Arboretum Vision Care Optometrists and Optical

I had my first eye exam here on Saturday. My appointment took longer than expected but it seemed to be a particularly busy day for them. When I finally was able to see the doctor I never felt rushed or unattended to. Dr. Kennedy was very thorough with my examination and extremely kind. In fact, every person I spoke to while I was in the office was very welcoming and helpful.

Never going back again. The doctor was wonderful and really nice but the staff was horrible. They changed the nose pads on my existing glasses and put old used cheap ones back. Please check your glasses before you leave. And make sure they are not playing around with them, copying the design or changing things while you give them your glasses.

Great experience. I guess I am used to the basic mall eye doctor thing so was pleasantry surprised by how thorough my exam was. I truly felt like they spent a good amount of time actually evaluating my vision needs. I was really surprised at how sophisticated the technology they used was. Much more impressive than what I have seen at other places I have been. John was great with helping me select frames. He was really cool. Would highly recommend you go there for you vision needs.

I’m a big fan. The eye exam process goes smoothly and I got prescriptions I’m very happy with (both progressive lenses and single-​vision computer glasses). They were happy to fit my old frames and they made sure to use my vision plan benefits effectively. One pair of frames broke — it was pretty old and the material gets inflexible, I don’t think I can complain — and they gave me a discount on some new frames that were reasonably priced to begin with, and no charge for redoing the lenses. Just an easy and pleasant place to deal with.

As several others have noted, Dr. Kennedy is terrific — smart, caring, gentle (she has the nicest voice, when she speaks, and when she asks «Which is better, A or B?»). It is a pleasure to visit this great place — pleasant and competent techs, and a superb Dr. Kennedy.

I’m going to preface this with saying that I HATE going to the eye doctor. Hate, hate, hate it! From having to take time out of my day, to getting my eyes dilated (which creeps me out to no end) to that horrid machine that blows air in your eyes, hate it! The last time I needed glasses, about a year ago, I went here. I honestly don’t remember much of it besides that parking was easy and that everyone was nice.
I had been noticing that my vision was starting to not be so great again. I was putting off setting up an appointment though, because I’d honestly rather have 5 fillings at the dentist’s office than deal with drops in my eyes and air blown in my face. I got a reminder phone call from this office (Oh, so that’s where I went last time, huh, I think I remember that place not being so bad… thoughts I had, any case you weren’t following) so I decided to go ahead and go.
They got me in within a few days, which was awesome. Right when I got there they told me I could get this laser do-​hickey thing that would make it so that I didn’t have to get dilated. Seriously?! Awesome! I secretly hoped as they took me to the back for the exam that they had done away with the air-​puffer machine as well. No. On the plus side, the tech (who was awesome, but I don’t remember her name, unfortunately) guided me through the ordeal and got it right on each eye with the first go. I’m going to take a minute to explain my aversion to this thing that I feel is a catastrophe to medicine… I am probably one of the most jumpy people that I know, so waiting for something to be shot into my eye, even if it is only air, makes my anxiety skyrocket. Also, since my eyelids go all fluttery, I’ve had the air get stuck in my freakishly long eyelashes, making me have to go through the process multiple times. Until I came here last year, it was an average of three tries per eye. This tech nailed it!
The alternative that they used instead of the dilation was awesome. Painless, quick, way better. When the tech was done I got handed off to the doctor with minimal wait time. She was great. Super nice and informative. I kept asking her questions about my last visit, and kept saying that I couldn’t remember who I saw last. Eventually she chuckled and told me it was her and that she remembered me. I felt kind of bad, but REALLY impressed that she remembered me! She was able to answer all of my questions, and had a great passion for what she did.
After the appointment, I got to pick out frames. Yes! The guy there was also really nice. He helped me try to find the exact type of frames I was looking for.
The best part was that my glasses, with new frames, were ready in a week and fit great! Way easier than I thought it would be! Thanks guys!

I recently had an appointment with Dr. Kennedy that couldn’t have been more thorough. In fact, I have never had such a thorough eye exam in my life. Which is ridiculous, considering that I have had poor vision for most of my life.
Dr. Kennedy helped me address my level of eye allergy with the proper medication. I no longer want to rub my eyes right out of my head, and can comfortably wear contacts again.
Dr. Kennedy also prescribed contacts for me that are specifically designed for people who have eye allergies. They are wonderful, and I wish my last optometrist had told me about them. She also corrected my eye prescription, as the last optometrist I had seen,)Dr.Provost next to Costco) had it very wrong.
I have also seen Dr. Serafine for my contact fitting, and he was very thorough as well.
I will be taking my children here to have their vision check-​ups in the future, as I feel that their bedside manner and professionalism is top-​notch.

