Walnut Square Optometry

Great service. Very attentive and willing to spend time to thoroughly address your needs. Great place!

I have been a customer for almost 7 years. Dr Sim gave me my first eye exam, and I bought my first pair of eyeglasses here, which i still wear and love. Although I am still a bit uneasy when getting an eye exam (and having my eyes dilated), Dr Sim is kind, caring and professional. She answers my questions. The staff (although there have been changes over the years) has always been friendly and helpful. I love their selection of frames and Mathew and Dan are truly helpful
Today when I picked up my new lenses and my first-​ever pair of prescription sunglasses, my eyes did not take to my new prescription, which was quite stronger in one eye. Dan explained that my eyes needed to adjust, I had been compensating for an old prescription. I had a moment of panic, what if I didn’t adjust? Dan assured me that my eyes would get use to the new prescription, but If after 2 weeks it was still a problem, I should come back. They have a 60 day guarantee and would make sure this worked for me. So today I write the Unilocal review for the caring, great frames, good customer service, and professionalism.

I had such an amazing experience with everyone at this office! After an initial hiccup with scheduling due to Dr. Sim being out, they quickly found availability — even sooner than the original date. With the date moving as quickly as it did, I didn’t have care available for my 2 month old, and they were more than gracious in having him there for the full eye exam and all the paperwork. As a new mom, I can’t tell you how grateful I was to get everything done without feeling like I had an unwelcome guest with me. On the contrary, they were super respectful and kind.
Beyond the amazingly kind and gracious staff, they are all very professional in their work. Dr. Sim was thorough in her exam, making sure I had the right prescription. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that my eyes haven’t changed in 3+ years, which meant my current glasses were just fine. But I did need new contact lenses, so Dr. Sim made sure I could try a few different trial pairs before picking the right fit. The gentlemen at the front were super efficient with the paperwork and answered any and all questions.
All in all, I am so glad to have found this gem of a spot. They make eye appointments fun!

I went to Walnut Square while I was visiting Berkeley for a couple of weeks, because I knew that my opticians at home in England had gotten my (pretty complex) prescription wrong. Dr Sim and Dan and the rest were not only super helpful and professional in getting things arranged so that I could get it all done within the time I was in Berkeley, but they did a fantastic job in making sure that my new glasses actually correct my vision. I couldn’t be happier with the glasses, almost three months on. (They also helped me find my family in a nearby park when I couldn’t get decent internet reception on my phone.) Yes, it is expensive, but for complex prescriptions I think paying a lot is inevitable.

Very thorough and professional.
Worked with me through difficult long trial and accommodated all my needs.

The selection of frames are nice, if a little plain. I’m used to the flashier designs one might find in optometry centers where younger people go. However, I only wanted frames that were functional, not ugly, and would help me see. The frames I got do just that. One thing I really appreciate about the brand I got (411), when you buy a frame, they give a frame to a person in need. They get a star for the conscious frames. The other frames can get pretty pricey but still, good.
The optometrist is very thorough and does some tests not usually done at what I have come to call «eye mills.» This place is very good, especially because of the care you receive.
It was a busy day when I came for my eye exam and it took awhile for anyone to pay attention to the fact that I needed help. But they tried.
Two weeks later, I get a call to pick up my glasses. The staff in the office were awkward… to say the least. Like they had never seen a brown woman coming into a Berkeley boutique before. The man eventually snapped out of it and did his job but the young white woman could barely look at me, did not say hello or even acknowledge my presence.
I get that this is a boutique but it’s 2015. We don’t need snooty assistance anymore or people who are uncomfortable working with clients from all backgrounds and ethnicities.

Dr. Sim and her staff are seriously wonderful; everyone is welcoming and great at what they do! Dr. Sim is knowledgable, attentive, and thorough and the opticians are super helpful and patient. Just today Dan and Matthew found and helped me decide between two amazing pairs of frames (I was there for two hours, never felt rushed, and I am very happy with my choice). I highly recommend Walnut Square to everyone!

