Because in my experience, anti-glare coating seems to come off and cloud them up, I requested that no coatings be put on my new lenses. My lenses started to deteriorate almost immediately after walking out of their shop. A few months later, after they had gotten to a point were they were just getting unusable, I came back to UO to see what could be done about this. I was basically told there was nothing they could do and, ha ha, if I actually HAD gotten the anti-glare coating, they would have been covered by a warrantee. So there was no "warrantee" for the lenses in general?!! I guess that's tough luck for me. Awesome... This place sucks. read more

On November 22, 2022, I placed an order for prescription glasses with the University Opticians, Inc. Gainesville, Florida. After the paperwork was done and $209 paid, I advised an optician, Mr. Fredrik Wood that I wished my new glasses lenses would be the same high quality as my old ones, from New York. On these words, Mr. Wood requested to borrow my old glasses to be sent for a pattern reference along with the order to a lab that will work with the order. For unknown reasons, it took them the whole month to complete the order. On arrival at the University Opticians office, to my dismay, I discovered that there were no more of my old glasses in existence: its 8-year-old dilapidated frame was used to install new lenses, and high-quality old lenses had been discarded by Mr Wood. On all my perplexed questions, he just shrugged his shoulders and mumbled. The new product was incapable of being worn by kept slipping down my nose. That's not all: if the right lens was hardly acceptable, the left lens seemed to be out of visual focus at all. I demonstrated to Mr. Wood that I can read smaller letters with my left naked eye than with new glasses. Yet on my request to reorder the lens, Mr. Wood continued going on that something is wrong with my left eye, or my prescription that I brought in was not accurate: "You need to see Doctor Barber. He has worked for me for 12 years. It's right here in the office." Now, as a side note, I am a 78-year-old man, not good at proving my point, easily losing train of thought, and gullible enough to follow deceiving recommendations. At that point, I said: "OK, let's get to the bottom of it". So on December 26th, I paid another $69 to Mr. Wood for seeing the doctor. At the beginning of the eye exam session, on my request to check my vision with the new glasses, Dr. Barber kind of ignored my request, and changed the subject by replying with some medical terms of which I don't have any knowledge. He proceeded with dilating the eye pupils. My vision got blurry, so it wouldn't make much sense to repeat my request. He examined the retina and told me that the prescription I brought in was correct, and he couldn't FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY LEFT EYE. Though eventually, he made vague references to some other clinics where I could check my eyes, "just in case." Afterward, I think, the first thing Dr. Barber was supposed to do was to check my vision with the new glasses on, but he didn't. Once again, I see with my naked left eye better than with these new glasses on. My guess is, that Mr. Wood had instructed Dr. Barber not to involve the glasses in the problem and to send me to some other clinic so that they would buy some time and get rid of the annoying customer. After the exam, on my request to correct the situation by reordering glasses with a new frame and the correct left lens, Mr. Wood produced a slip of paper with some clinic phone numbers suggesting that I must first to head over there to check my retina. Secondly, on my return from the clinic, I must pay for the recorder. At this point, it occurred to me, that these people don't wish me any good. As a result of it all, a heated argument developed that wound up with Mr. Wood bluntly saying to me "Get the f**k out of here." To sum up the whole ordeal, I believe, Mr. Wood committed fraud by covertly installing new lenses in the worn-out frame and discarding high-quality lenses. All in all, I feel, I have been taken advantage of by dishonest people. The place doesn't have any connection with the University of Florida Eye Clinic, they just exploit the name. Joseph Zacharow. read more

University Opticians - Eyewear & Opticians Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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Good selection of glasses and excellent service. But I miss Diane Wood who could always select the glasses that looked best on you.

Dr. Barber was extremely thorough and explained my particular vision problem in plain language. He put me at ease and I came away confident in what I needed to do after the appointment. I highly recommend Dr. Barber. read more

Both Jon Barber and Mr Josh were consummate professionals. I could not be more satisfied with their professionalism, kindness, knowledge and demeanor. They were extremely talented people able to answer all my questions in details I could easily understand and had no issue answering questions that may have been off topic. I am greatly looking forward to returning in the future both to pick up my new glasses and beyond that when I'm ready to buy prescription sunglasses. 10/10 service! Would highly recommend them to friends and family alike. read more

I came here for contact lens fitting and I couldn't be more satisfied with the service. Dr. Barber is so sweet and cautious with his work. He has a bubbly personality and shows that he genuinely cares about your eye health. The front desk staff are incredible! They are so friendly and welcoming. I felt so comfortable and assured from my first visit here and I would recommend this location for any first timers needing contacts! read more

