Agree with other Yelpers that Dr Nguyen is great, but that the staff here is not friendly and commission oriented. During my optical photo capture, the technician was rushing to capture the photo and just kept flashing it when it clearly wasn't ready. Last time I ordered glasses and was rushed through the fitting process. Had to come back a second time because they didn't fit right. They do accept VSP, but I've given them two shots and this is a recurring pattern. I'll have to find someone else. read more

This place used to be great, honestly. I think they've been bought out by a larger corporation, which always stinks and is guaranteed to make the customer experience worse. I ordered a new pair of glasses over a month ago, was told that they'd be available in ten days, then got a phone call after three weeks that the lab had messed up the prescription so they needed to return them and reorder. I was then told this would be marked to expedite it but it's been two weeks since then, so I'm guessing it's a no on the expediting. I sent a follow up message through their new fancy website that hasn't been returned, and I just now spent ten minutes talking to an AI creation before I was able to say the magic words that got me to a voice mailbox. Who knows if anyone will respond to that. Can I just get my new glasses please? read more

I was seen by Dr. Christine Yim who is very knowledgeable and efficient. My biggest concern with this practice is that they have very poor communication. For example, Iwas scheduled to see someone at 2:30 PM but they do message me asking me to confirm my appointment at 3 PM. Then, I wanted to pick up my contact at a certain time and they sent me a text saying that they were there, but apparently it wasn't but rather it was a previous trial contacts. As a physician, I can confidently say that they care I received by coordinators was not well coordinated, but the care I received itself was quite good. read more

Dr. Ann Nguyen deserves 5 stars . She's an amazing provider and truly listens to your concerns. I've been going to them for 2 years now. If this review was solely on her it would be 5 stars. But I can't give 5 stars because of Bob who can be very rude if you choose not to get glasses with them. It seems like his job is commission based because they will add every "add on $$" under the sun and tell you it's necessary. I came in because I just wanted to use my allowance for the year and was pushed soooo hard. I said I would just think about it and come back if I'm interested and he was like "no why?? Let me be the tie breaker! Let me choose if it's between one or the other" like no I straight up told you I was here to use my allowance for the year and that's it and you're trying to charge me $460. I don't even NEED glasses. I barely use them. I just wanted to use my allowance for the year. Then me telling him that I wasn't sure because I want to JUST use my insurance just upset him-- or ticked him off he said "I tell everyone to just look for what they like and go from there" like ok not everyone has $400-500 of disposable income. He then says let's just switch out the lenses on your frames from last year. The doctor told me my prescription barely changed. They're literally almost the exact same prescription but he's like "let's switch them out I don't want you to lose your allowance for this year". But the lenses will be $200+ (because of the add ons that they deem "necessary"). Why would I spend $200... to switch the lenses out... when my prescription is relatively the same LOL. He said I needed to make my mind up as soon as possible because they are very busy. He said "you need to come back with the frames today so I can fit you in, otherwise we won't have time". SOOOO pushy. It made me so uncomfortable! Imagine saying no numerous times and them pushing you ALL THE WAY TO THE END!! I'm checking out and you're still pushing me!! When I got to the counter to check out Bob didn't even give me my written prescription!! He grabbed all the paperwork from me (seemingly upset). I had to ASK for my prescription, he just handed me my receipt with no paperwork. When I asked for my prescription he said "you know it doesn't matter where you go, VSP charges the same no matter where you go!". And hands me my prescription rudely. Like I didn't just pay for my appointment? LOL like I was asking him for some huge favor?? Like are you serious??? He was nice to me last year when I spent $300 on glasses! :-) not so much when I declined this year. But Dr. Ann Nguyen and the rest of the staff is great. The medical aspect of the appointment is wonderful :-) read more

If you are looking for an optometry establishment that understands the basics of common courtesy, don't waste your time going here. I could not have received a worse experience with the staff just getting basic questions answered. They were very anxious to get rid of me and no, I did not have body odor nor was I rude to them and yes, I did have insurance. They simply could not be bothered. It must be hard finding good help for a low paying reception job but it doesn't take much to be human. read more

