Doctor took time to understand what I was going through. Asked specific questions and made sure I…read morefelt comfortable answering. Checked over a few things before offering advice and treatment. Wasn't pushy and seemed to know what they were doing. Felt well taken care of during the visit.

I'm REALLY late to the party here, but this is my story…read more Back in late July, 1991, I was at the beach in Santa Cruz where I lived at the time, playing fetch with a stick, with my dog (Queensland Heeler). She was all amped up, like she always was quite frankly, and wouldn't let go of the stick. Like a dummy, I pulled on the stick while telling her to "give", and suddenly the stick broke, while I was pulling on it and she was hanging on. Before I knew what happened, I managed to shove that stick right through my RayBans into my right eye. Those ultimately sunglasses saved my eyeball, but did almost rip my eyelid off, and mangled my cornea as well. My friend immediately drove me to Dominican Hospital. The ER took a quick look and told me to get to Watsonville Hospital asap, where Dr. Hamako was "on call" for eye emergencies.........just that ONE day per week! Talk about God giving me some luck. Some 4 hours of surgery (cosmetic on my eyelid, and 22 stitches in my cornea) and my eyeball was saved by Dr. Hamako. Another 1/16 of an inch of penetration, and I most likely would have lost the eye......those RayBans slowed the stick down just enough. I can't read very well with the eye, but I can see good enough with it, and oddly, in dark situations, nowadays I can see better with it than my good eye...LOL......(it is because the corneal scarring bounces light around inside the eye in daylight or well lit rooms, making everything blurry, etc.) He advised me against corneal transplantation, basically saying the risk wasn't worth the reward, and I am 100% confident in that recommendation. Thanks again Conrad, and I hope you and yours are doing well!

Walking into the clinic, everything looked pretty standard but neat. The check in process was…read moresimple and didn't take long. The person at the desk answered my questions without seeming annoyed which I appreciated. In the back, one of the medical assistants went through the initial steps and made sure I was settled in the exam room. When the doctor came in, they took time to go over some background and asked a mix of general and more focused questions. They had a calm way of talking and didn't jump into assumptions. What I liked was how they explained things clearly but didn't try to oversimplify. The doctor gave a few ideas on what could be happening and explained the next steps without pressuring anything. They also gave some basic advice on what I could try on my own. It felt more like a team effort than being told what to do. I left feeling like I got useful information without being overwhelmed.

I went in today to look for new glasses, the girl in the front desk was very nice. I asked her if I…read morecould look at glasses she said yes can you wait for your turn and I did. The girl who works inside the studio, Kenia ( could be wrong) she help me with my insurance, she helped get out of situation. She was very friendly very helpful very professional. She and the girl front make me want to become patient soon. Thank you.

Ability to talk to a human being to schedule surgery vs getting a text link to an app and leaving…read moremultiple messages on the app asking for someone to call me to schedule my surgery and getting nothing in return!

NOTE: This review is for the optometry department only. My catarac surgery with Dr. Zhou went very…read morewell. My post cataract eyewear purchases with Bay Eye were not good. I dealt with Stephanie Tapia, who fitted me for progressives (I'm very experienced with progressive lenses). When they arrived, the reading segment was barely adequate on the eyeglasses, and non-existent on the sunglasses. I took the sunglasses back, and Stephanie refit them and said she would try to put a rush on them with her contact at the lab. Well, they took 4 weeks (!) to come back in (they will not call you when they come in), though they are useable. I paid out of pocket (no insurance) for these glasses (around $900 each pair pair), and really expected more knowledgeable and courteous help. Neither of these did I receive. It literally took almost 2 months to get adequate eyewear from Bay Eye, and this is after spending $1800 on the eyewear. I recommend Dr. Zhou, certainly, but I would advise folks to avoid the optometry department at Bay Eye. Get your printed prescription from them, and then take it to a proficient and courteous optician else where.

Was very rude towards my family and gave so much attitude. My brother was crying because he was…read morescared and before the doctor entered he looked at another worker and said "ugh wish me luck" and then entered. I thought this was very disrespectful towards us. Another client was also having issues with the front desk lady about misunderstanding appointments and it shows that they are not very welcoming nor professional. It just seems like a reoccurring problem.

