office and you can tell the amount of thought that was put in the place. The decor is cute and modern with inviting purple walls. Frames that give one to a person in need after a purchase adds to the thoughtfulness. Not a huge place, but cozy and not claustrophobic or cluttered. Dr. Kao is knowledgeable since she has an extra year of residency training. She has since been giving back to the community and abroad in more ways than I could hope to. Not only is she thorough and personable, she really makes you feel comfortable and cares. I would highly recommend a visit to Dr. Kao for your eyecare needs! Since she was residency trained in vision therapy, she can help with many types of eyestrain or even lazy eye! She is also trained to fit those contact lenses you sleep with at night to correct your vision. I definitely have to come back for that! read more

I brought my very wiggly, impatient, and dramatic five year old for an eye exam at STL optometry, after a not so great experience at another optometrist. Everyone at STL was amazing. Absolutely wonderful experience. The front desk people are kind and polite. We saw Dr. Lai, and she was kind, patient, strategic and gentle with our kiddo, who does not yet read. She even managed to dilate their eyes, which had been impossible at the other optometrist. The selection of children's eyeglasses is outstanding, they were careful measuring, and we are very happy with our entire experience. Highly recommend, especially for young children. read more

STL Optometry - Optometrists Near Me - Mountain View, California

See all

I rarely write Yelp reviews but just had to leave one for the wonderful staff at STL! The entire process was so smooth and easy - normally I dread going to the optometrist due to previous experiences / complications with having really poor eyesight. But this time, it was super fast, and Dr. Wang + Dr. Kao were both extremely professional, patient, and friendly!! Highly recommend 10/10. read more

STL Optometry - STL offers amazing glasses that are both cute and help those in need! - Optometrists Near Me - Mountain View, California

See all

Best eye exam experience. My first visit was for a general eye exam. I made my appointment online via STL website. The appointment process was really easy and convenient. When you first stepped into the office, it didn't feel like a doctor's office at all. It was very welcoming, clean and modern. I really liked the kiddie table in the corner. Dr. Kelly Kao was amazing. I've never experienced such thorough eye exams before. Dr. Kao was super friendly and knowledgeable. She first asked if I experienced any change in vision or if I had any concerns. As she examined my eyes, she would explain each step to me and the reason of doing the step. Dr. Kao was really approachable and welcoming. I felt really comfortable sharing my concerns and asking different questions. Dr. Kao was extremely knowledgeable and sharing. I've learned so much about my eyes in just one visit to STL Optometry. After the exam, Dr. Kao went through different optical options with me - from contact lenses to glasses. When I asked about CRT, Dr. Kao explained the CRT process with me in detail - what I should expect, financial cost, and etc. I didn't feel like that I was being hard-sell to at all. After weighing all the options, I've decided to go with the CRT. Update: Second Visit - 6/3/17 During my second visit for my first CRT follow-up, I was expecting a quick visit like other eye exams I had before STL optometry. I was so surprised by the thoroughness of my second visit. Dr. Kelly Kao examined my eyes carefully. She explained how my eyes respond to the CRT treatment, what I should do after this follow-up exam and when I need to schedule next visit. I felt very confident and comfortable throughout the CRT treatment process. This is a great testament to the level of service STL Optometry provides to their patients. If you are looking for an optometrist that is passionate, welcoming, knowledgeable and does not hard-sell you on things you don't need, I would highly recommend STL Optometry and Dr. Kelly Kao. read more

See all

Dr. Kao is a wonderful and caring optometrist, but on top of that she is particularly great with kids and specializes in binocular vision therapy. It's difficult to find doctors who can provide this type of evaluation and service, and while I am not personally in need of vision therapy, I have referred many friends and children of friends to her, and know that I can entrust them 100% in her care. She is definitely my optometrist of choice for normal comprehensive eye exams, but if you've been having issues with how your eyes work together that glasses and contacts haven't been solving for you, then get a consultation from her and see if there's something beyond just your prescription that others aren't necessarily catching. read more

Clear. Focus. Accurate. All the things you would want your for your vision are also traits of Dr. Kao. Dr. Kao was informative and clear during every step of the vision exam. As I never had my eyes dilated before, she made me feel at ease during the procedure. She was also helpful in providing recommendations, helping me to select the right lens for both my contacts and glasses. Look no further. You have found one of the best optometrist in the Bay Area. read more

