I started out being nervous, and then I was so calm, the procedure was great…read more Dr Philip Ngai is a great doctor!!

Dr. Ngai is an excellent ophthalmologist and glaucoma specialist. He is knowledgeable,…read moreprofessional, and takes the time to explain everything clearly. The office staff is friendly and efficient, and the entire experience was smooth from start to finish. I highly recommend Dr. Ngai for anyone seeking outstanding eye care.

Beyond grateful for the team at the Berkeley optometry clinic. I was able to get my Scleral lenses…read morecovered by insurance and shipped to my house! I can't begin to explain how easy and pleasant my experience with Allison was. The receptionist was also amazing I wish I would have gotten her name. Big thank you to everyone who made my experience enjoyable Can't wait to finally be able to see again!!

I feel I have to warn other parents about our experience at the UC Berkeley School of Optometry's…read morepediatric clinic. We were referred there after our two‑year‑old had an abnormal result during a routine eye screening. At first, things seemed caring -- the staff was polite -- but we had problems almost immediately. The first optometrist told us she was in the "normal range," but mentioned someone else would need to check her results. A second doctor reviewed the tests, said the same thing (normal), and again insisted another review was necessary. (The first two doctors were in residency) Then a third doctor entered and delivered a completely different diagnosis: claiming our daughter was "extremely" far‑sighted, that one eye was much weaker than the other, and recommended she be given glasses immediately and wear them all day, every day. We followed that advice, bought two pairs of glasses the next day, and endured a painful adjustment process--tears, frustration, confusion. Within one week, her left eye began dramatically turning inward (crossing) while she was wearing the glasses, a change that reversed when they were removed. This was clearly alarming, especially because this had not been a problem before the glasses. I called the clinic to alert them to the problem. Every time, I was told I couldn't speak directly to the doctor -- only through office staff, who would pass messages along. The response relayed to me was that we should continue using the glasses despite the obvious adverse effect. I insisted on alternatives or reassessment, but instead was told the earliest available appointment was months away and that the glasses must stay on. Only after much pressure did the doctor agree to see our daughter in a few weeks, but I couldn't wait that long and demanded that she give me a call. Despite describing the situation and our concern, the doctor stood by her original prescription and told us to keep the glasses on even if it was causing a crossed eye. I told her I wouldn't do that and would seek another opinion. I was forced to trust my instincts and seek a second opinion from a pediatric ophthalmologist. That doctor determined our daughter's vision was well within normal range for her age, and that she did not need glasses. Worse, she confirmed the glasses were causing the eye‑turn. She was astonished the UC Berkeley clinic would allow us to continue the glasses in the face of visible harm. To be on the safe side she scheduled a follow up appointment in six months to ensure our daughter's eyes were not worsening. At a follow‑up, the ophthalmologist declared that our daughter's vision is now better than average, her eye alignment is perfect, and she won't even need to be seen again for three years! Meanwhile, we spent hundreds of dollars, endured relentless stress, and had our child's eye health put at risk by a clinic that persisted with a potentially harmful treatment when there was clear evidence it was making things worse. I strongly advise parents to steer clear of the pediatric optometry department at UC Berkeley, especially for infants and toddlers. If your child's eyes are in doubt, find a qualified pediatric ophthalmologist instead -- someone who will listen to you, follow the evidence, and prioritize your child's safety.

Update due to Dr. Cherry's response below:…read more I do have vision insurance, I would not have been able to have the initial consults and surgery without insurance. I did have the eye exam after the surgery and a prescription was generated, Dr. Cherry even acknowledged that there was a change from my prior prescription. Per the federal law, any eye doctor must provide the patient with a paper copy of any eye glass prescription after the exam and MAY NOT CHARGE for it. A report has already been filed with the FTC as this is fraud on patients.

Had an appointment, but waited 50 min to see the eye doctor and talked to him for 15 minutes and…read morethey still billed my insurance for an amount similar to a full exam. Never again! Not wasting my time or insurance!

Dr. Longar and her staff are amazing! From the front desk to the coordinator (Tess) to seton…read moresurgery center (Lila, anesthesiologist and nurses) all top notch medical providers. I had my cataract surgery and was so happy with the results, my vision improved significantly and colors are brighter. The surgery was minimally invasive and was over in 10 mins! Dr. Longar is definitely top notch in her profession. I am forever grateful to ever who assisted in this procedure. Thank you!