I always hate going to and/​or finding a new doctor of any sort. Thus bringing me directly to Unilocal to not only find one in my area, but one that was also open on Saturdays as my work schedule does not allow me time for the weekdays. AVC had both!
When I arrived, I forgot my paper work and they had re-​usable white-​board style papers for me to fill out, they took great care to answer all of my questions and called me in exactly at the time I was scheduled. Jennifer saw me with a smile and answered all of my questions thoroughly.
After Dr. Kennedy saw me (who was also great, you can totally tell she loves what she does) I was taken back for a Contact Lens evaluation that was a great freshers from all of the years I have been wearing them. Afterwards, my log-​in for my files and digital updates was created and sent to my e-​mail.
I really appreciate their attention to detail, compassion, patience and overall dedication to what it is they do. Also, the fact the office is diverse is EXTREMELY important to me, especially being a POC in Austin and AVC did not disappoint. I will be back!

I was thinking about going in for an eye exam a few weeks ago and put it off. Then my plastic frames broke clean in half while I was on vacation. Definitely time to go!
I called (made my husband call while I was still asleep) and, thanks to a cancellation, they were able to get me in an hour later. I expected to get a new script and then spend the rest of the day at LensCrafters paying for some overpriced frames and crappy lenses because nobody else does same day glasses and my insurance hates LensCrafters.
Instead, while the very nice Dr Serafine talked to me about my eyes and put me a little more at ease with some of the terminology I’d heard concerning my eyes, one of their staff members was popping my lenses into a pair of extra frames they had. Not only are they more stylish than I would have expected, but this means that I could put in an order for some quality glasses paid for in large part by my insurance.
They saved me time, they saved me money, and the entire staff was kind. I can wait 10 days for my new glasses, but only because they sort of saved the day today.
And the best part? Finding an eye place I like means I probably won’t wait until my frames break to go back in.
Bonus– they should be getting optomap soon, in case you’re not a fan of dilation.

My family and I have been coming here for the past year and it’s been okay. I appreciate that they have our best interest at heart. I got a stern talking to about the fact that I over use my contacts. Was very direct and honest, but It felt nice to know that they care enough to tell me how it is. Thanks Janet! =)
This place is good. My family and I will be coming here for years to come.

Had my first eye exam from a different eye company. However, selected my glasses from Arboretum Vision Care. They were very competent and explained the process. I waited two weeks for the glasses to come and only to find that the presecription from the first eye company was incorrect. Very frustrated. DR. KENNEDY was wonderful. I don’t remember his name, but the person helping me with the glasses spoke with DR. KENNEDY. Together they figured out that the preceription was indeed incorrect. After another exam, DR. KENNEDY was able to provide not only answers to poor vision but a solution.
I would highly recommend seeing her. She is personable, patient, and knowledgable.

Update: the ownership contacted me and I asked for a partial refund after seeing the issue detailed below but I guess that wasn’t available.
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By way of background, I was having some eye strain headaches so I went in after a particularly bad day and saw (I believe) Dr. Evans.
Cons:
* Gave me a bad eyeglasses script. I had to go to another doctor after my headaches got worse. Saw Dr. Chanlder (listed in another review) to get it fixed.
Happy to show anyone who works for Arboretum Vision Care what glasses I’m wearing now so they can compare that to the script that she sent me away with.
Pros:
* Nice staff, had me see someone in reasonable time given my status as a walk-​in.
* Diagnosed and effectively treated a dry eye condition. I’ve asked MULTIPLE eye doctors about this and she was the first one to nail it down and help resolve it. Awesome.
Not part of this review:
* Glasses purchase — I did NOT buy glasses from them as they had a 3 day turn around and instead went up the road for a 24-​hour place in the mall.

I have no complaints about the doctor I saw… my complaints lie with the absolute terrible service from the front desk. They all act like they are miserable and if this is the way they are taught to operate a business I understand why. Less than an hour after leaving my appointment I received a voicemail saying they forgot to charge me $ 63 for my contact lens fitting… Which is strange since I don’t remember being «fitted» for my contacts… I brought in my boxes and wanted a refill. When I called them back the next day they told me it was a fitting… my insurance covers fittings for a $ 25 copay… they told me it was a «specialty» fitting since I’m a new patient and it wasn’t covered under my insurance… what?! They told me if I didn’t pay it they wouldn’t order my contacts. I’m in my last pair so I paid it. What I don’t understand is how they are making up some random charge that I’ve never heard of before (I know what a fitting is I’ve been wearing contacts for over 20 years). The other thing that doesn’t make sense is how their mistake becomes my problem. Rest assured I will NOT be going back and will most certainly make sure anyone I know does not go there. $ 253 and I got contacts?! Seems like a rip off to me.