I went in for a simple annual eye exam / contact lens fitting, but left extremely frustrated. While checking out, I was suspicious given that the person assisting me was writing prices down without consulting anything. The contacts seemed expensive but he assured me that I could get a $250 rebate through Accuvue. When I got home, I looked at my receipt and it still seemed a bit expensive and there was one charge I didn't understand. I called, and was reassured that everything was correct and that the rebate works for plenty of customers. However, he said he could have his manager call me the next day to discuss more. When the manager called the next day, not only had I been wrongly charged $100 for the exact thing I had inquired about the day before, but I was given completely wrong information about the rebate. I would only get a maximum of $20 from the rebate. They refunded me for what they overcharged me for, but if I hadn't been insistent and called after my appointment I don't think they would have ever discovered their error. I won't be returning. read more

Had the most wonderful appointment at this office from the moment I walked in to seeing the doctor herself, everyone was thorough, personable, and informative. Couldn't recommend it enough!! Even when it got busy they made sure to take their time to address each customers needs, but also did not make us wait long either. read more

Donna and Dennis are so sweet and good. I have problems with my prescription every year or so. Wheni have gone to the eye surgeon they give me the wrong numbers. Dennis makes new glasses and they are wrong most of the time. Then Dennis re tests and comes up with correct lenses with much more cutting edge equipment and voila they always work. No hassel or cost when he has to redo them. Last time he said I had cataracts tht glasses cant fix and reccomended dr. Bryan Lee in los altos. Fixed my right eye perfectly in 4-18. So good i did not need glasses. Talk about putting client needs ahead himself. My vision just started to get weaker. I scheduled an appointment. They called me back said i probably had cataracts in my other eye. No sense in me getting dialted twice. He sent me back to Dr. Lee. Lee told me in 4-18 the left eye had cataracts too and I would probably need to be done at some point. Like now. If the surgery works i may not need glasses again. Again putting client needs above his profit. Love them! read more

They are rude and do not respond to the phone calls and changed appointments and then did not show up to fit the glasses when they said they would. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone read more

Dr. Ann Nguyen was extremely nice, she went through all the results clearly and made sure I understand them.

I had a great experience with the team at University Optometry as I had my yearly exam . I was helped from the time I pressed the bell, all the way to getting the right prescription glasses. Dr. Yim did an exceptional job on finding the right prescription numbers for my glasses and she gave me great tips in regards to stop my bad habits (I work from home and stare at my computers 8 hours a day) and it helped lessen my eye strains. Bob, Anne and Matia helped me through out the entire process and made sure that people are following the CDC guidelines before they entered the premises (this made me feel safer). Thank you University Optometry for giving me a great experience! read more

