Site for Sore Eyes – Berkeley

Berkeley, United States

3.4

Open now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 510-841-6963
Website:
siteforsoreeyes.com
Address:
2174 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA, 94704
at Allston Way
Downtown Berkeley
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
130 ftShattuck Av & Allston Way
340 ftDowntown Berkeley
410 ftShattuck Sq & Center St
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Accepts Apple Pay
No
Parking
Street, Validated
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Dogs Allowed
Yes
By Appointment Only
No
Accepts Insurance
Yes

Today

Today 9:30 am – 7:00 pm
Open now
Local time (Berkeley) 18:02 Thursday, 22 May 2025

Business hours

Monday 9:30 am – 7:00 pm
Tuesday 9:30 am – 7:00 pm
Wednesday 9:30 am – 7:00 pm
Thursday 9:30 am – 7:00 pm
Friday 9:30 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Site for Sore Eyes is your one-​stop solution for all of your eye care needs. From state-​of-​the-​art eye examinations by our Sterling VisionCare Optometrist to our incredible selection of eyewear products and services, we’re proud to offer everything your family needs to enjoy crystal clear vision and healthy eyes. Our comprehensive eye exams are conducted using the latest technology in optical testing equipment, so you can rest assured knowing that your prescription will be accurate. Whether you want discount frames, designer eyewear, specialty lenses, sports eyewear, sunglasses, or contact lenses, you can find them all here — and for less than anywhere else. Stop in today or contact us for more information!

History

Established in 1979.

The first Site for Sore Eyes Optical Store opened in Berkeley, California in 1979. By 1985, the vision care chain had grown to eight stores, putting a successful optical franchising program in motion. In 1993, this ever-​growing company for optical needs was purchased by Emerging Vision, Inc., a publicly traded company.

Meet the Business Owner

Paul L.

Business Owner

I am the founder of Site For Sore Eyes. First store opened in Downtown Berkeley 1979. I am a Master Optician with over 40 years of experience. I’ve taught opticianry at local community colleges, given expert testimony in court proceedings and have a loyal multi-​generational customer base.

I’ve been specializing in difficult fits and am an expert in hi tech digital lens technology.

I am eager to serve all your eye are need personally although I am proud of my staff who are all certified opticians with decades of experience.

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20 reviews of Site for Sore Eyes – Berkeley

