Globe Optical

Incompetent. This optometrist is incompetent. It is as if she is just guessing when it comes to prescribing the appropriate lens. I have been to her seven times over the past six months trying to get contact lens that I can see through. Each change seems to worsen the situation. I have left work, paid for parking seven times and today still have lens that do not work. There are several hundred other Optometrists in Seattle. All of them have to be more competent than this one.

This place was a LIFE-​SAVER! We came in right when they opened on a Saturday at 9am in desperate need of help. We were traveling to Seattle for a football game and my wife left all of her contacts (and her glasses) back home. We were going to go site-​seeing on Saturday and then had bleacher seats for the game on Sunday, so the entire trip was in jeopardy.
Right when we got in, Samantha was very understanding and helpful. Luckily, we had my wife’s prescription with us and Samantha was able to provide us with some emergency contact replacements for the trip. My wife can see, and the trip was saved thanks to Samantha!

I have been going to this place since I was in the 10^th grade I am now almost 25. They have helped with and without insurance and I have had four pairs of glasses made there! They are super nice. I have recommended friends there as well and they also have had a great experience. I’d rather go to a small business than a corporate place anyways. Thanks guys!
–Rio

Dr. Lau is very thorough. I had a funny situation where I had 2 prescriptions, one for the outdoors and one for the indoors. She was patient with me in the process of getting both of those perscriptoins filled. Her staff is very helpful and they were also very patient with me as I chose my frames.

The person scheduling our appt did not seem that friendly. She just seemed impatient. Eye exams were booked about a month in advance. When we showed up for our appointment, it was about 15 minutes late. Dr. Lau came to get us. The appointment was for my mom who didn’t speak English well. The doctor did most of the exam in Chinese and seemed very patient and professional throughout the appointment. We didn’t get glasses there since the insurance coverage wasn’t that great. I would recommend the optometrist to other people.

Have been going to Globe for years, but had a recent experience illustrating why Globe is #1. When at the airport last weekend on my way to Hawaii, I realized I forgot to pack extra contacts. After boarding, I called hoping to get my prescription emailed just on the chance I lost one in the pool or diving. I was pleasantly surprised when they offered to send me a sample pair overnight to my hotel (at my expense, of course). Not only did all this happen while on the airplane waiting for departure, the contacts showed up yesterday with a nice note wishing me a great trip. Well done, Globe! And THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

Please let clients know BEFORE a contact lense fitting that you are charging them $ 50 for it. Not after when it’s too late for them to turn it down. There was a substitute optometrist working the day I came in so maybe if I had had the regular optometrist I would have been told this before I was charged.

**update** they did email me after I asked for my prescription to be sent over and said they could possibly make an exchange for the frames, just not the lenses (totally fair). I appreciate the offer so I will see what happens! **
I initially came here based on the proximity to my office and that it took my vision insurance. I heard decent things and needed a new doctor, so I gave them a call.
I scheduled an appointment and was luckily, due to a cancellation, able to get in the next day. I had lost my last pair of glasses and needed to see, stat.
The man working in the front office was very nice and accommodating. Come to find out, the regular doctor was out so I was getting a stand-​in doctor. I wasn’t made aware before my appointment that the doctor was a stand-​in. He was very nice but much older and difficult to understand. I never felt 100% comfortable.
After my exam I went to pick out frames. The woman that I scheduled the appointment with over the phone helped me – she was extremely pleasant and friendly with me as well as helpful. She tried to figure out what style I liked and find frames that fit that style but also fit my face.
It wasn’t until after we went over the cost that I had a miniature heart attack. I am used to buying frames at Costco or Sears where prices are extremely competitive and wasn’t prepared for the $ 300 bill with insurance. In the past, I was usually able to leave Sears or Costco for $ 200 without insurance. But, I chalked it up to the price of shopping locally and paid the bill.
My frames were supposed to arrive within 7 – 10 days but didn’t show up until 2 weeks later. I quickly tried them on during a break at work and thought they were ok. It wasn’t until I took some time looking at them at home that I felt they looked totally different than the ones I tried on in store. They were very heavy and bulky on my face. I looked up the product number and found out they were men’s glasses. Did the woman know she was handing me men’s glasses? I don’t think it would have mattered much if they didn’t look so big, but it was obvious after I got home that they were not suited well for my face.
The first time I called the office (to ask when my frames would arrive), I got the man who was very nice and helpful. When I called after I got my frames to see if I could return or exchange them the woman wasn’t as nice as she was before. I felt a little like I was being talked down to. I understand not getting a full return since lenses have to be cut to match the frames — but I see no reason why you can’t have the frames for another pair. Oh well.
So now, I’m $ 300 in the hole on glasses that don’t look well on me and need to find another pair elsewhere (and probably big box, to get a better price). Overall, the experience was mixed. There were times I felt really taken care of and other times I felt attitude. And, I can’t even comment on the doctor since I didn’t even see her.
In two years when it’s time for a check-​up, I will try them out again so I can actually see the doctor that represents globe optical and I can be more discerning about what I try on frames-​wise. As much as this experience wasn’t the most ideal, I’d like to shop local if I can.