They have a good selection of very nice (but slightly pricey) frames and the ladies who help you select frames are very knowledgable, but I really wish they had told me there is a 6 month deadline on getting glasses purchased with VSP insurance remade. I've purchased glasses from them in the past and been very happy, but they stopped being open later one night or open on a weekend day so I tried 6 other places before finally coming in during their hours of M-F 8:30-5:30 during the holiday break. I found out the last time I went in that they want you to make an appointment even to pick out frames, but they were smooth enough about accommodating me when I dropped in that I didn't realize they "do you have an appointment?" when I came in the door wasn't just about eye exams until I was explicitly told I'd have to come back when I had an appointment the last time I dropped in. I was in an accident 2 years ago where I broke several bones in my right cheek & sustained nerve damage, so I was being fairly picky about my glasses. Unfortunately, it wasn't until I'd worn the glasses I'd ordered for more than a minute that I realized that the frames sit on a very problematic spot on the side of my nose that having even the slight weight of glasses on makes my right eye tear after a minute and the few times I wore the glasses more than an hour the vision in my right eye was worse for at least a day. After wearing the glasses for a few minutes, I immediately went back & Donna adjusted them & I said I'd try to get used to it (not realizing how bad it was). I came back a few weeks later and she tried again to adjust them many times, but nothing was working. I was convinced to try again to get used to it & come back in if I couldn't. I came back a month later to pick new frames since these obviously weren't working, but since I came in not long before closing each time (I usually work until 6pm M-F so I was taking personal time off each time I came in when work was light enough) she suggested I come back again when I could come in earlier to try the frames on for longer since they only remake them once for free. None of those times did she mention a 6 month deadline. I lost feeling I used to have in my face the one time I tried to wear the glasses for half a day so I took time to get used to it and then things got crazy at work until the month long vacation I'd planned long ago. Since I had other functional glasses & didn't know about the deadline I put off dealing with replacing the glasses. When I finally came back in (admittedly more than 8 months after buying) I was told VSP calls it a private transaction after 6 months so it would be at their expense and they could no longer help me. I complained that I hadn't been told about the deadline any of the times I came in so I was asked to talk to Donna, who I'd talked to all the previous times I'd come in & she repeated that they try to help their clients but it would be at their cost so they couldn't help me, although they could offer 30% off of new frames & ask if the lens place they work with would offer a discount. I was upset enough about being stuck with glasses I paid almost $400 for (after what VSP paid) that I can't wear (I tried again today & it still makes my eye tear) that I'd rather spend my money elsewhere. They are nice people with very good glasses, but I'm upset enough about the fact that they didn't tell me about the 6 month deadline to remake glasses until it was too late that I don't think I'll ever buy glasses here again. read more

No return policy for glasses. Mistakes were made in contact prescription and applying insurance properly to cover cost of buying contacts. Staff are friendly and correct the mistakes. read more

I've been going to see Dr. Ratinoff for a few years. Initially, I thought this practice was great but I've been really disappointed lately because it seems like they try to overcharge patients for their services. Two instances overcharging I experienced in the past year: 1) The first few times I went in, I paid $600+ for eye glasses and contact lenses after the insurance payment. I didn't think much of it at first but when I started to ask about how much they charged for their services and how much was covered by insurance, I could never get a clear answer. Finally, I called up VSP (who called Dr. Ratinoff) -- VSP came back to the call and explained to me exactly what the office charges for services and said that they were way too expensive. VSP has suggested that I call around to other offices to see if I can get better prices (which I'm going to do now). 2) I had gotten a retinal scan at an ophthalmologist that Dr. Ratinoff had referred me to and when I declined the retinal test during a recent eye exam (because I had already had one recently), Dr. Ratinoff said, "he shouldn't be doing that test -- it's something we're supposed to do here." It struck me as really odd that he'd say that during my eye exam and I felt like he wanted to do this test so he could charge me more (or cram more patients in by avoiding time it takes for dilation?). Needless to say, I'm really disappointed and will be looking for a new eye doctor for my eyecare needs... read more

I can see clearly now the rain is...damn is it coming down. But my fellow motorists! No need to fear any longer for I can now see YOU on the road!! hahah. The customer service ladies were great. Very helpful, patient and even waited a 1/2 hour after closing so I could pick up my pair of glasses. (Plus they were awefully cute!) And now I get to see how many cute Yelp friends I ha-...ohh..uh..man. HAHAH! My fellow Yelpertons know I love 'em! DONE! read more

Horrible experience! They only care about your money. After you paid them, they will continuously waste your time without mercy! The doctor is totally quack! He test your eyes and gave a totally wrong result. He show you no respect after that, not even any apology. If you want to waste thousands of dollars, half a year of time, tens of appointments (just waste your time and make no process each time), please come here! This is the perfect place for you! read more