My boyfriend and I went to Dr. Kao's for our eye appointments with recommendations from Stephanie S. Boy, were we blown away! Unlike places like Kaiser or even other private offices, the experience you have here is one of a kind. You can really tell Dr. Kao cares about getting to know her patients and any concerns/questions they have. She takes the time to do tests, make sure you're comfortable, and answer any questions you may have. We went over my allotted time because I had extra questions, but she never rushed me to finish so she could see my boyfriend next. Even with my boyfriend, who hasn't seen an eye doctor in years, got the same kind of treatment. He loved her! Dr. Kao was able to help both of us pick out frames that were both in our price range and fit our face shapes. (My boyfriend loved his frames so much, he wanted to go back and buy another pair she suggested!) Filling out forms, giving her payment, and getting my reports were all very convenient. Highly recommend STL Optometry! read more

I went to Dr. Kao for a follow up visit after a horrendous visit at a separate optometrist office in Fremont. What a difference! If you're looking for a knowledgeable and compassionate optometrist, I highly recommend you come here. At the beginning of the visit, she did a very thorough history, asking about my symptoms and what prescription the other optometrist had given me. Then, we did the examination, where she explained what she was doing, why she was doing it, what she was looking for, etc. through the whole process. As a nurse, I really appreciated "playing the patient" and knowing how comfortable Dr. Kao made me feel- she offered so much information (that I probably would have been too scared to ask), explained that the contact lens brand I've been using causes this kind of irritation, alternative options for me if I can't continue using this contact lens brand, recommendation for filling the prescription, etc. Being offered with so much information made me feel super confident in her as my healthcare provider and I felt much more at ease because Dr. Kao was so friendly and welcoming. I definitely am switching my primary care optometrist to Dr. Kao, and ever since my visit, I've been telling all my friends and family to do the same! Her office has a wide variety of frames/glasses to choose from and a super cute "kids section"! I will definitely be back. :) read more

I found STL Optometry here on Yelp, and thought "surely the reviews are too good to be true," but gave it a whirl. Well? The office is clean, bright, and relaxing. The doctors and staff are friendly. Dr. Lai is super caring, precise, and conscientious. She went above and beyond in kitting me out with the best-fitting and -functioning contacts. She's a keeper for sure. Turns out the reviews aren't good enough. Six stars. read more

Been going here the last couple of years for my eye exam. Both Dr. Kao and Dr. Wang are excellent, friendly, and knowledgeable. The exam is very comprehensive, and they patiently took the time to answer all of my questions. Making an appointment is a breeze on their website. The waiting area is very comfortable, and they have lots of yummy snacks! read more

STL Optometry is fantastic. The staff is so nice and friendly provides an amazing experience. I had an urgent request put into Dr. Wang who was off but went above and beyond to solve my problem that same day! Both my girlfriend and I will remain patients here for a long time! Highly recommended. read more

I was very happy with my eye exam here, and with my new glasses. Dr. Kao was friendly, thorough, and explained everything she did. She patiently helped me pick out new glasses (which I love). Unlike my last optometrist, she didn't push expensive procedures and she was refreshingly low-tech. She used a ruler to measure the distance between my eyes, and recommended I clean my glasses with regular soap suds and a clean t-shirt. I will say that because she is thorough I did have to wait a while for my appointment while she helped the person before me pick out glasses. Also, I had to arrange a time to pick up my glasses - when I just stopped by during the hours they were listed as open, the office was locked. However, my interactions with Dr. Kao were so pleasant that these things did not bother me very much. read more

Wonderful doctors, great with kids, great glasses, experienced in vision therapy for dyslexia. Makes a big difference.

I recently went to STL Optometry for new contact lens' prescription and I had a good experience! I made an appointment two weeks in advance with Dr. Wang. She was really friendly and led me through all the vision tests quickly and professionally. I appreciated that the equipment was new and updated (no sitting in front of a scary machine that blasts air into your unsuspecting eyeball!!) Also, I peeked into the other room where they do vision therapy and it looks really neat with all the activities for the patients so this would be a good place if you're looking for that specialization. I went in specifically for contacts, but came out with a new pair of glasses as well. It was helpful that Samantha reviewed my insurance coverage with me before my appointment so I was aware of what I was covered for. I tried on a few pairs and loved the 141 brand for the lightness of the frame and ended up splurging for my eye health. Overall, great experience and would come back again! read more