No registration required
Place rating: 3
San Pablo, CA
I was happy with the eye exam and the solutions that were provided for my particular situation. I ended up buying a years’ supply of contact lenses because I was told that, if I did a years’ supply, I would get a $ 140 rebate back from the contact lens maker. I bought the years’ supply and applied for the rebate, sending in every little thing they required. After waiting over two months for the rebate, I was told the most I would get would be $ 40. That was very disappointing to say the least.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
I’ve been coming here for years because I’m the kind of guy who loses his glasses then stumbles around like a drunkard looking for his next drink. I visited this weekend because of an interview the next day. Get some glasses made quick, I asked. And they did. Their kindness, professionalism, prices were great.
The next day I aced the interview.
Hence the five stars.
Those stars are also meant to balance off the negative reviews here. No place is perfect and maybe when the owner’s not around the place sings, which was my experience. So choose your time wisely! You just might like it.
Place rating: 5
Westfield, NJ
I ran in here on a Sunday afternoon after realizing my normal optometrist stopped accepting my insurance and I was desperate for new glasses. The selection was great and I was helped basically immediately.
Picked my frames, lenses and had the paperwork completed in under 30 minutes and they had them back from the lens cutter in 2 – 3 business days. Definitely would recommend checking them out if you are in need of glasses. Additionally– if you aren’t insured, they have a number of sales/​promotions to help keep the costs from being too prohibitive and will walk you through the options to help you figure out your best option.
Place rating: 1
San Francisco, CA
The man working in the store was very rude to me — don’t go here! I’m seriously shocked at how blatantly disrespectful he was, in front of a store of people. Wow! What happened to customer service?
Plus they couldn’t find my insurance info, never followed up about frames.
NO THANK YOU!
Place rating: 2
Berkeley, CA
I came here to get an eye exam and didn’t realize that Sterling VisionCare is the optometry arm of this Site for Sore Eyes store. I wish I had known that before I arrived b/​c otherwise I would not have booked an appointment here. My insurance company had listed this place on their provider list.
This place is super shady. The owner of the store was manning the reception area for the optometry section when I came in. He told me that I could get a year’s worth of contacts for only $ 120 after a manufacturer rebate and my insurance coverage. What he didn’t tell me was that I’ve have to shell out over $ 500 first and then wait for the reimbursements. FYI, when you get you eyeglass prescription, they’ll only give you the pupillary distance if you know to ask for it or buy glasses from them (which you wouldn’t discover until you try to order glasses online from another vendor) and charge you $ 25 for it. I. Am. Never. Going. Back.
By the way, the female receptionist woman (the Vietnamese one) really could use some lessons in phone etiquette and politeness. The other Unilocal review about lack of professionalism is pretty spot on.
Place rating: 1
San Jose, CA
This place is unprofessional. The only good thing about this place was the location. I came in for a eye exam and after the exam i asked for my prescription because my father was going to buy my glasses and contacts for me online as a gift. The optometrist lectured me on how i shouldn’t buy contacts/​glasses online and that i should buy them from this place. i told him i wasn’t the one paying for my glasses/​contacts, but my father was and he still tried to pressure me to buy from here. This made me very uncomfortable, very sleazy used car salesman tactics. Also when i asked if he could measure my interpupillary distance he refused.
This was a older white male, honestly spend a few more bucks and go somewhere else, why trust these people examining your eyes
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
This has been my place for years now, just never got the chance to review them.
I have always gotten great customer service and they have been helpful, in choosing the glasses or contacts. Also, they would make sure to apply the discounts on the orders I made for the contact lenses.
They also have good choice of eye glasses and brands. The showroom is very pleasant and clean. I do get my eye exam there and Dr. SUSAN is awesome as usual.
Thank you,
Recommended.
Place rating: 1
Oakland, CA
This place is a scam! I spent $ 800 on 2 pairs of glasses here. When I went back to get my lenses replaced, they wouldn’t give me my $ 200 in difference back and said it was store credit only. The salesperson really sold me on progressives which are giving me a headache so I need to replace the lenses with non progressives, hence the difference in price. What am I going to do with that? They are scam artists.
GO TO LENSCRAFTERS! They don’t keep your money!
Place rating: 5
Ventura, CA
Sooooo many fabulous styles to choose from — most courteous attentive and professional service even on a huge sale day !!
Place rating: 5
Pittsburg, CA
I have been a customer here since 1992, when I first discovered my vision was going. Paul and his staff has been very accommodating with my crazy schedule and quirky ideas for replacing old glasses or getting new ones. I am a creature of habit, I live in Pittsburg now and I wont get my glasses from any other locations. In 24 yrs, I have changed or replaced at least a dozen pairs of eyewear or contacts, Paul has selected my glasses sometimes before I arrive. Loyal customer.
Place rating: 1
El Cerrito, CA
This place is the worst optical place in the UNIVERSE!!! I called attempting to get my prescription to order glasses online since they did not carry a very common brand in store and would not order them. Anyway when I called I spoke to some ghetto girl who refused to tell me her name when I called asking for my information. She stated that they needed to mail it or my other optometry could call to get it. I stood there while they called and she proceeded to tell them I was not a client when I had just spoke with her for over 10 minutes. Not only that but I called again while driving en route to just pick up the actual prescription and bring it to my new office I lost connection going under a tunnel. After leaving the tunnel I noticed I had a voicemail where the rude lady called and left me a message saying «Before you hung up on me I was trying to tell you how to get it off line (hostile voice) call back if you want to or not» Needless to say I never called back and turned around and paid for a second eye exam so I would not have to meet with her or the sorry staff. One good thing about it was that Ii learned to trust Unilocal reviews and this was a lesson learned. Sorry site for sore eyes you have officially been labeled the WORST PLACE IN BERKELEY, CA FOR EYES