A friend referred me to University Optometry as I had a bad experience at another office who lacked customer service when picking out frames. I had my prescription in hand so I called University Optometry. They only allow appointments due to covid. When I arrived I called the number on the door and they welcomed me in. I was assisted by Bob Valdez for my styling. I told him I was doubled covered but didn't want to spend a arm and a leg on frames. I also told him my face is wide so it's hard to find eyeglasses that compliment me. He was able to show me different options In different price points and was updating me on my total out of pocket cost estimate as we went. I selected two pairs of glasses. One for computer work and a pair of prescription sunglasses. Once he wrote up my paperwork I thought we were done but he measured my face with the glasses and also marked where on the lenses my pupil is centered. I wish I would of sought this place out to begin with! It was well worth the 30 minute commute! read more

This is my favorite optometrist, friendly staff well stock supply of designer frames all around great experience They go out of their way to accommodate any special requests. fantastic read more

I was looking for a new eye doctor in the Palo Alto area (as I work in this area) and saw this place on the VSP website. I could not be more satisfied with this office. The office staff is very nice and welcoming and being able to fill out the paperwork on line ahead of time was a time saver. The doctor and his staff were very friendly and honest. The experience was pleasant and I appreciated Dr. Ratinoff and his sense of humor. It made the eye exam process easy. The selection of glasses was good and I got a great pair and I cannot wait for them to come in and I can wear them. Great office and I highly recommend them! read more

I love these guys! I've been seeing Dr. Ratinoff for about 10 years and will continue to see him even though I am moving to San Jose. He is very thorough and explains everything as he does it. I read here that the glasses selection is not vast, but I focus on quality not quantity. Factoring this, the selection a University Optometry is great. I receive compliments on my glasses all the time. Donna and the staff are friendly and professional. Dr. Ratinoff is gentle and knowledgeable. I know my eyes are in good hands at University Optometry. read more

University Optometry is handsdown the best !!! I have had to use glasses and contacts for over 40 years. I have had many visits with other clinics and offices. By leaps and bounds Dr. Ratinoff, Donna, Andrea and their new addition Stacy has proven to be, by far, the best eye experience I could ever ask for. Dr Ratinoff is, without question, an expert in his field. Donna, Andrea and Stacy in support gives me the most satisfying experience. The glasses and sunglasses are of great quality and it is reflected in the prices. I may be spending a little more than I would like, but I am consistently happy with every aspect of service that they provide. I hate to sound like a advertisement, but I trust everyone here so much my entire family are patients of Dr Ratinoff. I would recommend University Optometry to everyone read more

I have gone to Dr Ratinoff for a couple of years now and appreciate the professional attitude and friendliness of all the staff there and feel that Dr. Ratinoff explains everything to me so I know why he suggests any changes to my prescription for glasses. It's a small office, so there might not be the huge selection of frames of some of the larger locations but the service is much more personal, in my opinion. Would definitely recommend the office and Dr. Ratinoff to anyone who is looking for an optometrist that will give you personal care. read more

Wow, I can see again! I noticed my eyesight fading a few years ago and put off getting glasses until recently. The optometrist and his staff are fantastic here. My perscription came out perfectly and I am very happy with the glasses that I chose. I also got a pair of Nike sunglasses that I love. One warning though; this is an expensive place. My total came to $650.00 for both pairs of glasses after saying yes to every add on they offered. I'm sure that I could have found them for cheaper, but I'm not sure if I would have gotten the same level of service from Lenscrafters or something. If excellent customer service and competent professionals is more important to you than price, this is the place to come for your glasses. read more

Dr Ratinoff and Dr. Mann are superb doctors. I have been seeing them both since 2005. I don't trust my eyes with anyone else. Dr. Ratinoff is a doctor who truly cares about your health (of your eyes of course). Dr Mann is so accomidating and just a pleasure to be around. Thanks for all of great care. read more

Everyone is very personable and helpful! Thorough examinations and great glasses selection. read more

Bad experience. They kicked me out because I blew my nose in the office... Also, agreed with comments below about overcharging for glasses and unnecessary tests. I won't go there again. read more

After years of going to the "family" optometrists, I finally branched out and discovered this place. This was the first time I've ever needed glasses and these people were extremely helpful and compassionate! I will continue going there for as long as I need to see!! read more

