I would like to say that Dr. Carter at Paveloff Vision Center is just wonderful. He performed my…read morecataract surgery with the laser system and i have had no issues at all. in fact, my experience with Dr. Carter couldn't have been any better, he was very attentive to all my concerns and explained the procedure in detail on what I would be expecting. The whole surgery took about 20 minutes and my post op consultation went great. The staff at Paveloff Vision Center are very courteous, and helpful. I would recommend Dr. Carter for any eye care that you may need.

Excellent experience; very profesional staff and Dr. Paveloff is a top notch ophthalmologist.read more

Dr. Doug Katsev offers exceptional care. When I called his office recently for an urgent eye…read morecondition, his staff scheduled me for an appointment the next day --which was very helpful! Everyone in his office is attentive, professional and pleasant. Five stars!

I had eyelid surgery performed by Dr. Katsev in December 2025, and unfortunately my experience has…read morebeen very disappointing. Since the procedure, my left eye does not fully close, and I was told that too much skin may have been removed. This has caused ongoing issues with dryness, light sensitivity, and discomfort--especially in the mornings when I often cannot open my eyes for 10-15 minutes due to sensitivity. Time and time and time again he kept telling me it'll get better they will get better. I had shared once that I wish I had never done the surgery and he replied well if I knew this was gonna happen I wouldn't have done it either. Over time, my vision has continued to change, and I have not been able to get stable corrective lenses. I also experience difficulty reading fine print and using a computer, which has impacted my daily life and schoolwork. Despite these ongoing concerns, I repeatedly felt that my symptoms were not taken seriously and was often reassured that things would "get better," but they have not improved. Additionally, I was encouraged to try a different type of lens approach which was another surgery that did not work, and I was charged $350 per eye each time. Being on disability, this has been a significant financial burden, and I do not feel these additional costs were justified given the outcome. This experience has been both physically and emotionally difficult. I am currently seeking corrective care with another doctor in hopes of resolving these issues. I believe patients deserve to feel heard, taken seriously, and fully informed about potential outcomes. Unfortunately, that was not my experience here. So all in all I had to have a fourth surgery to correct the mistake that he had made. Also, I never felt like I was heard or an apology or anything. It was like I didn't care at all about me.

Urban Optics in Santa Barbara is wonderful! I've been happily going there for years because the…read morestaff always engages with warmth and genuinely friendliness. What could have been a simple prescription update and glasses purchase always turns into such a happy and fun experience, thanks to the incredible team. A special shoutout to Anastasiia and Lianna, who went above and beyond to make me feel cute and fashionable in my new specs. Their positive energy is contagious, and you can tell they genuinely love helping people feel their best. The entire Urban Optics team works together well, creating a cheerful environment. I always look forward to my exams and leave very happy. Dr. Zucker is pretty cool too! My prescriptions are always the best. I've tried other places and came right back. Thank you all for your great service year after year!

Update: Urban Optics reached out to me and adjusted my bill for the items I was told my insurance…read morewould cover and processed a $291.40 refund to my card. I appreciate their professionalism in this regard.

Dr. Carter Anderson was awesome. Knowledgeable, personable,…read moreand answered all my questions. 5 stars.

I never received anything back from him…read more Dr. Katsev. I am writing to formally express my ongoing concerns regarding the outcome of my eyelid surgery. Since the procedure, I have continued to experience significant issues with my eyes that have not improved over time, despite being reassured multiple times that they would get better. Most concerning is that my left eye does not fully close, which has led to persistent dryness, irritation, and extreme sensitivity to light--especially in the mornings when I am unable to open my eyes comfortably for extended periods. These symptoms have had a meaningful impact on my daily life. I struggle with basic activities such as reading, using a computer, and even being outdoors in sunlight. Additionally, I have been unable to wear eye makeup, and my vision has continued to fluctuate, making it difficult to obtain stable corrective lenses. While I understand that all medical procedures carry some level of risk, I feel that my concerns have not been fully acknowledged or addressed. Being repeatedly told that my condition would improve, without seeing any real progress over a prolonged period, has been both frustrating and discouraging. Due to the persistence of these issues, I have made the decision to seek evaluation and corrective treatment from another physician. This was not a decision I made lightly, but I feel it is necessary in order to properly address my condition and improve my quality of life. At this point, I am seeking clarity regarding my condition, as well as a plan for how these issues can be properly evaluated and treated moving forward. I would appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and a discussion of possible solutions. Plus every time I had a surgery with you I had to pay $350 each time. This is not fair. I feel like you should be responsible for it. Sincerely, Steffany Knable

His attention to detail is outstanding. Really really like him. He is situated in Santa Barbara…read morebut comes one day every 2 weeks to Solvang.

Doctor Zelko is the best general ophthalmologist you can have. His bedside manner is top notch, he…read morespeaks to his patients at eye level and gives explanations that everyone can understand. I know he has quite a wait for annual eye exams, but here's the thing someone said about him once " You can wait for the best, or go see the rest. " So trust me, he's worth the wait!! PS: if I recall they have a cancellation list ;)

I highly recommend Dr Steven Carter and his experienced staff…read more Recently Dr Carter performed surgery to remove cataracts from my eyes, the procedure was perfect.( I am in my high eighties. ) The day after my procedures my vision was very clear already. Dr Carter is very personable and makes you feel at ease at all the office visits before surgery and after surgery. M. Sands February, 2026

Seems this practice has changed from a full service as it no longer offers either any eye glass…read moreprescriptions or any eyeglass products. Great for deeper analysis of any current and future optical challenges -- just that we had to after all go to LensCrafters and 'repeat' the eye exam process in order to 'get the job done'.

I have had two surgeries at the MacDougall (Cottage) Eye Clinic. The teaming-up of California…read moreRetina Specialists and the MacDougall (surgery center) has resulted in the best possible care for serious eye problems. Indeed, I spent 6-weeks trying to have surgery at the UCLA Jules Stein facility and, truly, Santa Barbara beats them hands-down in every area. Please, don't consider going to UCLA! We have the best right here! The people at MacDougall are skilled, kind, friendly; and it's almost fun to be there. The operating room is stunning and I've never seen an "O.R." so well equipped. (Take a look around before you "go under.") The anesthesiologists are the best I've ever experienced (and I worked in surgery for several years). Dr. Couvillion was my surgeon for both procedures and he's a wizard; I can't say enough about him. However, one "word of caution!" Try to book your procedure early in the day: before 9:00 AM if possible. Why? Well, all procedures tend to get later-and-later. I had eye surgery on December 11 and my check-in time was 11:30 AM. I knew I'd probably be in trouble ... and I was right. I got on the gurney at about 11:30: connected-up (I.V., monitors, tubes, etc.). But then I spent almost 4-hours on the table waiting for my relatively quick procedure. My back, already sore from working out, went into spasm and it's been about a week of my "back being out." Still, I'm not complaining. I know how surgery goes. The eye surgery went perfectly. However, take a suggestion from me and schedule your procedure as early as possible. It was not fun laying on that "slab" like a piece of dead meat. Again, I love the MacDougall Clinic and our brilliant Retina Specialists. Just a word-to-the-wise: book your surgery early!

From the owner: When you require advanced eye care and surgery, the Stewart and Louisa MacDougall Eye Center at…read moreSanta Barbara Cottage Hospital offers the widest range of procedures and services in one of the most sophisticated microsurgical facilities on the West Coast. Our team of ophthalmologists, anesthesiologists, specialized registered nurses, surgical technicians and support staff is dedicated to providing you with excellent, compassionate and individualized care.