I highly recommend STL Optometry to my friends! I recently made an appointment (online on their website, which was quick & easy) to check on a problem I was having with my contacts. Dr. Kelly Kao was friendly and professional, and was able to identify the issue quickly and offer some alternatives to try. She gave me several samples of daily contacts to try, and it felt like seeing a whole new world! She walked through my insurance plan so I could understand what benefits I had--my previous optometrists in Cupertino had never explained clearly to me how to best take advantage of my insurance, so I really appreciate that Dr. Kelly took the time to translate it for me and do the math for me so I could get the best deal. I also love the selection of glasses she has there - they are all ethical brands and also very stylish! read more

I've been seeing Dr. Kao for over a year now and she is is still the best. Dr. Kao is definitely one of the most caring doctor I've ever seen. The detail and thorough eye exams she did for me is exceptional. I am the kind of patient with lots of questions. She is patient enough that I never feel rush and very informative that all my questions got explained and answered. I can't say enough good things about Dr. Kao. She makes me feel like a family instead of a patient. Definitely recommended! read more

I hesitate to write this review because Dr. Kao is so good, you kind of want to keep her a secret so you can still snag an appointment in the future... :) Nevertheless, she deserves serious accolades for a number of reasons: 1) Tech - Unlike most other optometrists in the area, Dr. Kao has real online booking. Not fill out this form and we'll get back to you - but you're good to go for tomorrow, now go on with your life. 2) Focus - This isn't an optometric factory where salespeople are making pitches all around you while other customers are queuing up five deep. Instead, Dr. Kao sees a single patient at a time, examines your eyes, recommends frames, and makes sure that you're satisfied. When was the last time you had a whole hour of attention from a skilled healthcare provider? 3) Care - And that hour is time well-spent because Dr. Kao genuinely wants to make you feel comfortable. Even if you're a total baby about eye drops, even if you're not sure you want new frames, she makes you feel welcome and at-ease throughout. It's no wonder she left a job at Google to serve patients all the way down to squirmy, little kids - Dr. Kao just seems like a great person. So do what you have to do - go ahead and book an appointment with Dr. Kao. Just be sure to save her existing fans a spot or two, will ya? read more

So happy to have found this optometrist office. The whole staff is super patient and helpful, kind and professional. I have been seen for new glasses and contact lenses. They've been very caring with me, helping me get what I need. And when I need to bring my kids with me the staff is helpful and patient with them while I'm being seen. Dr. Lai really cares about her patients. Not just getting a prescription and send us out the door. She really wants her patients to be comfortable and get the best apparatus for our needs! read more

Brought my 11 month old son in to check if his eyes are turned. Luckily they're not and he just has awesome Asian eyes. Dr. Kelly was really accommodating as we had car issues and were 45 min late for our appointment. She is so friendly and patient. I'm so happy we found her. She's a fantastic optometrist for adults and kids. read more

I had an appt today and I'm very satisfied with the end results of my consultation. Dr Kelly took time to explain everything and gave me suggestions on my current glasses. I'll be getting a new glass with prescription on my old Oakley's frames....I'm happy with that! Good experience. read more

I was a patient of Dr. Wang's at her previous gig and she has been definitely one of my favorite optometrists I've seen! Very attentive to what my eyes needed, recommended I get eye muscle therapy to address the strain I experience when reading. Still debating this plan of care but if you need your eyes checked, go see Dr Wang. read more

I had a really wonderful experience at STL Optometry. It had been quite a while (maybe three years?) since I had last gotten my eyes checked and Dr. Crystal Wang and Samantha made it go very smoothly. They clearly prioritized my needs and made sure I understood how my vision plan worked (it was apparently quite complicated). The entire time both were very friendly and welcoming, from when I first walked through the door to the end when they helped me choose out my brand new pair of glasses. The fact that every frame they carry supports efforts to give eye care to those in need made quite an impression. I wholeheartedly recommend this optometry clinic! read more

Dr. Kao is so great! She is kind, efficient, and knowledgeable. She is very attentive to each of her patients (present, answers questions with patience and obvious experience, remembers personal details, etc.). Also, the facility is beautiful and welcoming. I'd highly recommend STL optometry! read more

This is the best place to have eye exam or binocular exam. My son is very active and the doctor is very lively and engaging with my son. And the exam was a breeze for us and him, thanks to doctor. read more