Susan Lungar is the rudest, meanest medical "professional" I ever encountered. First of all, Susan…read morewas over an hour late for our scheduled appointment. Then, the second I walked into the room, without any apologies for her tardiness, Susan immediately went on a rant, screaming at me, denying me health care! Susan wouldn't let me get a word in. This appointment was clearly between her and her computer screen, NOT with the human patient sitting before her. She jumped to many unsubstantiated conclusions before ever meeting me prior to this nightmare of a visit. Susan completely failed to deliver patient centered care. Zero empathy, compassion, or understanding. Susan literally threw a cruel tantrum. It was all about her ego and biases. Never attempting to actually treat or exam me. Once her dismissive behavior became clear, I left immediately. I refused to sit there and allow her to yell at me. Susan completely lacks the ability to behave like an adult, let alone treat her patients like adults, or with dignity and respect. What a shame. Please retire and let young, competent professionals in to care for patients who are attempting to bring business to Farallon. You're clearly not able to keep up with the work load any longer.

I highly recommend Dr. Cohen. He gave me the usual annual eye examination and two prescriptions:…read moreone for normal progressive glasses and one for computer progressives. WOW! I didn't know I needed computer progressives but here I am typing this on a computer I hadn't realized that I couldn't see! For my eyes I prefer to see someone with a lot of experience and so I am very happy to have met Dr. Cohen.

I saw this person twice for a routine annual eye exam, for which my insurance plan said, "no…read morecopay." I was billed and hounded, by whatever billing service they use, for a copay. The first year, I paid it. The second year, after being hounded, I paid it again. Then I decided to challenge it. I thought it had been settled, with no money owed, months ago. Then I got a "money owed" email a couple of days ago. I called the office and a gentleman (Garvin?) finally agreed to take care of it (he told me, contrary to what I had been told, that my plan required a copay because it was a specialist. OK, who can perform an eye exam, other than a "specialist?") I suggested that it might have been a coding matter (coding is what a doctor submits for insurance payment, and patients have no idea what doctors are submitting). I called the physicians' group Brown & Toland. I was told that this doctor put in 2 codes for billing for Dx he never mentioned to me, the patient, in the visit. (The more Dx codes, the more doctors can be paid.) I was shocked. On top of that, this person, out of nowhere, suddenly announced, while I'm in the chair, "I'm a male but I identify as female." I thought he must be making a joke re: news re: trans stuff, so I mustered the courage to say, "there's a lot of that going around." He then said his biggest problem was being in the women's locker room at a gym. I realized he might be serious. That is not appropriate. This "doctor" has issues with (potentially phony billing, and wildly inappropriate patient interaction). I will not be going back to this office.

He was my PCP for a few years at Kaiser Permanente. The problem with a staff-model HMO like Kaiser…read moreis that the healthcare providers also have the role of making coverage decisions. In many respects, he is an excellent physician, but I lost confidence in him when I realized how much his treatment decisions are driven by what they cost Kaiser. I was prescribed a medication for long-term use and after taking it for a few years, I found that newer alternatives to the orginal drug were available that didn't carry as much risk of dangerous side effects. I asked him to change me to the newer med and he declined - saying that the newer med was not "medically necessary." In other words, he made a COVERAGE decision that was not necessarily the best option from a medical standpoint. Another time, we were discussing colon cancer screening and he strongly urged me to have it done. He gave me two alternatives - flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. He urged me to have flexible sigmoidoscopy, which, of course, cost Kaiser less. I insisted on the colonoscopy. When I went to pick up the supplies for the colonoscopy prep, they told me he had rescinded the colonoscopy order and replaced it with an order for flex sig - all without telling me or explaining why he had made the change. In spite of his having rescinded the original, they proceeded with colonoscopy in spite of him. Another COVERAGE decision that was not necessarily in my best interests. Another time, he was treating me for a urinary tract infection and I asked him to use an antibiotic that a urologist at another Kaiser had prescribed for the same condition. He dragged his feet and said that he could get that, but suggested the more common alternative, which cost considerably less that the original drug. All the good things that the other reviewers say about him are true, but when I realized that his treatment decisions are often contaminated by non-medical considerations, I realized he had to go. I'm not the only one who feels this way about him. I know several ex-patients of his who are "ex" for the same reason that I am.