Wow!
This has been one of, if not the best, experiences in optometry I have ever had. Initially, I was skeptical because I’m not used to the upscale type of products that California offers along with the «upscale people» that I experienced since being here as well. I am so glad I gave this place a shot.
The total package was amazing. From Kim setting up and then calling to remind me of the appointment to Dan walking around with me offering his immensely vast knowledge of an area of product that I had no clue about.
Not to mention the Optometrist, Dr. Nicole Sims, was the best and most knowledgeable I have ever had the opportunity to experience.
Between me and my partner we were both totally satisfied and ended up walking out with products they we felt confident in putting this kind of money into because they corrected our visions perfectly and we are in style.
I highly recommend this little hole in the wall place.

I had a really fantastic experience at Walnut Square… the staff fixed two pairs of broken frames bought elsewhere, insisted that I not pay for the minor but absolutely necessary repairs, and in general could not have been more professional and forthcoming. I will return in the future to buy frames and glasses from WS right from the start.

Dr. Sim really provides the highest quality of care. My husband and I have been going to Walnut Square for over 5 years. Dr. Sim alerted me and my husband about eye issues we were overlooking. She literally saved my life and really owe her the hugest thanks possible. It’s really easy to take your eye health for granted. Go see Dr. sim and her team to know you are receiving the most thorough care for your eyes possible. We love the staff there. They are very helpful in selecting the right frame style that is the most comfortable and flattering. She has flexible and Saturday hours. Don’t delay, you will be impressed!

A few years ago I bought a pair of Silhouette reading glasses here, prior to Dr. Sim’s tenure, and seem to mangle them from time to time since they’re like solidified air with very thin temples. I always find the staff (today it was Megan) friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful by straightening out the glasses so I can see through them.

I received an eye exam here a few weeks ago, it was my second time around and as always a great experience. Dr. Sim was thorough in her exam and explained in detail how to better take care of my eyes. We even reviewed photos of my eyes that she took to see the contrast. Note to self, wear sun glasses when you spend a lot of time outside in the sun. I picked up a pair of frames to replace my old ones. Isabella at the front desk was great in helping me select a style that I would like. I don’t like going to the dentist or the optometrist, but when I do I’m happy it’s an enjoyable experience.

I am a former customer and patient from the Dr Harrison /​Dono /​Royce days. I stuck it out with Dr Sim and her staff in the optical shop for 3 exams, but determined after my exam last year to find a different optometrist and abandon ship on this place.
My complaints, specifically: My 2013 appointment was last of the day at 3 pm. When I arrived early, I was made to wait past my appointment time and when I did get in to see Dr Sim for my exam (which was post-​pregnancy and post-​breastfeeding and I was badly in need of a new prescription), I was rushed through my exam. My eye health was not (in my opinion) thoroughly checked, and my questions to Dr Sim were met with snippy answers in a rude tone.
I was given the hard sell by the front office staff to buy a new set of frames — which admittedly, I love and still adore wearing to this day — but they were uncomfortably above my budget, and I had gone in hoping to re-​lens my existing vintage frames. This was a weakness on my part, but I really felt the pressure to buy-​buy-​buy. At least Dono and Royce had some finesse about it.
I’m done with this place — I got a referral to another shop that is (a) in my neighborhood, (b) does not have a zillion stairs or awful parking, © is far and away more through, competent, and up-​to-​date on diagnostics and (d) encouraged me to keep my current prescription and sent me away without suggesting I buy eyeglasses at all. Night and day, I tell you.
Walnut Square Optometry is a high-​priced optical boutique focused on selling high-​end eyewear to those who can afford it, and who don’t have serious eye issues or health needs. If all you need is a quick prescription change and have $ 600 or more to spend PER PAIR of glasses, this is a great place to find unusual frames. However, if you’re interested in a thorough check of your eye health, an optometrist that truly cares about you as a patient, and affordable lenses and frames, this is NOT your place.
Addendum: They did replace one scratched lens, which was under warranty, and they did so without any cost to me and it was done on time and with good cheer. However, the lab they sent it to gave the lens a different color of anti-​glare coating than the original lens, so now they don’t match — one is pink-​tinted and the other is green-​tinted. It gives my glasses a subtle psychedelic 3D flare that I actually don’t mind because I’m an arty kook, but someone with less creative outlook on such things might have a big problem with this. FYI.

