I came here by recommendation of a coworker. I called and made an appointment. Upon arrival the two front desk ladies were on the phone and didn't acknowledge that I was even there. I patiently waited and then was told to take a seat. I sat in the waiting room - with no one else - for 22 minutes. The two front desk ladies were pleasant to me, but the one lady took a phone call and at one point used some profanity to describe the customer she had just spoken with. Very unprofessional with someone in the waiting room. The male who did my eye exam was very friendly and made some small talk. They take Covid sanitize procedure pretty seriously. The doctor is very friendly, professional and relatable. He explained every part of the eye exam to me, and what the end results were. I would recommend this place based on the eye doctor - but as far as from customer service I wouldn't come back. BUT I did come back. At my first visit I was given a prescription for computer glasses - I didn't have the time to pick them out that day so I came back a few days later. Again, upon arrival the front desk staff were not very pleasant. I spoke with the lady near the frames and showed her my prescription and mistakenly was hoping for some guidance. Instead she sat at the desk and then eventually walked away. I ended up walking out and going to a different establishment for my frames. read more

Desk girls preoccupied with their own conversations or scrolling than actually helping. Ordered and billed for 90 days of contacts, received only 60 days worth. Eye exam was thorough but the customer service from the front desk isn't worth the hassle. read more

Most thorough eye exam I have ever had and being way over 70, I've had a few. Dr Huff explained everything thoroughly and answered my questions. His staff was friendly, patient and professional. Would highly recommend this eye care center. read more

STAY Away! horrible customer service, didn't try to help resolve my issue. you can get same or better glasses at Walmart. read more

Terrible Front desk is a joke....phone system stinks and waiting area dirty. Lack of care in fitting

Optometry visit was fine, but afterwards, the optician was pushy and recommended progressive lenses without adequately explaining them. Optician wasted my insurance benefit and more than $100 out of pocket on lenses that haven't worked for me from day one. Called them and asked if there was any return possibility or credit since the glasses are trash, and nothing. They want me to buy more glasses from them, out of pocket. I will take my business elsewhere and you should, too. Garbage business with pushy, apathetic sales people who didn't even bother to call me when my glasses came in. read more

The entire family has been coming here since I've been in Alaska. We see Dr. Stralka mostly and he's semi-retired but we request him. Dr. Huff is acquiring the clients and a lady Dr. Becker too. We've never had a reason to switch, lucky me and my youngest daughter, we both have 20/15 vision. They hook her up with contacts, me I just get glasses. Judy gets contacts along with the oldest. I get contacts if I'm going to a warm location like Hawaii so I can snorkel and swim glasses-free. For me I like glasses, I have slightly sharper vision with glasses. The women love contacts and insurance picks up most of the tab anyway for us. They make sure you're fitted well here. He's got some high end prescription ski goggles and sells a lot of top line frames and Maui Jim Sunglasses. They all do a very good job here. read more

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This is by far the best optometry visit I've ever had, and I've had many. Dr. Huff was so thorough and gave me some excellent recommendations. The staff is very professional and the prices are overall comparable. I will absolutely go again next year. read more

Every bad service they lost my rx. For glasses now I have to get a new rx from my eye Dr I sure will not be going there

Came on a Saturday. Seen at my appointment time without delay. I never felt rushed. Everybody was very professional. I enjoyed my visit. Felt like I was in a spa. I received my prescription sunglasses as promised. They have the best Maui Jim frames in all of Alaska. Just a note on Maui Jim lenses...they're not covered by insurance but they're the best. read more

Northern Lights Eye Care - Optometrists Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

