Dr. John D. Hofbauer did such an amazing job on my Lasix surgery. I have always been scared to go in for Lasix surgery although I've always needed it. I've had pretty poor eyesight since I was an adolescent. Dr. hofbauer made me feel so safe and his team was incredible and amazing they were also fast and very sufficient. My surgery was done quick and they followed up with me immediately. Shelia and the rest of the staff gave me very clear instructions and have been such a joy to work with! If you are thinking about Lasik surgery or need an amazing ophthalmologist look nowhere else but Dr. John Houfbauer. There is nothing like being able to wake up and see perfectly even before when I would wear my contacts or glasses I was never able to see as clear as I could see now with zero contacts or glasses! I am so happy with my intra-lasik results and recommend this to anyone. This procedure was overall painless quick and the results were absolutely incredible!! Instant results. thank you again to everybody that works with Dr. John hofbauer. read more

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What can I say? He is simply one of the BEST ophthalmologists in Los Angeles. When my mother could no longer see well she made an appointment and saw Dr. Hofbauer, who also works with his wife, Dr. Laura Fox. You walk in and enter a large office, with many employees working behind the desk. Yes, there is a nominal wait, however, I have never found myself waiting for an excessively long period of time and I've been here a handful of times. You have to understand that many doctors refer to Dr. Hofbauer and Dr. Fox so this is a bustling practice. If you want to see good practitioners in any field you probably need to wait a bit, but that is in no way a representation on the quality of the doctor. He told my mom she needed cataract surgery and the office promptly scheduled her at a nearby outpatient surgery center. An hour later she was back to new, no pain, blood or gore! She now sees him once a year or as needed for routine eye exams. I've heard a lot of bad cataract surgery stories from family members and Dr. Hofbauer is truly one of the best! Pro tip: they have a mini eyeglass boutique inside the office and you can browse and ask questions from the very friendly girl who works here. read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Hofbauer for years until now. He is a good doctor but they have apparently created a new policy that is totally ridiculous and not at all patient minded. I got the call from them to remind me its time to make my yearly appointment to get my eyes checked and my contact refilled. I got this call on December 23. I called back on December 27, and was told that the next available appointment day was in March. I told the woman on the phone no problem, but that I would need some more contact before then since I had about two weeks supply left. That is when she told me of the new policy, that since it would be over a year by the time I got in in March that she could not give me any more contacts at all until I came in. I said so what I am suppose to do since I would be happy to come in sooner but you don't have anything. She got a bit pissy and just said that's the policy and so you will just have to wait. I said but I will be blind and can not function without the contact and she said, sorry that't the policy. She then began to tell me that it was my fault since I should have called sooner! I told her I just got their message a few days before and she said sorry that's just our policy. She also stated that I had missed an appointment in November, that I never even had!!! If I did, why did it get the reminder call to set one up after all. I asked to speak to someone else and she said there was nobody else and that was that. I told her I would be finding a new doctor and she said fine. I hope Dr. Hofbauer see's this as she would not allow me to talk to him or anyone else. Terrible customer service for a long time patient. I found another doctor here on yelp with great reviews and see him next week. read more

I came in for a scratched cornea and saw Dr. Hofbauer among some other docs in the practice and they were all great. They were also patient with my young son, I appreciated that too. Thank you! read more

I definitely did my research on this one! I went to four different opthomologists before seeing Dr. Hofbauer who came highly recommended for Refractive Lens Exchange Surgery. This is basically cataract surgery but for people who don't yet have cataracts but just want to say goodbye to their glasses. Dr. Hofbauer was amazing! He has a quiet calm confidence about him that just puts you at ease. He is an excellent surgeon, and my results were better than I expected. I was able to throw my glasses and contacts away, and my vision is now 20/20. I'm so happy I chose Dr. Hofbauer to do my surgery. I have found the office staff to always be attentive, professional and courteous. Lisa, the surgery coordinator, is well organized and has always either taken my calls or phoned me right back with my answers. On one occasion I dealt with Miriam, the office manager, who was beyond accomodating when dealing with challenges or changes that come up. She is approachable, competent, and empathetic. This office gets 5 stars and Dr. Hofbauer will be my eye doctor for life! read more

