I needed a contact lens eye exam and the staff fit me in same day. This based on the recommendation of Target Optical. Front desk staff was efficient and friendly. Dr. Balgemann is basically a optometrist savant. No problem explaining in excessive detail what had been happening to my eyes since my last exam. We went through the usual "no. 1, or no. 2" then reviewed the scans of my retinas. I got a very thorough explanation go the pros and cons of moving to astigmatism contacts, and how they would feel different and be susceptible to warping at the fringes. I was in and out in about 25 min. $90 paid out of pocket. TLDR; Dr. B was very personable, informative, and efficient. I'd reluctantly recommend him over my optometrist I've seen for years back in CA. read more

I came in yesterday at 10 o'clock in the morning 10 2726 and Brandy was extremely rude to me and told me she did not want to help me. Told me to go see the optometrist. I nearly didn't even bother doing that. I refuse to buy glasses from the retail side. The optometrist was wonderful, but Brandy needs to be let go or severely reprimanded for her behavior in front of other customers. Spoke with the manager today who offered no explanation or apology. She was just as unprofessional as Brandy. read more

DON'T purchase the protective coating!! 3rd set of lenses all within 10 months and last set were supposed to have no coating .. wrong .. these did. 3 times within 2 months they become cloudy to look through. I only use their cleaner and cloth and still end up with what they call scratched surface. I will never use eyemart express again. read more

Waiting times too long.. training staff should be done during non busy time.. Dr. exam good... definitely not enough staff! Be prepared to wait long time but staff very nice once they waited on you read more

I dropped in without an appointment to Eyemart Express in Springfield, Illinois to see about purchasing a pair of prescription sunglasses and regular glasses. The folks who waited on me we very courteous, helpful, and professional. They went overboard in securing all the discounts for which I was eligible. The cost for both pair of glasses was $508. At another large eyeglass place in Springfield, the cost was going to be $1325 for just the glasses. I had my prescription in hand, so the prices stated above did not include a visit with an optometrist at either place. Eyemart Express could not make my glasses on-site due to my prescription. They said it would take about 2 weeks to get them. I was OK with that. However, both pair arrived in just 1 week. When I went to pick them up, the staff was very busy with other customers, but worked me in right away, fitted the glasses, and sent me on my way. I was a happy customer. I can see clearly and purchased great glasses. Good work Eyemart Express. read more

Destinee (lab manager) has the worst customer service around she was a previous employee at another eye place I went too and she was terrible there and now I've switched to eye mart and had to deal with her again. Would give 0 stars just because of her! Do not recommend! Docs great though would definitely recommend him anytime! read more

Dr. Balgemann is easily the best optometrist I've ever seen. He took the time to explain all the elements of my exam in a way that I easily understood, and made me felt heard and understood. The office was clean, it was easy to maintain safe social distance from receptionists and other customers, and the staff were friendly and helpful. read more

This has been the best experience I've had shopping for eyewear. Same day glasses, great prices, friendly staff, and when one of my pairs of glasses didn't feel right they adjusted them on spot. Will be using them in the future read more

Going to miss Dr. Balgemann but after the customer service I received from the office lady there are plenty of other places to do business.

I literally just left the building. The Dr and staff were AMAZING!!! The ladies in the lobby were great!! Down to earth, great conversation. Dr. Balgemann was great!! Very knowledgeable. He let me know every move, every step he was taking while doing my exam. I had an amazing experience! read more

I am a current student at the University of Illinois and was in need of an optometrist here in town to renew my contact lens prescription. I didn't really know where to go, and I basically based my choice on the contact lens exam price (broke college student here, all about saving $$). The store is a smaller place and the doctor's office is in the back of the room. Dr. Michael Balgemann was such a great doctor. The whole time he was very approachable, patient, and really explained the science behind what causes the impairments in eyesight. It was really cool and I feel like I have a way better understanding of how my eyes work. I will definitely be going back to see him the next time I need to visit an eye doctor! I HIGHLY recommend him as an eye doctor. The price is so much lower than almost any other office in town, so that is a major plus. It's a win, win at Eyemart! read more

I love eyemart express. Two pair of glasses very affordable and done in an hour I'll never go anywhere else. Anna Megan were awesome!

Testy female on the phone, very impatient with my questions. Didn't make an appointment, and would probably not even go in.

I was in the Champaign store on Friday Aug 27 2021. The front line employees were very rude. Did not acknowledge me for 20 minutes, did not even look my way. Told everyone who came in to sign in. Not me. So I left. I love the Doctor and his employees but the front employees need to be replaced. Hire some one who are friendly and want to help those people who come in. I needed my broken frame fixed. I left. I will not be back to that store again. read more

I had a great experience today. The doctor was thorough, patient, professional and friendly and the employees handling the eye glasses were friendly. They made sure to clean between patients and both pairs of glasses I ordered were done in less than two hours. Thanks for working so hard. read more

I raced across town to pick up my glasses before closing time of 7 pm. I got there at 3 minutes til 7 and they were long gone, not a person on site, locked up tight. Now will have to make another 25 mile trip to town , not easy at 81 years old. read more

If you want to listen to conversations about pop tarts and hot sauce, or be completely ignored, then this the place for you. The employees gave a perfect example of what horrible customer service looks like. DO NOT waste your time! read more

Helpful staff who give honest opinions. Love my everyday glasses and my transitions. They did a wonderful job!