I have gone to University opticians for over 15 years. They do an excellent job for a great price. They never charge anything extra as someone as written. It is a quiet older house which makes it easy to get into and out of. I have had my glasses adjusted numerous times and never been charged. When I want my eyes checked I can also get this done there too. As for the review by Todd. The owner is not a doctor and if you ever visit this place the people are wonderful. I am an ER nurse and always tell all my friends to go their. read more

First thing you should know about this place is that it is not a one hour eyeglass place. Nor is it a 24 hour. No, they ship it away and it can take up to A WEEK to get your glasses, though mine came in 3-4 days. That is an eternity when you have lost your other glasses and cannot get around without them. And of course they don't tell you this until the last possible second of your transaction. Come to think of it, they did not even tell me, I had to ask them. On top of that they screwed up my prescription! If you read other reviews on google there have been others. And they were really bad about getting me another eye exam, making me wait weeks because my "eyes might adjust." Total bullshit. And then believe it or not, 2 weeks into owning the glasses that they wouldn't replace, the screw fell out and then a couple days later the nosepad. And finally the last thing that irks me about this place is you do cannot just go around and try different glasses yourself. Every pair of glasses you want to try, you have to ask to try it and they bring it to you. Pretty annoying when you are like me and try on many glasses to find the right one. After all they are going on your face every single day. One of the worst business transactions I've had, and I work in a service industry and am very very forgiving. read more

University Opticians has been in businesses for over 20 years. It shows by the way the opticians work and wonderful the staff is. The owners, Frederick and Diane, are a joy to work with. They are personable, knowledgeable and work hard to try and find you the style of glasses you need. My optician, Dr. Barber, is wonderful! I couldn't ask for a more knowledgeable doctor. Furthermore, the prices are on point, nothing is to expensive, and yes, they send there glasses to a lab. They do this for quality purposes, they let me know this up front, it took about a week to get my new glasses back. I absolutely recommend University Opticians. read more

I didn't have as in-depth an experience as the guy below me, but I definitely had a positive one. I brought in glasses I had purchased online to have adjusted. The optician kindly adjusted the arms and made them sit more evenly, free of charge, even though I told him I hadn't purchased them there. I know most opticians are skeptical or downright belligerent when you mention getting your glasses online, so I appreciated the non-judgmental (and very thorough) service I got at University Opticians. read more

Mother had to come here due to her insurance. It's an old house. to try on glasses they have to get them for you which is Inconvenient when it's easier to have frames accessible to try on. They want to charge $20 to measure your eyes (PD) when it's already done for when they order glasses for you. To make it even more worthy of the 2 stars is they won't give you your prescription till your insurance pays them. Sorry but never heard of that. My mother will not return to them. read more

I came in as a walk in for an estimate on a pair of prescription glasses that I broke, and they explained to me all of my options easily! The staff is very nice, and the man who helped me genuinely cared about my problem - he tried to look the cheapest frame for me instead of trying to sell me on the most expensive. The store itself is cute and dainty. I would definitely come here again! read more

I called my Eye Care insurance provider to see where I could be seen for my yearly exam and glasses and chose University Opticians. WHAT A MISTAKE! As I was being checked in for my appointment I was told by a man named Josh, that according to their computer I do NOT have insurance coverage for an exam available so if we continue it will be full cost. I was extremely upset after driving 30 miles to get there. I asked why they had not prepared by getting pre-approval for the visit. I explained we had spoke 3 times by phone before and if there was a problem it should have been addressed then. I informed him that if he call my provider I AM covered 100% for the exam INCLUDING the glasses. At this point another man, (Come to find later this other man was the doctor and owner), came into the scene and took over. Josh sat in the back ground watching and listening. I was being told they don't call insurance companies on appointments. I continued to plea that someone get on the phone and call my provider. The information University Opticians has is NOT correct. The man eventually looked over the computer that Josh was using earlier and got on the phone to call my provider. While sitting on hold on his phone, the man asked me what my co-pay is and I told him $0. He stated the computer told him it was $35. I explained that is also NOT correct and he can confirm this as well on the call. By the end of his call it was confirmed by my insurance that I was 100% correct. I was covered 100% for the exam, including the glasses and with $0 co-pay. This is when I thought I would get an apology of some sort. NO not at all. I felt to try to turn the situation a little more comfortable, I would actually apologize. I did so and explained that I was not trying to cause any problem. I told him that I am disabled and can't deal with situations like this. That I don't understand how others do. He than rolled his eyes and rudely told me to "Quit complaining". Stating that I was making the situation worse. He walked away to inform the doctor that I was ready to be seen. I looked over to Josh, who was still just sitting in the background watching, and I told him I was leaving. As the other man came back into the room I told them I wouldn't give them a penny of my money and refuse any service from them. As I was doing this, the man pulled out the phone and got on it and called the police. I walked out the door. If you want to be treated like CRAP by UNPROFESSIONALS, this is the place! read more