Great place. Takes Iowa Total Care so there was no copay for the exam. Doctor was incredibly nice, got me in and out so quickly. Not much to look at on the outside but a really great little location for an eye exam. Did not get glasses there so cannot speak to that part, but the exam was quick and easy and I was in and out with prescription in hand in no time. read more

My daughter had eye surgery had to get different glasses. First time they forgot to order the bifocals in them. That was a waste of two weeks. The second time got the glasses with the bifocals and she can not read with the glasses. I refused to pay the 50.00 fee for a bifocal that she can not read out of. very unhappy with their services. They just told me they were already losing money. Not my fault they did not get things right. read more

Dr. Pfeifer and his staff are incredibly kind, efficient, and good-humored. I was able to schedule an appointment with less than 24 hours' notice and get in. Office is easy-to-find (if small) and, although I wasn't there to order them, their selection of glasses frames is both large and aesthetically pleasing. I was extremely satisfied with my exam experience. [Addendum: contacts feel and work great. Five stars.] read more

I went to Looking Glass to order new glasses as they were one of the few providers in my (super small) insurance network. I am so happy I chose to go here. The staff here is nothing short of genuine, friendly, personable and knowledgeable. The gal, an optician I assume (wish I remembered her name!) knew exactly what to do with my insurance and was able to tell me right away how much insurance covers/what I need to pay/how long it would take to get my new glasses. There was also an eye doctor that was super helpful too. They were also super knowledgeable about fit of frames, what they were made of, shape, shape of my face; all of the variables that go into getting new frames! Best experience I've had at any health care facility in Iowa City/Coralville in terms of customer service. Thank you! read more

Lots of appointments at Target South in Cedar Rapids and appointments are quick. Schedule online and show up shortly before. Dr. P. is very friendly and informative. Have been going there for 5+ years for annual exam and will continue. read more

Great service, reasonable prices, great frame selection. Type of lenses they use, I've never had a problem with getting the right prescription and getting everything fitted correctly since I have progressive lenses. read more

Buyer beware. They have a horrible lab that they work with to make the glasses. Two tries to get my progressive bifocals right and both times they were ground imperfectly. Looking glass owner refused to get it right. I used the prescription from their house optometrist and ordered new glasses from www.zennioptical.com and got them in 10 days and they were perfect....only $67.00 vs the $400+ Looking Glass charged me. I will NEVER go back to Looking Glass again. The owner talks a good line, but he is more concerned with his profits than pleasing his customers. Sad. read more

Very Poor Service at The Looking Glass Optical in Coralville, Iowa! I had to go back 3 times becuz they couldnt get my contacts right and finally after the 3rd time when i couldnt see the doctor said: " i dont want to take a loss on the soft contacts and its not like you'll have to wear these contacts forever so you'll just have to live with these. I couldnt believe that! Normally they work with u until they get it right! Then when i went back for my glasses they just gave them to me and never adjusted them on my face for fitting or adjusted the pantoscopic tilt or anything and i couldnt see well for a month until i made the adjustments myself! PLUS there was a defect in the lense at the bottom. Something isnt right there. K read more

I don't usually write reviews for the stores I visited. However, I feel like this time I have to say something to help other customers (who prefer to search places online) avoid The Looking Glass Optical's hidden policy. The place looks nice to me at first, but some of their staffs are not professional at all. I originally went there to see if they could fix my old broken frame. They said they couldn't because the damage was severe. So they recommended me getting a new frame, which would cost about $200. I left and wanted to see if there's anywhere else can fix my frame or if there's any other way I can make my old glasses work. After visiting a few places, the answer would be a "no"; I need a new pair of glasses or replace the frame. I thought Looking Glass Optical gave me a good first impression so I went back. I purchased one of the frames that could fit into my old lenses and went home. During the time at the store, no one mentioned to me about any of their policies. They didn't even give me a case for the new frame. By the way, the person at the front desk was confused while working on my paperwork (he didn't know where to put my name or when to ask me to swipe my card). Later that day, I felt that the replaced frame was nothing compared to my old one. I didn't feel the same way at least, perhaps the lenses were too far on the new frame or the power of my old lenses were not strong enough. Also considering the price of the frame, I wanted to return it. Since I didn't have time for the next couple days, I went back on the third day of my purchase. The person at the front desk was different, but she told me that the store, according to their policy (which cannot be found online, maybe it's somewhere in store but I didn't see it the first time when I was there), doesn't take any returns at all because the item has been used. She even contacted her manager, but the result turned out to be the same. This is ridiculous. I only wore the frame for a couple of hours and I still have the receipt. It's nothing like the lenses or contact lenses, once they've been cut or worn they cannot be returned. At least someone should tell me about their return or exchange policy in advance so people would be aware of that and make decisions carefully. Look out for their policy! read more