Not only does Dr. Hofbauer have a serious hand tremor, he has a nasty attitude. When questioned about the lenses, he snapped: "I know what I'm doing," and flounced out on his elevated shoes. He gave me a different lens from the one I requested because he thought he knew better and my vision is now worse than before the surgery. I also have recurring eye infections and pressure in one eye that no-one can fix. Entrust your vision to this man at your own risk. read more

The greatest eye Doctor anywhere. Huge fan of Dr. Hofbauer. Got Lasik done by him years. Eyes are still great. Wouldnt go anywhere else.

Dr. Hofbauer was very slow and unprofessional. After years of optometrist and ophthalmologist, my suggestion is find a better Dr. with compassion and newer equipment that will quickly evaluate your visual needs. read more

Dr Hofbuear is great. I've seen a half dozen opthamologist in my life. So, believe me when I tell you they're not all the same; and when it comes to eye surgeons this is even more true! Dr Hofbuear put me at ease on the myths and truths about corrective eye surgery. After getting a consultation, I decided that when I do decide to get my procedure. It will be with Dr. Hofbuear. (I am always very happy about the way i am greeted by the nurses and office staff. ) read more

Many years ago (2005) I became allergic to my contacts so it was glasses or LASIK. I was online doing all my own "research"- The WORST thing you can do is Google stories/pictures - you'll hear/see the worst of the worst (I did and it made me extremely nervous). Especially stories of surgeries using the "blade" - the microkeratome blade. A strange thing was there were MANY discount places all over SoCal, but WHY do I want a discount for my eyes? Screw it. I'll pay full price, just don't screw up! I met someone that referred Dr. Hofbauer and was on the waiting list so I made my own appointment and got on a short list- I think I was in within 2 weeks, it was so long ago. I elected to do both eyes at once. $5k total. BEST $5000 I EVER SPENT. In the old days everyone got the same laser treatment and depending on how bad your vision was you'd have to go in for "enhancements"- basically additional treatments. My surgery used IntraLase: --from their website-- "Computers/software are used to make an individual blueprint of your eyes; this blueprint is used to drive your laser correction and is what gives you a truly customized result You'll be given numbing drops so you won't feel pain A laser is used to make a thin flap in your cornea which enables Dr. Hofbauer to make the LASIK correction A second laser is used to make the correction to your cornea, based on your unique vision/eye characteristics This correction is completely computer driven It's safe, fast and virtually painless After a short recovery period, you will be able to experience great vision without glasses or contacts"..... Anyway, everything went PERFECT. I have had BETTER than 20/20 for years now. Easily 20/10. Just ONE surgery. I always brag to friends I have hawk vision. What's funny is how quickly you forget what life was like wearing glasses from bed to the bathroom, then contacts all day, then reverse. (glasses since 4th grade, contacts since 7th). The next day? I went in for a follow up appointment with him and it was his birthday! I thought that was cool for him to come in. I wish I remember what calendar day that is... Thanks Dr. Hofbauer! Your surgery went perfect and literally changed my life. I recommend you to everyone that asks. read more

Been seeing, pun intended, JDH for about 25 years now. In my experience, and I have lots of it, he is the most professional, attentive and available MD I see. His front office staff can be indifferent or they can be perfect at times. So what else is new,?C'est la vie. I did have an annoying experience with the optometry store in the office. However, don't find that important enough to blame Dr. H. In my view you will not find a better more caring MD in LA. read more

I cannot recommend Dr Hofbauer highly enough. I was having a great deal of difficulty with my vision and was losing my ability to function on a day-to-day basis. Dr Hofbauer treated me in a friendly and courteous manner, diagnosed my problem as cataracts and after a remarkably short and relatively painless surgery, I can see and drive again. He called and followed up in a most professional manner. He and his office staff were terrific Thank God for Dr Hofbauer - he is a true healer. DL read more

