Pearle Vision

This place is laughable. Went in there on a Saturday morning (I knew it would be packed), the ladies working the front counter have no idea what they are doing and are extremely rude to each other; to the point it made me feel uncomfortable. At the end of my visit, one of the women signed off on the Dr. Prescription IN FRONT of me!
Now Dr. Greenburg, I’ve never felt like such a bother to a doctor before. He was getting upset with me because I couldn’t see somethings during the vision exam… Uhh hello? Isn’t that why I’m here?
Overall, I will not be going back nor would I recommend getting an exam here.

I should have not gone into the store when the first person I spoke to on the phone was rude, but I really wanted to check out their frame options. So I went in person just to browse. After about 20 minutes I was approached by an employee to see if I needed help. I already had determined which frames I really liked so I just had a question about pricing. The employee who «helped» me was visibly irritated by my questions when I asked about their Unilocal deal and wanted a break down of what the cost would be out the door for frames + lenses. Since I don’t have vision insurance I was reasonably concerned about how quickly the price got to almost $ 500 without the eye exam! When I was clearly balking at the astronomical price, she THEN mentions she could give me 30% off. Anyway, I wrote down the code for the frames I wanted and purchased them through Sears online for a lot less. Pearle priced the frames (no lenses) for $ 179.99 and Sears had them for $ 83. I’ll be getting my exam and filling the lenses at a different optical center.

Everyone here is super friendly and fun! I saw Dr. Blasé and he was extremely friendly and found something in my eye that my previous eye doctor either A never saw or B never mentioned and I’d been going to him since i was a sophomore in high school, but they don’t take my insurance so i had to go elsewhere.
So as soon as I walk in they check me and asked for both my vision and health insurance I’ve never been asked for both at the eye dr so I thought that was weird but went with it.
I waited for a few minutes then was called to take the puff test, the blue light test and vision test. Shortly after that I was seen by dr. Blasé which was really quick. He then had me take some further tests.
I picked out my frames and had them the same day! I thought that was the coolest since I used to have to wait a week to two weeks. The price of frames or pretty high here. I didn’t really see anything cute or fashionable or that looked good on me below $ 140.
I’ll be back to see the specialist so hopefully that experience goes as well as the first!

Nice location, clean and modern shop, but awful scheduling. My 12:30 appointment had me sitting in the wait area for 20 minutes (just left a few seconds ago) before I went up to ask what the deal was. I was told I could expect another 30 – 60 minutes of waiting. My ass. I canceled then and there. I advise those who value their time to cancel as well.

I really like this vision center. I’ve been coming here ever since I needed glasses. Some employees have been here since then too! I come here because of my eye doctor, Dr Blasé. He is knowledgable, personable and sweet. I would recommend him to anyone.
About 2 – 3 years ago they went through a removal. And boy it was needed! It looks so sharp and big. They also added a small nook for kids to play while you wait to be called on.

I have been coming here for years. I come and see Lori and she treats me like I am a VIP customer. When it is time for me to get new frames and upgrade my look, I look for her opinion in my decision making. If something doesn’t look good she is honest with me. In all honesty I continue to come here and bring my family here because of Lori and the great doctors they have here. In this over saturated market customer service makes the difference. The prices are great, very fast service with repairs and the quality of their product is awesome.

Great service from Lori and another young lady (didn’t get her name). I typically take hours to make decisions like this but they really helped me decide in less than 15 minutes!

For as many people as seem to be working there there’s never anyone that seem to be available to help you. I think I’ve seen most of the doctors there, they all seem to be fine but give recommendations for different types of contacts, you have to ask for help with that.

Lori took the time and worked with me. I had no appointment and she went way beyond the call of duty! She is the best!

I am short of impossible to deal with, but Sandy R did a great job in dealing with me. She was well versed on what she does at this location, took care of me in a very short period of time, and did it all professionally. She took into consideration that time is of the essence for me, and had everything done in an hour — frame and progressive lenses. I had an issue with the lenses once they were made. NOT THE FAULT OF THE STORE, it was me. Sandy had the lenses replaced with what was thought of being better lenses. Instead they were worse. Again, NOT THE STORES FAULT. My vision is rather tricky. Sandy accommodated me with all the differences my vision posed. Not one single complaint from her. Carried herself in a manner that reflected a sense of being more than happy to do it.
I will say that one girl there had a less than pleasant demeanor on the phone one day when I called, but everyone else is very kind and professional. Not much you can expect from todays younger generation.

Went to get frames repaired on my son’s glasses. Refused to even try to repair them (hinge was disconnected) … only solution was to buy a new pair of frames (I guess that is the business model). Then it turns out the frames are not in stock. Can’t place an order on a Saturday, so it would need to wait until Monday… then at least 5 days for delivery. (meanwhile the kid has tape on his glasses and they’re crooked).
Final straw, asked them to call around to other Pearle stores to see if the frames are in stock at another location in Chicago area … she refused to do that because «we’re a franchise» … meaning she didn’t want to give up the business to another location. So I had to do the calling myself (thanks). Instead bought the frames for less on
AND with 2 days shipping included (how come I can get it in two days but they can’t get it until 5???).
Overall a horrible customer service experience.

