27th Street Optical

This was the only place I could find to accept my insurance so I went, and it was an experience. The glasses they had for customers to pick from were dusty and smelly, looked like they haven't been cleaned in ages. So there was no way I was trying them on my face. I ended up picking anything just to get out of there. Initially, I was going to just get my prescription from them so I could shop online for some glasses that I would like.. well, they gave me the prescription with missing information, so now I have to go pay out of pocket to be seen by somewhere more professional. I should've just did that from jump. Sometimes it's not best to take the cheaper option. Invest in yourself for yourself. Having clear vision is important.

It is very hard for me to write this review as I have been going to this clinic since I was a child. However, I have watched it go down especially in customer service. The doctor is a very sweet, kind hearted man and he truly does try his best And I am fortunate to watch him grow old. However, I never had any issues with my contacts or glasses. He's really supportive and he will work with you even if you don't have insurance he has given me a great price on glasses which I have paid out-of-pocket however I came in and purchased three pairs of contacts which they aren't cheap and I asked to use the restroom. The staff flat out told me the restroom is not working so I was denied using the restroom even being paying customer. And then there is no human dignity at all they are still living in the Covid time where they treat you like you are a parasite. Staff demanded that I use hand sanitizer before the staff will even help me, so it's sad. I wish Miss Minnie was still around however she's passed away. She was the best they don't even acknowledge you or even speak to you.

I've been going to 27th Street Optical since January 2005. I still remember the first set of glasses I got because everybody in school talked about me because the lenses were tinted yellow. Anywho, Ms. Minnie was always the nicest person who worked there and I was super sad when she retired. I don't know who the other lady is but she was there when I first started going and she's always been mean and rude. Her customer service is terrible. One year I went in to get some glasses and because I was using state insurance (the insurance through my employer hadn't started yet) I could only look at certain glasses. I asked to look at another pair of glasses outside of my insurance and she had a whole fit. Running over to me at the counter talking about you can't get those... those aren't available with your insurance. Talking to the other staff members loudly about me looking at another pair of glasses! I knew exactly what was available and what I could get. And if I wanted the other glasses I had the money to pay for them. I just called today to try and book an eye exam and of course she answered the phone, instantly annoyed. I stated that I needed to book an appointment and I was told I need to call back at the end of the month for that. Idk what's going on but I think at this point I'm gonna over my fear and just get lasik eye surgery because there is absolutely no reason the customer service should be this horrible!

The staff is nice when they want to be. I feel like if they recognize you, you get a more personable experience oppose to it being your first time. They're always rushing though, and the doctor is never in. I've been going to them since 2012 and for the first few years my contacts worked great but these last 2-3 years my contacts have caused uncomfortable problems. If I would accidentally fall asleep with them in, I'd wake up to heavy crust on my eyes, my eyes would be bloodshot red and would be watering uncontrollably and super sore like somebody pushed my eyeballs in with they're thumbs. It's like I had pink eye or something but it happened every time. Just recently I went to them for an emergency pair because I ran out of my contacts from 1800-CONTACT & since I use the same contact brand I thought I'd be fine temporarily. Well I was wrong I only had the contacts on for 3 hours before my eyes became extremely sore, it legit felt like I had a eyelash in my eye so I used some of my cushioning gel eye drop for dry eyes but it only gave me temporary relief. Eventually I started rubbing them crazy because it was so irritating and at that point I was far away from my house so I couldn't take them out to put my glasses back on. It was terrible my eyes hurt so bad I wanted to cry. Eventually my left eye started to close on its on and I couldn't wait to get home. I throw them away asap but the next morning my eyes were bad. I'll probably never go back and I really want them to stop selling contacts because it keeps happening every-time I get a pair from them even years later. The only good thing about it is the redness subsides shortly after so I know it's not pink eye but it still hurts. In the first picture is after wearing them for a few hours. I widened my eyes so you could see how red they were. And the 2nd photo was the next morning. I wish I could report this to somebody because they have to be selling fake contacts, expired contacts or something.

The customer service is questionable. It wasn't always like that. The selection of glasses they have you choose from if you have state insurance are terrible and super outdated. As well they're definitely selling people expired contact lenses. I have always got mines from 1 800 contacts or from American Eyeglass never had a problem and I been wearing them since I was 13. Remind I'm 38 now. The first time I bought a pair of contacts from this office. After a few wears. My eyes started turning red. I started having the nasty mucus eyes. We eventually resulted in an infection. This is not ok!!! He has been good and reasonable over the years. But it's time for him to retire. Before a lawsuit occurs.

The eye doctor is a nice guy, but he never washes his hands or wear gloves in between patients. And recently I found out, they maybe purchasing illegal "off brand contacts" under the table. Not verified of course, but I went to three different eye glass companies and they all have complaints from the same place. The complaints are pretty much just like mines. Unprofessional environment, the staff acts really weird when it comes to giving you you're own prescription for contacts or glass. They alway switch manufacturing companies. I noticed a few months ago he switched to a new "manufacturer" and my contacts went up in price, which I don't care about but I had too many problems. I'm not diabetic or prone to eye infections but this new manufacturer's lenses are junk. In the last 3-4 months I've had to buy several pairs of contacts from him, I would have a discharge from my eye, eyes were always irritated and the worse part was the contact would make my vision blurred after I wore them for longer than an hour. And I'm a very clean person, always wash my hands and disinfect my contact cases, new solution every time. He never tells you the brand of the lenses, alway takes them out of the box and tosses the box and hands you you're pair. Not too long ago he mixed up my name, MY WHOLE NAME with another woman AND her prescription. I put the contacts in and everything went grey. He gave me the wrong prescription and thought nothing of it, granted people make mistakes but the way he handles things are uncalled me. He told me I must be doing something wrong, and no one else has made the same complaint. Meanwhile I'm out a different eye company and based on my description of the issue I was having they GUESSED exactly where I got my contacts from. The picture I've attached was AFTER I wiped my eyes the SECOND time. I took a short nap after I put the lenses in, and I woke up to a wet feeling and my eyes were leaking. I'm disgusted with this company

These reviews are crazy, I mean I cannot take away from their experience but.... ive been going here since a teen! They made it possible for me to stop wearing them ugly state paid for glasses in high-school! The doctor has had my back even when I was nervous about my driving vision exam. I ordered more expensive contacts from 1-800 contacts just to compare and they worked just the same. I am not the most responsible and the only eye infection I had came from me scratching my eye... I do not wear fake lashes but when I did, I had no problems. The staff is always nice to me. I am not being paid to say this, I'm just being honest. I do not have the best vision and have visited several different eye doctors just to compare. They make it affordable for low income families

I've been seeing Dr. Hulen for over 20 years, even when i moved, I could still order replacement contacts, buy from or pay him to put lenses in my frames (purchased from other retailers) as long as i didn't require an adjustment to my prescription...