As always I had a really pleasant overall experience at Walnut Square Optometry for my annual visit there.
I will be losing my insurance this month, so I wanted to take advantage of my insurance plan while it lasts. Not only was Dr Sim’s exam meticulous and great but as the front desk was really busy and a new employee was being trained, she took time to point out my copay and specifics of my insurance coverage for me and my family after the exam.
I also found out that I can insure my family and I, on my own through VSP, which I plan on doing from now on since I lost my job insurance. The team was really helpful providing all that information.
I love coming to Walnut Square and have no desire to see anybody else. I strongly recommend them to everyone!

I’ve gone to this office to have my eyes examined maybe four times and things have always gone smoothly. On my last visit I was told I’d need eye glasses for a little blurriness I experience while watching TV. I asked for a pair of glasses that would be fully covered by my insurance since I’d primarily be using them at home and didn’t have to be seen in public so they didn’t really have to have much style.
When I sat down with the receptionist she begin giving me a price above what was discussed and requested, naturally I questioned her. The Doctor over heard our discussion and felt, for whatever reason, she was going to get involved. A simple discussion about price and what I wanted became extremely hostile. The Doctor grab my file and began yelling at me about my insurance coverage vs my cost… she was pointing so hard at my file I thought her finger was going to punch through the papers.
The doctor continued to talk down to me with such disdain in her voice (I was floored!) I had to ask if I had done something to upset her and she went bananas. She continued to go off about my previous inquiry about their pricing and how she was trying to help me… This was an extremely weird and uncomfortable position to be in, she hadn’t even completed my eye exam when all of this occurred. Needless to say I will not be going back here, EVER!

Still going to Walnut Square after 6 years! I think I’ve gotten maybe eight pairs of glasses here over the years, all of them cool and unique. I needed an eye surgery and Dr. Sim referred me to the best surgeon in the Bay Area. Dan and Josh are both great opticians. Love this place.

Hands down the best optometrist my wife or I have ever been to. Dr. Sim was very kind and thorough, and diagnosed my wife with two conditions which had never been noticed before. We were very impressed with her.
The front office staff are very attentive, and spent lots of time helping us to find eyeglasses that both fit our faces and our budgets. They also repaired my old pair for free while I was trying on new frames.
It was a pleasure to get new prescriptions and eyeglasses at Walnut Square Optometry. I highly recommend them!

Well, it’s happened. I am now near-​sighted AND far-​sighted. Yippee! So, I saw Dr. Sims because I could not read without holding it out far and squinting… She suggested I try progressive lens. but warned me that not everyone can work with them! I could not see at all out of them!
I was admittedly upset… The glasses where super cute, but not cheap… She listened to all of my concerns and really went out of her way to fix my problem and work with me and my budget! She re-​test my eyes… at no cost beyond what I initially paid. She, also, gave me a deep discount on my second pair!
Her staff were fun, accommodating and professional.
Walnut Square Optometry has a great, hip selection of glasses too!
If you have to wear glasses… this is the place to buy them!

Dr. Sim and her staff are exceptional! This is a personable staff that will give you personable care.
Pros:
— Very professional
— Patient
— Very thorough eye exam
— Decent prices for my insurance
— They were even able to upgrade my old glasses with the new prescription

Both my husband, my daughter and I have been going to see Dr. Sim and her awesome sidekicks (Dan and Josh) since they took over the previous Dr’s practice a few years back. Dr. Sim is not only passionate about her science, but she’s equally passionate about her patients. She always makes you feel like you’re her only focus during an office visit.
During my last visit, Dr. Sim recently switched me over from frames to contacts after I expressed that i had trouble wanting to wear my glasses. She set me up with a mono-​correction and it’s made my vison world 100% more liberating. She nailed the prescription right away and I no longer have think about putting on and taking off glasses according to my multiple tasks all day (computer, driving or reading). it’s all now in one sweet package! She’s a rockstar.
Dr. SIm also diagnosed my daughter with a weird inflammation of her inner eye that needed immediate attention and sent her straight away to a specialist to take care of it. It looked at first like a common eye infection, but Dr. Sim nailed the diagnosis – which saved my daughter from further damage to her eye.
In the frames department, Josh and Dan are super fab at finding just the right frames that fit your face and lifestyle. They really understand the ratio of frame size/​shape to face shape, and take the time to consider frame color with your personality. When I had picked out my computer station frames (before contacts) they really helped me hone in on a pair i loved.
In a nutshell, if you want to feel REALLY well taken care of by a team that knows what they’re doing and totally cares about their patients then WSO is worth checking out.