Pearle Vision

I recently came in for an eye exam and, unfortunately, my experience did not feel as warm or comfortable as I had hoped. As someone who has worn glasses since I was six years old, I was genuinely excited for this appointment, so this was disappointing. Throughout the visit, I felt that the interaction was rushed and that there was little room for me to fully share my history or finish speaking without being interrupted. I also would have appreciated a more empathetic response when I explained that I haven't always been able to attend yearly exams due to periods of unemployment and financial limitations. Being told that I should come in regardless of my situation made me feel uncomfortable rather than understood. As a deaf patient, I came in specifically to update my prescription so I can move forward with closed-captioning glasses. When I mentioned this, I did not feel the level of patience or understanding I was hoping for, which added to my discomfort. The eye test itself also did not feel comfortable. My husband and I often felt unsure about what we were seeing and were encouraged to quickly give an answer rather than being given the time to determine whether option 1, 2, 3, or 4 was actually clearer. That made the process feel stressful and uncertain instead of calm and precise. I also had concerns during the contact lens portion of the exam. I was instructed to wait about 30 minutes for my vision to clear, but the contacts never fully sharpened during that time. In my past experiences, it has never taken that long, which made me question whether the prescription was recorded correctly. I recently moved from St. Louis and truly miss my previous eye doctor. I came in hopeful to build a similar relationship and have a positive, relaxing experience, but this visit did not feel comfortable or personable. To be fair, the doctor is clearly knowledgeable and professional, and I did leave with an updated prescription that allows me to see better, which I do appreciate. My feedback is simply that a warmer, more patient, and conversational approach would make a significant difference. Allowing patients the time to speak, process the exam at their own pace, and feel heard would greatly improve the overall experience. I share this with the hope that it is received in a constructive and kind way.

I updated the rating of my review after management called me for two main reasons: the technicians and the doctor were knowledgeable, and the staff--including the owner--were friendly overall. Most importantly, they were open to feedback, which gives me confidence that the experience can improve for future patients and customers. My original review: The clinical eye exam itself was good, but the overall experience was undermined by poor transparency and overly aggressive retail practices. The exam was performed before I was informed that there would be an $80 copay. This information should be clearly and explicitly disclosed before any medical service is provided so patients can make an informed decision. After the exam, my prescription/PHI was not given to me directly. Instead, it was sent to the retail staff without my consent, and I was immediately pushed toward frames and "premium" lenses. I was not initially offered my prescription with a clear statement that I was free to take it elsewhere, which should be standard practice. Finally, there was visible eyewear advertising in the waiting area and even during the telehealth visit, which felt inappropriate in a medical setting. Recommendations to management, which I hope are implemented going forward: Clearly separate the medical visit from retail sales. Clearly disclose all copays and optional services before any exam. Provide patients with their prescription directly and allow them to decide if and where they want to purchase glasses without pressure. If the videos are intended to be educational, topics such as myopia, astigmatism, and how to understand your prescription would be more appropriate.

Had the pleasure of working with Victor over the period of a few months. My child went through several sets of glasses (unfortunately!) and the team at Pearl Vision was great to work with. They were accommodating and knowledgeable and helped us make the right decision. Most recently when we were faced with a third pair of broken glasses Victor was very helpful in getting us into a new pair that same day. I wasn't expecting such a fast turnaround but they came through! Special thanks to Victor for making it happen.

I've been going to this location for 5ish years. I've never had a problem until recently. I made an appointment over the phone for AN IN PERSON appointment for today 02/12/26 . Never received a call or email for confirmation , so I call and verify that my appointment is still set for today and the lady that answered the phone was rude and wouldn't let me speak , told me that my phone number was out of service and they tried to call me but my phone number has not changed and I have not a single missed call from this place . The lady then proceeded to tell me that my appointment was set for remote . I didn't schedule a remote eye exam as that doesn't make any sense to me . I've been wearing glasses that no longer work for me for about 3 years now and needed an IN PERSON appointment . I requested today off from my job and don't even have an appointment like I thought I did , very unprofessional of you ask me and definitely a mess up on the receptionist end and I'm very upset about that , Pearle Vision do better ! I've NEVER had an issue before this .

I've be using the Hamden Pearle Vision for my child for several years. I love the selection of kids glasses and the fast turn around time. The owner and staff are incredibly nice. I will definitely keep using this location for my daughter!

Review of Pearle Vision - Hamden, CT Date of appointment: October 23, 2025 Original appointment time: 2:30 PM (rescheduled to 11:00 AM at the office's request) I scheduled my eye exam several weeks in advance due to serious vision problems -- including vision loss, difficulty reading, trouble recognizing faces, blurriness, and eye pain. The day before my appointment, I received a call from Pearle Vision stating that the doctor would be leaving early and asking if I could come in earlier. When I called back, I was initially told my appointment would need to be pushed back several weeks, even though I had already scheduled in advance. After explaining that I urgently needed to be seen, they agreed to move me to an 11:00 AM slot. When I arrived, I filled out the one page form and placed the clipboard and pen on the counter. At that point, I observed the receptionist and elderly tall slender built male doctor( i'm describing what he looks like because I never received his name) speaking and pointing in my direction while the receptionist repeatedly said aloud, "She's going to be mad." I was confused but said nothing. When my name was called, I was told that both my 18-year-old daughter and I needed to put on masks -- even though I noticed that three other patients, all of whom were not wearing masks, were not asked to do so. The receptionist then said he would be performing my exam for the doctor. After a brief conversation about my symptoms -- including seeing spots and light orbits before bed -- he stopped the exam and told me the doctor "did not feel comfortable doing the exam." He then gave me a card with contact information for other specialists and sent me away without care. I tried to contact one of the listed specialists, but they informed me that they don't accept walk-ins and that Pearle Vision would need to send a formal referral before they could schedule me. I returned to the office to request the referral, but the receptionist was dismissive and unhelpful. Eventually, the store manager tried to intervene and promised to send a referral immediately, so I went to the specialist's office -- only to be told again that they had no record of me and no referral had been sent. After more calls and driving between locations, I was left without an exam, a referral, or any resolution. The entire experience was frustrating, unprofessional, and a complete waste of time and gas. I was made to feel unwelcome and unfairly treated. While I will not label the experience as racist, the behavior and inconsistency -- especially compared to how other patients were treated -- certainly raised concerns. Fortunately, when I called Milford Pearle Vision, they were kind, understanding, and assured me that I would be treated respectfully and receive care at their location. I'm proud that I kept my composure throughout the situation and did not allow frustration to change how I carried myself. I simply wanted an eye exam to help me see clearly again. This experience at the Hamden location, however, was deeply disappointing and could have been handled far more professionally.

Stopped in for a new pair of glasses and had the pleasure of working with Victor and Denise to find a set that I liked. They were both very patient and took what I wanted under consideration when suggesting different pairs. I can definitely recommend this Pearle Vision, especially if you can get these two to help you out.

I lost my glasses, no backup pair, so needed glasses and lenses as quickly as possible. Can hardly see without them. Denise took care of me, got me taken care of and out the door fast, same day, actually around 1 hour. That includes the phone calls, confirming availability, the drive to Hamden and fitting. Very appreciative! Thank you.