I have had ultra-​thin plastic lens and frames made for me here. Unfortunately, I scratched badly one of the lens, so I went back to Globe Optical.
The Latina sales person was unpleasant to me, talking down to and almost scolding me. Luckily the owner Paul took over, as my prescription is an unusual one, which the first sales person had to repeatedly refer back to the owner.
While he was helping me, I overheard the woman I had just spoke to talking over the phone, in a loud, abrasive tone of voice.
I don’t know if she was behaving this way because she found out that I had a kind of health insurance that she did not respect. But, in any case, I almost walked out of the shop. She was borderline rude – especially her tone of voice.
The good side of things is that Paul the owner of Globe Optical has been invariably kind and professional towards me each time I have come by.
Maybe it goes to show you that minorities do not necessarily treat other minorities with respect. She did treat the next client, a black professional man. with ample respect.
Paul is Caucasian, by the way.

The Dr. was so patient and kind to my son who has autism.
He doesn’t communicate very well, but she coaxed and comforted him,
and I am confident we will get great glasses!

Came here on the recommendation of a co-​worker who has been coming to this office for about 10 years.
Every step of my experience with this office has been pleasant and efficient — making the appointment, the insurance verification, the actual visit, and checking out.
It’s nice to have an eye doc who has a pleasant chairside manner and that is Dr. Lau.
There’s a parking garage in the building where the office located, but there are also 2 parking areas just a half a block away off of 6^th and Olive.
I usually don’t like seeing the optometrist as I don’t need to be reminded about how blind I am, but in this case, I’ll look forward to her.

This place is awesome!
I mostly wear contacts, but the glasses I do have are constantly causing me problems. I should mention that I did not buy my glasses at Globe Optical, but they have still helped me out. The first time I went to G.O., the plastic nose rests on my frames had come off and I needed replacements. The woman who helped me was very nice and fast and only charged me $ 5 for the nose rests and her time.
The second time, my metal frames had gotten so bent out of shape that the screw came off of one side and the lens had fallen out. This time it was a man who helped me and, again, he was very pleasant and quick, yet thorough. It was only $ 2 for that fix and I was on my way.
The next time I decide to spring for a new pair of glasses, I am definitely buying them from Globe Optical. I love that it is one of the few small businesses left in downtown Seattle, and their staff is phenomenal.

I wanted to offer any updated review of this shop. The person I spoke with on the phone and when visiting the shop was very helpful. He explained the options for the lenses for my glasses and the different coatings that could apply. He also indicated the owner would be in contact if there were any delays for my rush order. When he heard I worked for Amazon he offered a 10% discount off my lenses.

Dr. Man-​Yin Lau, O.D. or Dr Lau for short, was probably just on her way into work when I was visiting beautiful Settle, downtown and poked my eye while washing my face in the morning.
The pain was so bad that I wasn’t able to find a Optometrist online, so I called the front desk and they referred me to Globe Optical.
I was in town to speak at a large convention and now, with one eye, I had to have help getting there.
Dr. Man-​Yin Lau immediately ran a few test and eliminated the pain.
It turned out to be an old injury I did early that month, but she assured me my eye would be fine.
While leaving, I noticed brand names of glasses, that I would pay double in California.
I have a rule, if I really like something, sleep on it and if you still want it, get it!
Well, I couldn’t wait that long so I dragged some friends with me to get their input.
Great they like both pairs… But it really felt like a «two for one deal» with all the extra specials they gave me for buying more than one pair.
The glasses are in the mail as a service, but I have no doubt they will be perfect.
BTW: I stabbed my eye the following day and yes, Dr Lau checked me out again to assure me I was okay… and then researched even further to give me solid time lines of when to panic.
My optometrist will wonder why I travel to Seattle to get Eye exams from now on:)
Thx to the staff and Dr Lau for all the help.
Best customer service ever!!!

I used to go elsewhere, was unhappy there, and tried Globe on a friend’s recommendation. I hadn’t ever seen any reviews, and didn’t see these until after I went — but I have to say that the negative reviews here surprise me. I experienced nothing but wonderful personal service. Dr Lau was very kind and, most importantly, thorough. I loved the selection, and the owner personally helped me select my new frames. I have nothing but praise for Globe and will always come back here — -it’s worth the trip from the Eastside to receive this kind of quality service.

I’m giving them 1 star for location. That’s about it. They are rude, they’ll double charge you, they bill your insurance for services not rendered, when you call they’ll act like you’re bugging them and they won’t tell you when your regular doctor is no longer there. I will never be going back…