Dr. Q has been my doctor for 8 years. He is a primary care doctor with a background in Infectious…read moreDiseases, which is helpful for treating the many ills that can accompany queerness in San Francisco. Just sayin' and enough said. He is thorough when it comes to his efforts to diagnose patients with whatever they come in for, relying on specialists when necessary; but always follows up with everyone. This is Kaiser, so the typical constraints, policies, and benefits are all applicable - it never feels like they give doctors enough time which is why he might seem rushed. Its not you. Its Kaiser. That being said, I give him 5/5.

After waiting 8 months for an appointment, the patient experience was not ideal. We had to wait for…read morea long time in the office, and we were not informed about the procedures that would be given. We were expected to know ahead of time, somehow. When trying to ask the office about the charges, they were unfriendly and seemed offended we would even ask. Our visit to Dr. Chou's office was below average. We will not return. We will drive however long it takes to see an eye specialist that provides us with a warm and welcoming experience.

My son has been going to Dr Chou since he was 7; He is now almost 19 and at that time it will be…read morehis last visit with her. He's not happy but understands that he needs to move on with an adult eye doctor. We love her so much. Best care for 17 years!

I am so grateful to Dr. Bart for taking care of me during my pregnancy. I developed inflammatory…read morecondition called scleritis. Main treatment for it is anti-inflammatories, which I couldn't take during pregnancy. So treatment was tricky. Dr. Bart was understanding, clever and nuanced. One of the things I loved about her - she explained things clearly and in depth. Front office can come across a little too direct, but I am guessing dealing with peeps all day long isn't easy either.

Would not recommend. Dr. Bart charged me repeatedly for contact fittings each time we tried a new…read morebrand -- which, given that finding the right contact often takes some trial and error, added up fast. She also charged for trial contacts that were marked "not for resale" on the box. In addition to that, most offices will give you five days worth of trial contacts and she only gives you two days and charges $10/day. When a brand wasn't working for me comfort-wise, she couldn't get past the fact that the lens appeared fine on paper, and she had very few alternatives to suggest despite there being many brands available. After getting nowhere, I had to file a formal grievance with my insurance just to transfer my care elsewhere. Disappointing experience from start to finish.

George Tanaka, MD is an excellent eye surgeon…read more I was referred my ophthalmologist in March 2025 for cataracts removal surgery. I had initial appointment with Dr. Tanaka in June. My first eye that needed to be worked was my right eye and scheduled my surgery in August 2025. Everything went smoothly and painlessly. All of Dr. Tanaka's office team at 711 Van Ness Street in San Francisco were professional, courteous and kind. Especially impressive with his clinical team Pearl, Bella, Daniel and front desk team Winnie, Kylie and receptionist! They are a dream team. My 2nd cataracts surgery was on October 8, 2025 and I just completed my post op appointment with Dr. Tanaka were Pearla removed my "pirate patch", assessed my vision and could not been more kind, happy and engaging. Across the board, Dr. Tanaka and his professional team have treated thousands of patients with deep clinical knowledge, expert surgical skills, super bedside manner, wit and humor. As a person who has built, designed and managed hospitals, clinics and medical facilities around the world, Dr. Tanaka is extremely professional and kind. Highly recommend Dr. Tanaka and team with 10" stars if able! Bravo!

Very professional office - runs on time and very experienced help…read more Dr Tanaka offers Light Adjustable Lens surgery which is cutting edge and offers free financing Dr Tanaka is the third surgeon I interviewed and he is superb. Very knowledgeable and very caring Dr. Tanaka's equipment is very up to date Having eye surgery is life changing and having Dr Tanaka as your surgeon will give the results you need

Professional staff and incredible service by a very expert team. Right on time, which is what you…read morewant from a doctor. Highly recommend them for all your eye needs. Also have a wide selection of frames and lenses with a super nice team.

Answer the phone! No matter what time during business hours…read moreno one answers that phone,!