Used car-salesman effect. Had I accidentally walked into the cash advance store next to The Looking Glass for my eye appt? 2 appts later, I see double out of my glasses & I need to get a correct contacts & glasses Rx from a new Dr. Appt#1: 5-min check-up; 45 mins in office. "Your eyes are trying too hard," the Dr. said. Sweet. Instead of -5.25 contacts power L & -6.5 R, I was given -4.0 L & -6.0 R. He told me to try these for a week & come back to order contacts but "I've got your glasses Rx ready to go." Strange. I guess you can wear glasses higher or lower to see clearly, but yes, my contacts should be exact. He asked to dilate my eyes at the next appt. I have never had a 2d appt for my annually-declining eyesight. I perused 1/3 of the frames & the clerk stopped me to encourage me to complete my purchase now. The salesman & clerk proceeded to sell me on all of the glasses extras. I had to ask them to order the free (insurance-included) glasses' coatings & they wouldn't sell me the lowest-priced antireflective coating b/c "I'd put you in the mid or high category. If you get the lowest you'll just be back in b/c you'll see double." I felt pegged as having money. I wore clearance-priced, but name brand clothes & I answered the good-cop Dr.'s questions about travel & my spouse's work. After declining the bad-cop salesman's antireflective coating sales pitch several times, he gave up & said some people hate the coating. I felt more like shark bait then at a healthcare office that cared about my vision; is that too much to ask? I told the duo I wouldn't buy contacts there. The salesman said their supplier won't let them sell contacts below a certain, not-given-to-me price. "You can look the price up on 1-800-Contacts & it will be the same. Call it price-fixing, if you will..." I said OK & thanked him. Appt#1 non-itemized receipt: $68 glasses fees; insurance: frames & visit. I booked the soonest I could for my next week appt: 2 weeks out, when the Dr. is in. The office called the next week saying I owed $24 for the contact-fitting. They were the same brand I always wear but apparently it costs to follow the Dr.'s order: try on this pair & wear them for a week (or 2). I offered to pay over the phone & the clerk said I could pay at my next appt. Appt#2: 5-min check-up; 45 mins in office. The Dr. seemed slightly surprised when he asked how my contacts were & I said fine. He did his routine, dilated my eyes & told me to wait in the lobby while my eyes dilated. He told his sales duo I was ready to order while he rotated 2 other customers through. "I'm not going to order contacts, but I'll take my Rx with me." I got the same price fixing spiel. Thanks. I asked the clerk for my glasses & contacts Rx again. She gave me the glasses Rx & the salesman repeated that the price will be the same... Thank you. I tried on my glasses, the clerk adjusted them for better or for worse & I said "I'm seeing double. I just got my eyes dilated." "Oh," she said. I asked to pay the $24 for my contact-fitting. "It's actually $44.00." OK, I vowed to pay now & never return. I tallied their earnings for, uh, glasses I can't see out of, 10 mins of Dr. time in 2 appts & my mysterious contacts Rx: $68+44+$130frames+$70-100visit1... Not 10 mins later, it was my turn. The Dr. checked my eyes & abruptly asked if I have any questions. Slightly startled by the monotone routine Q's to the quick, in-your-face "Do you have any questions?" but this time I was ready: "How's my keratoconus (thinning eyeballs/misshapen cornea)?" "There's no evidence of it now. Any other questions?" Umm, no....wondering if he checked for or noticed keratoconus on my intake form. Prior, I was denied laser surgery b/c my cornea was too thin. I wish the Dr. would've updated me on my cornea healing without me having to ask, tested the thickness of my eyes & referred me to an eye surgeon if I really don't have keratoconus. Back in the lobby, I got the same sales pitch. I stared at him & asked the clerk for my contacts Rx again. The duo huddled in the back (closet behind the front desk) & whispered as my Rx printed there b/c the front desk printer just wouldn't work. The salesman returned & said their price for a 12-pack of Acuvue Oasys is $68.00. "I just thought I'd tell you that. You can compare with..." Before fees & more appts, I bet it is $68.00. I thanked him again & went silent. The clerk walked slowly to the front with my Rx. She asked if I needed to book another appt. No. "He's all done?" she asked surprised. "Yeah," I said thinking 2 appts was more than enough. My contact Rx was -4.75 L & -6.0 R. Funny, I had contacts with -4.0 & -6.0 for 2 weeks. I tested each eye & realized I relied on my R eye for 2 weeks. I took out my contacts & tried my glasses, still seeing double. Week 3: I tried my glasses on many times to no avail; I stumble around, get a headache & have to lay down. I'll be getting a new Rx/contacts/glasses elsewhere & I advise you do the same. read more

The doctor there is very nice and gave me a thorough exam. My glasses fit just fine and I can see great. About a week after I got the glasses, I sat on them. The man there was able to straighten them and now they fit just as good as before. Overall an excellent experience. Highly recommended! read more