Hopefully you're not picking your eye doctor off Yelp, but just in case, this office is the worst. Doctors are always out of office for days/weeks - all three of them at the same time, and reception is impatient and unhelpful. Have been back three times for the same problem with no solution and no relief. Can't get a call back from the doctor and front desk is completely useless. If you want to be taken care of on any level, this is not the place. read more

THIS IS STRICTLY ABOUT THE OFFICE AND NOT THE DOCTORS SKILLS;The office wasn't even packed on the day we went and we still waited over an hour to see the doctor. When I asked for an upset they were rude and said the room takes time to set up, unless you're preparing for surgery I don't know why setting up a room would take so long. Just be prepared to spend a good chunk of your day there, if you got the time by all means but if you work and have a normal job like most of us, maybe try a place that values your time. read more

Dr. Hofbauer has been my doctor for 25 plus years. Literally seeing me through problematic contact lens issues and finally Lasik. I have always found Dr. Hobauer personally, to be attentive, polite and kind. He and his partner and wife, Dr. Fox, do run a busy, successful practice. (Good for them!) but I have no complaints about their office staff and office environment. Sometimes I've waited too long but this happens in most doctors' offices where they are being attentive to and not rushing the patient who is right in front of them. As for misinformed front office staff, I agree with the former post, it's maddening. I have found that writing a letter, to the doctor and making it "personal" had elicited desired results. Lastly my father, who isn't in Los Angeles any longer. was a patient of Dr. Fox and always was complimentary of her warmth and professionalism Thanks Dr. Hofbauer! read more

I had cataract operations on both eyes as did my twin brother. 4 eyes, perfect results. Dr. Hofbauer uses the most modern equipment. He uses eye drops for anesthesia, no needle behind the eye. So the patient does have to hold very still. I was back to work the next day with a wonderful improvement in color vision and acuity. Same results for my brother. He does have an "assembly line" practice---he did six operations the day he did my first one. And his consultations are fast too. Andrew Smyth read more

Very professional and caring practice. Sheila in the office is particularly helpful with patients and detailed oriented. Prior to trying a product with the patients, she does thorough research and makes rigorous tests to assure their safety and comfort. Makes me feel good knowing people out there care so much about patients. read more

Front desk reception staff are rude and not helpful AT ALL. I don't think they know what customer service actually is. I came to pick up contact lenses i had ordered the week prior and had let them know I'd be picking them up today. Every single time I come to pick up contacts they can't find them and it takes 10-15 minutes for them to locate them. I asked what I could do to help speed up the pick-up process, like calling ahead, and I was flatly told that they were very busy at the moment (there were 2 people waiting in the waiting room and every receptionist was sitting at their desk). There is absolutely no sense of urgency. I had to ask to have someone help the guy who was looking for my contacts. They don't communicate or talk to you at all. I stood there like an idiot for 15 min with no idea what was going on. All they had to do what say sorry and that they were going to find them but no one would even talk to me. read more

I recently had a multi-focal IOL implanted to correct a cataract in my right eye. Dr. Hofbauer performed the procedure in September and the results are even better than I expected. I now have 20/15 vision and no longer wear glasses for reading or distance. He is one of the best in the business and his reputation precedes him. I highly recommend him as an opthalmic surgeon and his practice overall as a great patient experience. read more

WORST EXPERIENCE! RUDE STAFF AND 1.5 HOUR WAIT!! RUNNNN!!! After waiting an hour and 15 minutes I did not so much as SEE the doctor. When I told his staff that I was waiting an hour and 15, they're response to me was "THERE'S THE DOOR!" Needless to say, I left... without anything to show for my now one and a half hour wait! NEVER AGAIN!!! read more