This place has always been ok, not great customer service or anything but it was close to home and work so I didnt mind it. The exams were always just ok, however, whenever I ask the doctor questions about my contacts, eyes, etc...you know, just as any patient who cares about their eyes would ask random questions...the doctor always made me feel uncomfortable or never really answer my questions....Then due to a VERY bad experience of mine at this place -- I will never come back! I have been going to this place for 4 years, so it's natural that my fiance decided to check it out too. He call to make and appoitment only the day of, decided to change his mind due to VERY LIMITED selections of glasses. I wear contacts so I wasn't even aware of the selections. We got there for the appointment and realized this. We told the receptionist Donna, who is very old btw, that we are extremely sorry but its pointless to have an exam when there are no glasses to choose from. We apologize again for the trouble. We understand it was last minute and maybe should have done some research and felt very bad....THEN, the old hag told us than we need to leave if we are not going to have the appoint...I was shocked at her response. I told her that we are sorry but her attitude is unacceptable! She then said that they could have given that appointment to someone else. WOW...I cannot believe that I have been giving my money to this business for four years and this is how I am being treated. If she is upset, understandable, if she didnt like that we changed our minds, understandable, but her attitude and professionalism is outright RUDE. I decided I need to talk to the owner, Dr. Ratinoff. He came out and I explained the situation to him and guess his response? Well if Donna didnt like your attitude then you should leave. Now, I am pissed. I told him, wow, this is how you run your business and treat a loyal customer of 4 years. We excahnges some words and he PUSHED me. Can you believe that? Im 5 feet tall and weigh 100lbs! I almost felt like I was getting my eyes checked in a ghetto alley way store with some nolicense optometrist! Unbelieveable....I am still in utter shock. read more

Without a single doubt in my mind, the best optometrist and staff I've ever experienced. They remember your name, give you real genuine help, and will work diligently to make sure you get what you want. I would give them more than 5 stars if I could read more

I've been fortunate enough to be able to call this office my home for all things related to my eyes for 20+ years. They go the extra mile with eye health care, not just "can you see the big E" and sell you a pair of glasses. I have recommended them to just about everyone. Dr. Ratinoff, Donna, and the staff are caring experts who make you feel right at home. Even though I have retired from my career in Palo Alto and live in Fremont, I gladly make the trip across the bay to continue having my eyes seen to by these great people. read more

I have gone to Dr. Ratinoff and Dr. Mann since 2002. I have had nothing but great service. The staff is incredible and the office has the latest / greatest technology. They carry frames in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and prices. My favorite part always comes when it is time to pick out frames. Andrea has fabulous taste and is great at picking out frames that fit with not only your face but your personality. Donna, the office manager, is a sweetheart. What can I say, I love University Optometry! read more

I regret going to this place, I didn't research much and honestly I didn't think I'd need glasses after my eye exam. They have a VERY limited selection of glasses and I ended up getting a pair that I'm not happy about for $190 that I saw somewhere else at $99. You'll probably ask why I got some glasses that did not convince me. Well, they're super pushy, they sat me down to look at glasses before I even started my eye exam, although I had never worn glasses before. I had my eye exam. It was a shock to find out I needed glasses and I went again to look at their selection after that. They were with me the whole time, pushing me to try on glasses although my pupils were dilated and I couldn't see properly if I liked the fit. They were totally insensitive to how I felt about just learning I needed to wear glasses although I mentioned a couple of times I was unsure about all of the models because I was not used to glasses or the idea of them: they just kept pushing until I chose something and walked out. Honestly, after finding out I need glasses (and feeling that my face will not look familiar anymore and I'll have to get used to such a change, and bit shaken that I had unknowingly been driving while my sight was bad and putting myself and my family in danger) I didn't feel like standing up to these pushy women. I didn't think I needed a confrontation right there. I'm never going back, I honestly feel taken advantage of. read more