Dennis E. Ratinoff, O.D.

If you are looking for bargain basement prices, this is not the place. HOWEVER, it you value your eyesight and need continuing professional help, there is none better. I have been going to Dr. Ratinoff for over 30 years and he and his staff have always had given me fine eye-​care help. To be sure, he has lightened up over the years and is friendlier than ever. But I guess I was always interested in my eye care and not a giggly atmosphere in the office. They have always been professional.

I have been seeing Dr. Ratinoff since 2005. Seeing Dr. Ratinoff is not like going to Costco or a franchise optometrist. If you are looking for bargain basement eye doctor, keep on going. Dr. Ratinoff provides quality and personalized eye care. He has helped me and my family with all of our medical eye issues. My husband had accidentally squirted windshield resin in his eye and was able to drive straight to his office and was seen immediately. We were even able to use our Blue Cross medical insurance. My family has a history of ocular melanomas so, I am always very paranoid about my eyes. I feel as though Dr. Ratinoff really cares about the health of my eyes.

I went to Dr. Ratinoff when I had sudden pain, soreness, and severe blurriness in my right eye. It was all I could do to make out his name and number in the phone book (because the vision in my other eye is really blurred) to make an appointment. When I arrived they refused to let me see him. The reason why? I had my two-​month-​old daughter with me, fast asleep in her stroller. They turned deaf ears to my protests, saying that «people bringing children doesn’t work for him». After another day or two of pain, I got an appointment with another doctor who diagnosed the problem: 19 years before, I’d had corner transplants, and my eye was rejecting its new cornea! Dr. Ratinoff had turned me away in an emergency just because I had a child! No thanks to Dr. Ratinoff my vision was saved. Do not go to Dr. Ratinoff if you can help it; even women with children deserve emergency medical care without having to find childcare first.

The first time I went to Dr. Ratinoff he insulted me when I told him that I was going to wait another year before changing my prescription. My vision only needs a minor correction. He literally said, «hope your eyes make it another year». I thought he was kidding but he then went on to say what a mistake I was making. I went another three years without problems. I then went back many years later because of my insurance. The exam was fine but their frames are very expensive.

I called and was quoted prices for the exam and fitting over the phone. When my husband checked out the prices were much higher plus they tried to charge him additional amounts for other «required» services. Afterwards, I called back and got a number of excuses until they finally admitted I was overcharged. Then when my husband returned, we had to fight to get the proper refund from the rude manager and never did receive the full amount. Additionally, Dr. Ratinoff was very rude to my husband until he realized he had him confused with someone else. All in all, go somewhere else!

Ratinoff is a great doctor, Andrea (their optician) is fantastic. Very good experience. Unfortunately they are no longer Eye-​Med providers I but can’t really blame them.

I went to Dr. Ratinoff for a couple of years and I’m not sure why I did. He was ALWAYS rude and abrupt with me. He also missed 2 major issues with my left eye that my new eye Dr. in Mt. View discovered and is keeping a close watch on to make sure the problems don’t progress. Maybe Dr. Ratinoff just doesn’t like women because my husband went there and he was treated just fine. Oh well, I found an excellent Dr. and will continue to go to her. My advice… stay away from Ratinoff.

I first started seeing Dr. Ratinoff over a decade ago, when I used to work in Palo Alto. i continue to see him even though I now work (and live) in San Francisco – he’s that good. Very pleasant and efficient – not a barrel of laughs but that’s not why you go to see him anyway. I never have to wait for appointments and his staff are very professional and service oriented. Most recently, Dr. Ratinoff sent me an emergency pair of contact lenses to my office overnight – free of charge. I highly recommend his practice.