Place rating: 5
Campbell, CA
Excellent prices, i got my glasses during a buy one get one free sale. Staff was super helpful and polite. I definitely recommend this store. Not sure why the reviews up to now are low. I had an excellent experience with this store.
Place rating: 1
Albany, CA
I don’t really prefer this place. They are very unorganized and some of the staff and even the owner can be very short. Their selection of glasses aren’t that great and carry a lot of cheap frames. One of the receptionist and one of the doctors are pretty on top of things but overall my experience here was not good. I went with my friends to lens crafters and I prefer them much better!
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
These people are awesome! The lowest cost eye exam around and they were able to take me the same day. And I got two pairs of glasses for the price of one. Nice frames comparably priced to what I found on the internet. My prescription turned out right and they were prompt in putting my lenses in my glasses since I was going on the trip.
Place rating: 5
Vallejo, CA
I love this place. Been coming here for a very long time. I love the buy one get one free deal and there always seems be a nice willing team member to help. I haven’t gone any other place for my glasses and I doubt I will.
Place rating: 3
Brooklyn, NY
Review on eye exam only. The exam was efficient and reasonably priced. It didn’t seem like they were using the latest technology but it got the job done.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
I’m really confused by how this place has an overall low rating on Unilocal… I think they’re great.
It’s all well and good to like a store or service provider when everything goes perfectly but when there are problems, that’s when you find out what they’re made of for real.
I’ve been wearing glasses as long as I can remember and I’ve always been a little difficult to fit. I’ve found that each person on their staff has a different and useful skill or technique for getting around challenges and each has given me good advice about how to choose frames that are more likely to work for me. When something hasn’t worked out they’ve fixed the problem — when my frames broke they replaced them.
As an aside, the store owner, Paul, actually started Site For Sore Eyes like 25 years ago and takes enormous pride in doing a good job. Like me, he’s originally from NY and does have a direct and zero BS communication style but don’t let that throw you, Berkeley ;) I wouldn’t have brought it up except that I noticed someone mentioned it in one of the unhappy comments.
Place rating: 3
Berkeley, CA
They advertise various «great» deals, but when I actually went to order my classes, it turned out that Oh, they don’t offer this, you can’t get this deal with that, blah, blah, blah … it came up to $ 400.
They had me take an eye exam, because according to the clerk «It is actually ILLEGAL to get new glasses based on your existing prescription from 2.5 years ago. «
Really, people go to jail for that? Seriously…
Then, I was offered the so called «100 off a new frame deal» I considered it, but the frames they had were mostly old and overpriced, so it was not a deal. I had purchased glasses from them before, paid $$$, and the frames broke 2 years later.
I asked them to bring my own frame. They said OK, but you don’t get the «second pair free deal»
So, let me examine this so called deal — they charge you for the overpriced frames so much, that they can afford to throw in a «free» pair of glasses with frames selected from the bargain bin, that are left over because nobody wanted to purchase them.
I SEE. Literally, because I did bring my own frame and I got my new glasses. I didn’t get a second pair free, but that’s OK, because the frame I brought cost me only $ 40 and it is still in great shape after 3+ years, unlike the one I bought there, which fell apart quickly and cost me a lot.
So, is it a good place to purchase glasses? I’d say yes. They did let me bring my own frame, and made the glasses in about a week. I have transitional, bifocal lenses, and I like wearing them.
Are you getting an exceptional deal there? I’d say no, but it is not any worse than LensCrafters, or many of the other stores in the area. If you know a better place let me know.
Place rating: 4
Richmond, CA
This is a nice, comfortable, affordable location with excellent service. I was able to schedule an appointment with the dr. Susan Cunningham who did a very thorough examanition. She was able to provide with helpful tips and went the extra step to get the cost of my contacts and exam down as low as possible.
Also, I had my boyfriends glasses which he broke and they fixed them free of charge! I thought they were beyond repair and they came out great!
Thanks so much for making my visit really quick and wonderful.
Place rating: 2
Berkeley, CA
CUSTOMER SERVICE– I walked into the store and was instantly turned off right away when, while filling out the forms, Paul demanded that I recite my entire Social Security number aloud to him. Granted, there were only a few customers in the store at the time, but I indicated that I felt uncomfortable doing so– and felt even more uncomfortable when he announced loudly that «NO ONE IS LISTENING».
I don’t even work in customer service and know that the most common sense thing to do would just be to have the customer fill out the form his/​herself!
He also loudly berated another employee in full earshot of everyone in the store. Said employee was actually quite a lovely person and much of help and I felt sorry that she had to put up with his bull.
OPTOMETRIST– Susan was great– walked me through the eye exam and talked me through some of the questions I had. Also made me feel at ease when I indicated that I was nervous about certain portions of the exam.
IN ALL– Grabbed the prescription and ran. Prices for frames were at eyebrow-​raising prices as well.