Always busy so you know they must be good. I do wish there wasn't such a long wait but I've seen worse at other places and the staff does seem to care. Free parking just up the street helps too. read more

i needed an eye doctor and this one came as a referral. i walked in and the waiting room was so packed, there was nowhere to sit. my appointment was at 9:30 and i didn't see the actual doctor until 11. and when he did come in, he was cold and i felt super rushed. i was brought in by a very sweet lady who checked my vision and then told me i needed to see an optometrist first before the opthalmologist. people were getting very angry because they were waiting so long. it was a very tense environment and the front office staff wasn't super friendly. the optometrist was very sweet and the nurses who brought me back were very sweet, as was the lady who did the glasses, which is why i am giving 2 stars instead of 1. that being said, i will not be going back read more

I have a very esoteric corneal disease that has casued me to have three corneal transplants over 40+ years, and to wear special lenses on ly made in Boston. Becasuse of this, I go to all the best conreal specialists. The last surgery was very difficult, and many surgeons questioned whether we should even try. I was referred to Dr. Hofbauer, who, I was told, had the best surgical hands around. He did what he admitted was the toughest surgery he'd ever done of that type. The results were wonderful. He is also very attentive and personalble, and his office staff is quite nce and efficient. Wait times are reasonable. He co - owns his own surgical center down the street, and the care there is superb and personalized. I would recommend him to anyone, especially if you have a corneal problem. read more

I was having a hard time with driving and was diagnosed with a cataract by Dr Hofbauer. He explained the options and we planned surgery. He was informative and helpful prior to surgery and the operation went vey well. My vision has improved remarkably and I thank Dr Hofbauer for his professional skills and human touch. He called and followed up with me and was very caring and concerned during my reocvery. I am most satisfied with the end result. I cannot recommend Dr Hofbauer highly enough. read more

I had LASIK done here about a month ago after flip flopping back and forth about it for two years. During the whole drawn out process, the service was stellar and I have since personally recommended a friend to have her procedure done with Dr. Hofbauer. He and his wife make a wonderful team and run a lovely office. It's sad that one person's truly out of the ordinary experience may discourage people from coming here. Really nice people and also most importantly, supremely skilled. read more

Sheila mans the front desk and I found her to be oddly rude, unhelpful, and difficult to communicate with. I visited yesterday, 1/17/18, to schedule an eye exam and Sheila was, unfortunately, my point of contact. I asked if I might have a few sample contact lenses to tide me over until the appointment date (I wear disposable daily contact lenses and had just a few remaining), but was told it wasn't possible. I called today, 1/18/18 after realizing the appointment date on my reminder card was a full week later than I expected (I probably misunderstood her) to see if anything earlier could be scheduled. A woman answered and said that no, there wasn't an earlier appointment time, but that I might stop by to get a few sample contacts! I explained that Sheila had indicated that this wasn't possible for some reason and was redirected to her again at that point. Sheila seemed annoyed and explained via phone that the only issue was that she didn't know my prescription (wish she had mentioned this when I first asked!). That's easily fixed, as I can provide details on what I'm currently wearing and offered to bring in the packaging. She then became exasperated for no reason I could discern and began addressing me in an increasingly condescending and unprofessional manner. Bewildered rather than offended by her strange affect, I calmly asked that she cancel my appointment as we were having unnecessary difficulty communicating and that I would go elsewhere. She proceeded to grunt derisively and hang up on me! Perhaps Sheila was just having a couple of bad days, but "Eek! Methinks not." certainly describes my experience with her and I suspect I'm far from alone in that. read more

I am sure they are fine clinicians BUT THEIR OFFICE STAFF IS AWFUL!!!I waited over an hour in the big waiting room, then moved to a back chair , waited there 20 minutes. Ihad to use the ladies room, and evidently they couldnt find the key so i nstead of invitingme to use the staff room, they told me to find another office down the hall and ask them for the key!!! After one hour and 20 minutes seeing not doctor for exam or optometrist for refraction, I told them I was leaving they had no concern and no apology. I walked out and would not go back. I waited 6 weeks for this routine appointment. BTW I am a physician, and I would NEVER treat a patient the way they treated me. If you are running that late, have the courtesy to advise the patients and allow them to adjust their schedule as well if it can be done. I will find someone less busy and with a more appropriate front office staff. read more