First of all, let me start by saying if I was giving a rating on the optometrist, this rating would be 5 Stars! Dr Balgemann is the best I have had in my 63 years of wearing glasses! I started in 1958. The first time I went to Dr Balgemann, I explained the problems I had getting glasses that fit my lopsided head and what I thought I needed in the way of glasses. He told me he would see that I got what I needed and the correct prescription for my eyes. After the exam, Dr Balgemann went out to the customer service person and told her what I wanted and how to achieve the proper result. I chose the frames I wanted for 2 pairs of glasses, one for reading and one for distance. She then "fixed" the frames to fit my less than perfect head and marked the center point of my vision in the lenses. In about 2 hours, I had perfect glasses. A FIVE STAR review. This brings us to today. The customer service guy took my prescription card and said he would be right back. He came back with a price of over $200 for a single pair of glasses plus the cost of frames above a certain price without even asking what I wanted in the way of glasses. When I told him I wanted two separate pair of glasses like I was wearing and not a single pair of no line trifocals like he was selling, the guy developed an attitude. It went downhill from there. I did get the glasses I wanted that fit the way I wanted at a price that I was happy with and was told then that my glasses would be ready in about 5 hours. It had never taken over 2 hours in the past. When I asked why so long he told me he was doing me a favor by getting them that soon as the lab was all backed up. This turned out to not be the case as I received a text in less than an hour and a half that the glasses were ready. So in reality my rating is 5 STARS for the doctor and exam and 1 STAR for the service person. read more

Yes 4 years after buying my glasses when the nose pad fell off walked in I was received with a smile piece fixed immediately and glasses cleaned and btw no charge I always want to buy my glasses from here read more

This whole facility is beyond amazing! Took my 87 year old mother, who is in a wheelchair, in for new glasses. They accommodated her every need as she cannot get out of the wheelchair. From the appointment coordinator, to the techs doing the eye testing, to the doctor, to the front office staff taking measurements, to the techs making the glasses, to the checkout process....ALL A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE. A few days later I took my 16 year old granddaughter in for an eye exam, the place was packed due to it being a Saturday, they were short-staffed but you would never have known they were as they were not flustered or rude and I know atleast 1 front office person did not get a lunch. We got her new glasses and will be going back for contacts this weekend. GREAT JOB BY THE WHOLE FACILITY!!!! read more

Horrible experience! Dr. Balgemann was kind, professional and was great to work with. However, the staff at the desk, were anything but professional. The main lady at the desk (the older lady) was not very friendly. I was having issues with my insurance which I know can be a pain. However, she was not willing to go out of her way to check my coverage (I had just gotten new vision insurance and therefore did not have a card yet) until she heard me turn to my daughter and say "We should've went back to Target (Optical)." and now I wish I had. I was given two different contact lens brands to try out due to a change in my prescription after many years. When I went back to order my supply after having trial pairs, I requested the daily wear vs. ones you change every other week. She was uncertain what prescription she was to use to order the lenses and I didn't think to bring the empty boxes. However, I did save them and had my daughter send me a photo she took at home of the sides of both boxes. Both say 180 for the axis number. I ordered a years supply of lenses and picked them up today. When I got them home, I noticed that the left eye says 160, while the right says 180. I called them to see if that was ok or if there had been a mix-up. I was given the run around by this lady. First, she tells me that she ordered exactly what I showed her in the picture. (I still have the pictures that prove they say 180). Then she tells me I was never supposed to have a 180, just 160. So, I say "Well, then did the doctor make a mistake and give me 180 for both eyes on the trial pair I was sent home?" She tells me I was never given 180 for both as I am holding the empty boxes in my hand, looking at them! She also tells me that once they are ordered and picked up, they cant do anything about it. She also tells me that I have to bring them in. I live 30+ minutes away! Bottom line is she messed up and now I am stuck without the correct lenses! She was beyond rude! I will never go back unless Dr. Balgemann gets new staff or a different location. read more

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Dr. Balgemann is a gifted professional. He is by far the best eye doctor I have ever had. He really knows his stuff. We've been seeing him for years. HE gets 5 stars. His office staff used to be great. But now his office staff are Eyemart employees, and they suck. They got rid of my medical file, and tried to tell me that I hadn't been there in over 4 years--so untrue. I recently had a very frustrating conversation with the older woman when I tried to order my daughter's new contacts. It took a second phone call with the doctor to get her prescription info straightened out--not his fault. I see him, but I refuse to buy ever by my eyeglasses from Eyemart again. I was quoted one price, and then after they made my glasses charged a higher price. I refused to buy them. So instead of giving them to me for the price I was TOLD they now how had a pair of purple tinted lenses that were cut very small and had a really unusual prescription. They wasted their employee's time to make them, and probably had throw away the lenses--this was better than selling them to me for the price their employee told me they would cost? I went to All About Eyes and got glasses from them--had a much better experience. So, see Dr. B!!! But buy your glasses someplace else. read more

Dr. Balgemann was awesome!! I have had glasses for so many years, but he was the first doctor to truly take the time to explain everything. The appointment rocked!! And then working with Bethany to find my new pair was fun. I was treated warmly and with humor. Because some of the frames I picked out were funny and certainly not made for me, and Bethany laughed with me and then offered so many better choices. Looking forward to my new glasses and telling all my friends and coworkers what a great place and great people are here! read more

I am fairly new to the Champaign/Urbana area. I had my eyes examined by my ophthalmologist who provided me with a prescription. I shopped around for pricing for frames and lenses (about 3 separate offices). Boy was I happy I found Eyemart Express!. The prices were unbelievable and the customer support and attention was GREAT! You can't go wrong here! read more