This place is so disorganized. I first went 2 years ago for a contact/​glasses exam, and the staff were very disorganized. They later called me to come pick up trial contact lenses that they said had come in, & when I drove over to pick them up, it took them 20 minutes of fumbling around to tell me sorry, they actually didn’t have them. I’m pretty sure there was another similar issue or 2 that I can’t recall because it was 2 years ago. I remember reading Unilocal reviews at the time saying a lot of the staff were new and disorganized.
Now it’s 2 years later and out of convenience – they are open Saturdays and located very close to my home and my husband’s job – I decided to give them another chance and thought maybe things had improved. My husband drove me to my appt because I was planning to get my eyes dilated (& it’s hard to drive after that), & they didn’t have my appt down, so we wasted a trip, arranged our Saturday based on the appt, & my husband had already left, so I called him to come back and get me. I am NEVER going back there.

Dr. Serafine is awesome. Great bedside manner, funny, made me feel comfortable. Most importantly, he answered all of my questions with warmth and patience. I could tell he cared about answering all of my questions, and I could tell he liked talking about eyes (which seems like a weird thing to say, but I love a doctor who seems generally interested and excited about his work). I would give this place 10 stars if possible– just had a great experience.

I moved to Austin recently and, therefore, needed a new optometrist. I’m so thankful I came across this little office of awesomeness. This was hands down one of the best eye exam experiences I’ve had before. Dr. Serafine and Dr. Kennedy truly do make you feel special. Their office is small and the staff do such a professional job all while adding a personal touch. They have a great selection of frames if you wear glasses and the gentleman that fit my glasses was awesome. I’m not sure of his name but he knows his stuff. Also, I was able to call in one afternoon to schedule an appointment and they were able to see me that same day! Yay! If you’re new to Austin or looking for a new eye doctor, you must must must try them out. I guarantee you’ll want to tell everyone about it. I love coming here!!! Satisfied customer… check!

I feel like I need to warn people, no one should have to deal with these people. Let me just say, I’ve been coming here for like 10 years and for the past 5 I have been thinking «man, I should really just go somewhere else.» but I get lazy and it’s never that horrible but obviously now it’s reached that point and I will never go back.
I bought glasses here about a month ago, it took about 3 weeks to get them after they told me it would take less than two weeks which is fine and I was very nice about it. When I finally get them they make me incredibly dizzy so I asked if I could get them looked at. I have to come back a week later where the receptionist is confused as to why I’m even there and then after some weird aggravated communication with the «Doctor» (on his part, she was nice) she takes me to the back. He comes in (old white dude who seemed half asleep) and ask if I have in contacts and I say «yes» and he rolls his eyes and says sarcastically «well you know that I have to examine your eyes, I was told you needed a re-​check. I can’t do that for you with you wearing contacts.» I apologized bewildered as to why I even had to apologize and explained that I can’t even see to walk down the hall without them. I asked questions during the exam and every one of them wasn’t answered he just sighed and said «what do you think I’m trying to figure out?» or «I don’t know what your problem is, these glasses are perfect.»
Then he finishes and says «well, I was told these lenses have two different curves to them for some reason and that can create dizziness.» and I’m just thinking, really asshole? After all that sarcasm and making me feel guilty you’re telling me you knew they were messed up? So he doesn’t give me any sort of answers as to what I should do about it. Then I am walked to the front and talk to another «Doctor» which I’m thinking, oh awesome maybe he’ll be helpful and I can write a complaint about the drugged out weirdo that gave me an exam but no this «Doctor» is almost as bad.
Weirdly rude from the start, then they walk off together and whisper angrily, he comes back and says I need to come in and show him my old glasses because he doesn’t believe me that those were better… what… is… happening? I already took a day off work for this and have been treated awful so I just say «you know, I think I just want to return these and start over somewhere else, this is getting kind of ridiculous.» and he says «We don’t do returns, especially when insurance is involved.» Which I remind him that I have no insurance and spent over $ 300 here so what is he talking about? and then he mumbles and says he was confused. Now I have to go back tomorrow and talk to a manager about returning them… I really hope the manager isn’t as cracked out as everyone else here because I don’t think my nerves can take it.

Dr. Serafine was great. Sometimes you get the idea that the optometrist is bored while they’re doing the «which is better a or b… a… or b», which I completely understand, but it’s really nice when they don’t make you feel like you’re boring them. Serafine was very helpful and answered a lot my dumb questions. Was recommended by a friend. Will recommend to others.

Really bad communication.
Doctor was fine, glasses selection is good, facility is clean, but the staff failed to communicate important information on several instances. In fact in each instance, had they communicated the information I would have realized I should go to a different eye doctor…
Will not return.

I’m so happy I found Arboretum Vision Care. They’ve always taken such good care of me. They definitely know what they’re doing & are so organized that I have never had to wait more than a few more minutes. Everyone is sooo helpful. They are so friendly & courteous on the phone. I highly recommend them!