We were told by Dr. Gonzalez that my youngest sons vision was not correctable past the age of 5 and…read morea half or 6 years old. At another visit Dr. Gonzalez said the vision is correctable until the age of 10. He gets very annoyed if we ask questions. He will sometimes test my son's vision with glasses and sometimes without glasses. When he tested my sons vision with glasses, I asked if we could test it without the glasses to see how my son's eye was actually improving. He snarked and said that made no sense and that he would never do that....(except he had in the past). We also left my son's glasses with them for what we were told was going to be one week, probably less, so the lenses could be updated. 4 weeks later we still do not have my son's glasses back. Every time I call I'm told it will be there Friday or Wednesday. The Monterey location isn't even open on Wednesday (which I found out when I called to see if my son's glasses were ready). They don't have to do a good job because there is no other pediatric ophthalmologist within a 2-hour radius of us and they know it. They also never call you back or answer the phone. The lab they work with, CSC in Watsonville is extremely rude. If you call to try and get an update on your minor child's glasses, they will tell you it's a HIPPA violation and hang up on you. I'm not sure who is lying and saying my son's glasses will be ready when they're not. It's either the CSC Lab or Gonzalez's staff. If you don't have to go here, don't.

I had an appointment for laser surgery with Dr. Chow. Having read the other reviews, I fully…read moreexpected to spend the whole day in the waiting room. I showed up with a sack lunch, six-pack of PBR, my portable DVD player, season 6 of The Mandelorian, some edibles, and a sleeping bag. Imagine my surprise when I was the only patient in the waiting room. Maybe the stars and planets were aligned just right so every other patient got stuck in traffic. I was in and out in 40 minutes flat (And yes, the procedure was actually completed.) Everyone was expeditious but kind. As far as I know, the laser surgery went well. Not a fun time, but literally over in a blink of an eye. My pupils were super dilated for the rest of the day, but that might have been related to the edibles.

The Professional Attitude in this office from front office personal to the Doctor could use a…read morerefresher course. One would think with the anxiety surrounding this kind of facility would be sensitive to patients apprehension. Did not find this to be evident at this facility particularly.

This practice is really special. The highly qualified staff is both professional and friendly,…read moreloving on our husky over several visits. We feel so strongly that we make the trip from the Central Valley for each appointment and follow-up. We really feel as if we've afforded Jax the very best care (both office visits, surgical, and follow-up). As an aside, their clinic is extremely well appointed. That is, the visit notes/instructions are delivered by email (promptly) and appointment reminders by text message. Thank you!

One of the nicest and kindest staff I have ever encountered. The puppy had an appointment for her…read morevet but her eyes continued to get progressively more gunky and red. I was advised to come here versus waiting another 24 hours. I was able to get an appointment and I was pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome. I received the new client form within seconds of getting off the phone. There an option to have it emailed or sent to your phone. When we arrived the front office staff sat down on the floor, gave treats and lots of love. Everything was done with such care and gently to not freak out my dog. Thorough evaluation was done and I received easy instructions, a follow up appointment and medication. I cannot thank the team enough! I highly recommend coming here.

This physician has been our family doctor for many years. I have never met an expert in so many…read moreareas that is equally compassionate and patient. He demonstrates his expertise in a holistic way: diet, exercise, relationships, medications, surgeries, etc. I think he's brilliant and very human. In addition I am profoundly grateful that he communicates with the whole care team for the patient. For example, if you need cardio care, he coordinates the data and consults with the other physicians and gives you as much time as you need to understand your options and your diagnoses. This is critical when you're at a juncture between several experts and doctors. He's a real mensch.

Dr. Cortes is such a good docter. I recommend Dr. Cortes without hesitation. I have been his…read morepatient for a few years now and I really like him. He really listens, I never feel rushed, I never feel judged, and Dr. Cortes is very friendly and really cute! ( And happily married.) He is always concerned with my health and well-being. Dr. Cortes has always been successful with my diagnosis and treatment, but he avoids pilling on the meds... And he really likes my little dog!! I hope Dr. Cortes stays in Santa Cruz for a long, long time. Thank you, A very appreciative patient.