I’ve been using Pearle Vision for the last 4 years. I started going to the store by division and clybourn but since I moved closer to Elmwood Park, this is the closest store. This is the second time I’ve visited this store and I’ve always been greeted as soon as I walk in. I was able to set an appointment online and the Doctor, Dr. Lang was very friendly when he suggested changing lenses from acuvue 2 to acuvue oasis or the air optix brand. He gave me samples and asked me to try them and come back in a few days to make a decision. At checkout another employee, Matt went over my exam again and also suggested I try a different a brand or two since I had complained about dry eyes and hadn’t changed brands in like 7 years. I’m happy that the entire staff was part of my experience at the store. It’s nice to know there are people that know more about this than myself and used their knowledge to help me out!

I only gave it 4 stars because I scheduled an appointment at 12:00 during my lunch hour. I got there 10 minutes early since you always have paperwork to fill out and still was not seen by the doctor at 12:45 with more people in front of me. They were able to schedule me for a later time, at 4:15 after work and I got in immediately. Otherwise they would have easily received 5 stars.
One thing that bothers me about some vision care offices is that they cannot look up your insurance vision benefits easily. To be honest I did not remember what mine covered and had no time to check on it before going to my appointment/​s. Since this office is ‘Doing Business As Pearle Vision’ they could not connect to the Pearle Vision I previous visited to check my records.
The doctor was very friendly, very informative and made me feel comfortable. The staff is very friendly and SUPER helpful. One staff member I want to point out is Matthew Castorena. He went above and beyond to help me get the best price for the glasses I wanted. I almost turned them down and went to find a cheaper pair but he really worked hard to get be a price I could live with. Thanks Matt! You’re AWESOME!

I could kick myself for being proactive last year and getting my eye exam in march. I have coinsurance, so I flogged my husband in here early last year for 2 exams, 2 sets of glasses, 2 contact exams, and 2 six month supplies of contacts. No problem, I wear contacts for work a few days a week, not even six months out of the year. All covered. Dr. Grace was lovely and professional, the glasses and contacts fit. Four stars.
Fast forward to today, I accidentally rip one of my last pair of new contacts. I’d rather wait until June to schedule my annual exam, since dh’s coinsurance will be active then. I stop in the Pearle to buy a month’s supply of disposables to tide me over to my next exam. I need a pair for work tomorrow, so I can wear specific safety glasses.
So I was told by the sales clerk it would be ILLEGAL for me to buy disposible contacts, since my last exam was the third week of march, 2012.
ILLEGAL. Like I’m trying to score meth in Kansas instead of contact lenses in a PEARLE VISION.
ILLEGAL.
I will not be back. I don’t need the hassle of them trying to milk my insurance instead of supplying my vision needs. I had an exam in 2012, I’ll have one in 2013 but it won’t be here.
*edit* added back a star, since i was contacted by one of the owners with an offer to correct the situation and an apology. i should have asked to speak to a manager, the situation might have resolved itself that evening.

I couldn’t see for 10 years and when I walked into this place on one rainy day in Feb 2010. I could instantly see again. Amazing. :) ok Just Kidding.
1) INSURANCE: THIS PLACE TAKES VSP & EYE MED INSURANCE! That was the only reason I went here and it’s also very close to my work. [Used to have EyeMed, but switched jobs, and the new company used VSP — which is usually used by Independent practitioners] I was surprised to see that this Pearle offered VSP. Note that they also take Eyemed as well.
2) RECEIPTIONIST: I walk in. The receptionist greets me and gets down to business. You fill out a new patient form and they will make you read over a paper and make you sign it.
The 1^st question asked something along the lines of «Do you want a State of the Art Retina Scam for an extra $ 25 bucks» which isn’t covered by insurance usually. I of course said no way. My eyeball is still round and my retina is still attached (not even sure where the Retina is, but I still cross my fingers to this date that I made the right decision).
The 2^nd question asks something technical about pupil dilation. I said, «I don’t understand #2, would you please explain it?, to which she responds… «It will make your eyes blurry for the rest of the day», but it’s really important. I said … pass for today, but I will reschedule (It’s included with insurance). You sign and then you go to the waiting area.
3) TECHNICIAN DUDE: In the waiting area, I heard my name called and I went to the technician. I put my eyes into some machines and I see pretty roads, cars, and buildings… I tell him where the cars are in relation to specific markers they have, and then I see dots flash everywhere to which I yelled «It’s on the right side, left side, both sides, everywhere!» Then I squinted to read a whole bunch of numbers. I also got the infamous puff of air into my eyeballs. If you do like to cheat… (which I wouldn’t recommend)… the answers to the bottom row 7 are Z C E O V B.) Go get em and they will be impressed.
4) DOCTOR: Older gentleman, but very nice. Took me in, we discussed past eye doctor history. I rec’d a trial pair of contacts and apparently my eye prescription never changed… so… (in my head… what a waste of money for even coming), but apparently my stigmatism changed a lil bit, so he was helping with that. Within 7 minutes, I was done with him.
3) STORE/​GLASSES/​CONTACTS SELECTION: It’s a very large store (with its own laboratory) — which they can make glasses in less than an hour — Hence, the «Express» part. However, they turn off half of the lights, to probably save money. It’s actually pretty dark when you’re inside the store. Frames are definitely marked up, with the cheapest starting at $ 119.95 — $ 129.95… oh whaddya know? Thats the maximum benefit of my VSP insurance. Guess like I will be paying more out of my pocket if I get them there.
Overall they are down to earth, quick and efficient. –1 Star for the poor lighting in store and very expensive frames…
Oh, making an appt shouldn’t be too bad as it was pretty much empty the day I went and they are flexible.