Favorite Optometrist?

[audioboy.livejournal.com]

After a bad experience with $BigNameEyewareStore, I'm looking for someplace a little more friendly and personable. Any recommendations in the Davis Square area or Somerville in general? (I'll probably be doing bifocals and computer glasses, if that helps.)

Comments

[mattdm.livejournal.com]

I've been very happy with the Harvard Square Eye Care between Porter and Davis. (As the name implies, they also have a Harvard Square location.) Nice, friendly, never kept me waiting.

I previously went to the Harvard Vanguard location right by the T, and am less enthusiastic. Doctors and exams were fine, but the staff seemed a little bit... used to working in a big institution, I guess. And, when the company that makes the contact lenses I've been wearing for years discontinued that line, the switched me to something more expensive and less comfortable and we went through several rounds of that. It wasn't awful and I switched because my insurance changed, but when I mentioned this to the doctor at the new place, he knew right away that the 2-week ones had been replaced with almost identical 1-month-wear lenses — so, same feel, _less_ expensive overall. I don't know if the Harvard Vanguard doctors didn't know this, were attached to the two week timeframe for some reason, or maybe even were actively trying to push the more expensive option, but whichever way.

So there's my little story. Didn't actually mean to make a big complainy rant, but, hey, livejournal. My actual point is that the Harvard Square Eye Care place is nice.

[somerfriend.livejournal.com]

Seconded. This place was efficient, professional, and did not push purchases beyond the prescription I got. (I order glasses online).

[ron_newman]

I tagged this "eye care", and you may want to look at recent posts with that tag. I like Dr. Margot Seligman at Parrelli Optical in Porter Square.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

Parrelli Optical in Porter.

[gosling.livejournal.com]

Parrelli Optical was the place in Porter Square that I liked as well.

[teko.livejournal.com]

I had a great exam at Porter Square Eye Associates -- Dr. Crystal Klaahsen is great -- but their office is very small and selection of frames not that terrific.

Personally, I just order my glasses from Zenni Optical online and have had no trouble.

[audioboy.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. It sounds like folks really like Parrelli and Harvard Square Eye Care. I'll check them out.

[gilana]

It's in Medford, not Somerville, but I swear by Medford Eyeglass Shop. It's a small family-run business, but they had a great selection of frames, and the lowest prices I've found anywhere, especially for things like high-index lenses. But be aware that he doesn't take credit cards, so it's cash or check only.

[she-of-emeralds.livejournal.com]

Ditto what others have said about Parelli Optical. My doctor is Dr. Seligman but I think they are all good.

[donotforsakeme.livejournal.com]

I had a terrible experience at Harvard Square Eye Care. I found the receptionists to be overly cold, the eye exam doctor to be overly friendly. They broke the first pair of vintage frames I brought in (which is a risk, I know) but then were rude about it and expected that I had a replacement already lined up. Then they were super annoyed they had to put lenses into the new frames I finally brought in. Overall the customer service was terrible. It was also the first time I ever had my eyes dilated (Lenscrafters in Medford- where I had previously gone and have gone to since always take a picture instead of doing dilation) and they let me walk out of there without sunglasses and I was totally blind walking a mile home. I have very pale eyes and I was super scared I would get hit in a crosswalk because I literally could not see anything in the sun.