University Optometry

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

Almost all of their good reviews are 2+ years old, and the majority are 5 years old, from 2010. My review is current and this is a review of this office as they are now in 2015.
The only positive is that the office staff is very good.
First they are beyond expensive. They charge $ 225 for an eyeglass exam and then about the same if you want to update your contact prescription. That is over $ 400 to get a prescription for eyeglasses and contacts.
Their prices on their frames are more expensive than any other place around. I priced out the frames I wanted at 5 different places and they were the exact same list price. University Optical had them marked up by $ 100. So I decided to buy my frames elsewhere.

Dr Ratinoff is very business like and did not say 1 word to me during the entire exam except look to the left, etc. He never gave me any explanations as to what he was doing or what the results were for the various tests. The only thing he said was that my distance vision has decreased. He was very tied up with inputting all the test results into his new computer system. The system was only days new. I felt as if he was practicing on his new computer system and I was just a «fake» patient he was testing it out on.
I left with my prescription and took it to the place where I was purchasing my frames. They asked me if I wanted progressive lenses or single vision. I did not have a clue. I have been wearing contacts for years and have not used eyeglasses. Apparently Dr Ratinoff should have explained the different lens options for my prescription, but since I was not buying the frames with them, he decided not to.
I then went to my old optometrist Lisa Berkowitz DO in Town and Country to see the price to update my contact lenses. Their contact exam is $ 140. And Lisa will not only give you your new contact prescription but will also give you your eyeglass prescription too in case you also want to get a pair of eyeglasses.
$ 140 for a contact lens and eyeglasses prescription vs over $ 400 for the exact same service at University Optometey. The only difference is that Lisa Berkowitz is an excellent optometrist, totally thorough and very warm and friendly. She talks to you and also explains everything she does during the exam.
While I was at Dr Berkowitz’s office the manger at Site for Sore Eyes (they are in one office space) was trying to help me understand what just happened at University Optometry. While we were talking I had my old, out of date pair of eyeglasses with me. He asked me for my glasses, left for a minute and then told me to try them on. They were crystal clear. He cleaned them with alcohol because apparently lenses can build up a film. I had no idea.
I did not wear my contacts to Dr Ratinoff, but instead had those eyeglasses with me. He saw them and put them in a special place out of the way. The guy never even cleaned my glasses. Seriously, he never thought to take 5 seconds and clean my glasses. For a $ 225 eye exam a simple cleaning of your eyeglasses should be standard service.
They are extremely expensive, the eye exam is fair, especially since he doesn’t explain anything to you and if you don’t plan on buying your frames with them, expect sub par treatment.
It was one of the worst service experiences I have ever had. I would expect for $ 400 plus for an eye exam, an eyeglass prescription and a contact lens prescription update you should be treated so much better.
Even if they were ¼ of the price, one should be treated well, with respect and be given a thorough examination with explanations, lens options, and get your eyeglasses cleaned.
I was treat so poorly, I highly recommend Lisa Berkowitz D. O in Palo Alto, and do NOT recommend Dr Ratinoff at University Optometry.

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

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.

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.

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.

Not a great selection of frames but they do an excellent job.

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.

We have been going to this place for a couple years for vision care. We had an appointment early in the morning but late for a little more than 10 minutes. Just as we arrived at the place, they called us and told us that they want to cancel the appointment since we are late. Even as they saw us coming to the office they still want to cancel the appointment and ask us to go back.
As I told them that we do not want to leave since we drove a long way to the appointment, they told us that we can wait and told us that they do not know how long it is going to take for the doctor to see us. After we insisted, they told us that it takes about 20 minutes. I asked them how much time is scheduled for our appointment and they told us that it is 35 minutes.
It turns out that the next patient came in ahead of their schedule. Instead of checking with us they wanted to cancel our appointment just for being late for a little over 10 minutes even though they can certainly save the time for the next patient for us. The real problem is that the manager’s attitude is unbearably rude.
It seems like that they like some patients but not the others. If they do not like you they could become really rude. I decided to post a review after I saw another complain this morning, which describes an incident with another patient. In that case a lady complained that the doctor even pushed her out. If they like you it might be fine but if there any disagreement they can treat you in a really rude way.

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 ½ 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 Unilocal friends I ha-…ohh.uh.man.
HAHAH!
My fellow Unilocalertons know I love ‘em!
DONE!

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!

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 fiancé 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.

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!