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Dr Stralka is one shady-ass doctor. Everyone in the office, the doctor included, is all bubbles and sunshine until you try to get your prescription to purchase glasses elsewhere. Dr. Stralka has high end pricey glasses in his store. So although the exam is reasonably priced, he "gets" you when it's time to buy your glasses, contacts and accessories. He also told us all kinds of wacky stuff to try to force us to buy his pricey products in store. He told us that store-bought products we have used for years were bad for us we should buy what he sells. Furthermore, when we informed the staff that we would like to have the prescription so we could purchase contacts and glasses elsewhere, the demeanor of the staff changed and they refused to give us the script. They told us we would have to return the next day to get the script. WHAT?!?! I've never heard of such a thing. When we returned the next day to pick up the prescription and were told it would not be ready for a week. I'm sorry, we have to wait a week for a piece of paper?!?!? OUTRAGEOUS!!!! Very shady business practices Dr. Stralka. Shame. On. You!!!! Withholding a prescription is against the law. Read below the FTC's rules about what optometrists are required to do. You can also read more at http://business.ftc.gov/documents/bus62-contact-lens-rule-guide-prescribers-and-sellers. Here are the rules, verbatim, Dr. Stralka: " FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION PART 456--OPHTHALMIC PRACTICE RULES-- Sec. 456.2 Separation of examination and dispensing. It is an unfair act or practice for an ophthalmologist or optometrist to: (a) Fail to provide to the patient one copy of the patient's prescription immediately after the eye examination is completed. Provided: An ophthalmologist or optometrist may refuse to give the patient a copy of the patient's prescription until the patient has paid for the eye examination, but only if that ophthalmologist or optometrist would have required immediate payment from that patient had the examination revealed that no ophthalmic goods were required; (b) Condition the availability of an eye examination to any person on a requirement that the patient agree to purchase any ophthalmic goods from the ophthalmologist or optometrist; (c) Charge the patient any fee in addition to the ophthalmologist's or optometrist's examination fee as a condition to releasing the prescription to the patient. Provided: An ophthalmologist or optometrist may charge an additional fee for verifying ophthalmic goods dispensed by another seller when the additional fee is imposed at the time the verification is performed; or (d) Place on the prescription, or require the patient to sign, or deliver to the patient a form or notice waiving or disclaiming the liability or responsibility of the ophthalmologist or optometrist for the accuracy of the eye examination or the accuracy of the ophthalmic goods and services dispensed by another seller. Revised as of January 1, 1999] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 16CFR456.2] [Page 453] " Avoid Dr. Stralka until he cleans up his act! read more

After 3 exams, over 6 months, after 3 trips to Anchorage(from Valdez), my prescription and glasses are still wrong. I have paid over $1000.00 and do not have working glasses. I have called and called. to no avail. I have asked for a refund for the glasses, but have heard nothing back. What about a refund for the obviously incorrect exams? What about a refund for my travel expenses? What about a refund for my time?? read more

NO RATE = MY RATE IS MINUS ZERO I went there to buy my eyeglass on Friday. One of the workers helped me with what I want. I picked the frame and she worked on my paper work. She told me, she will call my insurance on Tuesday (next week) and she will give me a call back. I wait on Tuesday all day, no one call and I called the office, the reception girl said the lady worked on my eyeglass did not work but she will work tomorrow (Wednesday), as soon she will come back she will give me a call. This is Wednesday almost over then I call the office and check again? (Long Story) - VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THEIR SERVICE!! Sorry, I planned to buy my eyeglass, but I cancelled due to their service. read more

The front staff treated me like dirt when I came in to get glasses. Instead of showing human decency, one lady expected me to crutch my way to her instead of bringing me a document. This happened a while back, but the humiliation has festered since then. read more

Got me in very quickly and the place is quite and Clean. Doc super nice . Staff amazing , my Daughter loved the glasses she picked out

My family of six will no longer be returning to Northern Lights Eye Care. About a month ago I called to order my glasses and contacts with the order they had on file, and for two solid weeks I called... and apparently the front desk receptionists were deliberately avoiding my call! We live in a remote village and cannot come in personally, so calls are our only link to businesses like Northern Lights. I called them at least eight times in two weeks about my order, asking them if they had put it in, when I should receive it, how to pay, etc., and each time it went straight to voicemail, even the one telling them that my glasses were broken and had been super glued back together and I needed help urgently. I tried two different numbers and left messages at both, for *two weeks* - almost daily. No one called me back - not once! When my husband called to complain, they answered him on the first ring... which shows that they were indeed "hiding" from my call. For what purpose? I am utterly baffled. When my husband told the receptionist he was unhappy, one of the ladies became angry, rude and disrespectful and told him haughtily it was all *my* fault! Dr. Huff did not return my call to speak about the situation, despite his previous good care as an optometrist, so I assume this is typical business for Northern Lights. I have never experienced anything like this, ever, in my entire life. A "smooth-it-over" lady eventually called me back and put in my order and took my payment, which I went through with because I was desperate (remote village = no eyeglass services) but no one ever apologized, nor did anyone look into what happened, ever. It is astonishing that a business can operate this way in 2022. read more

Let me start by saying that Dr Becker was phenomenal! Very personable, took her time with me, and was caring. My frustration with this clinic is due to the rude front desk staff and my appointment being cancelled and rescheduled 3 times (the last time I had to call and schedule because they just dropped the ball on me) because they didn't have the right contacts in stock for my fitting. This is not an inexpensive clinic, even with vision coverage on my insurance. I would expect more courteous and professional behavior from the front desk - who represent the business, and better planning as far as scheduling appointments appropriately or notifying patients in a timely manner of plans change. I will not be coming back. read more

Never had good service here. Did terrible job on my glasses, no refunds and don't keep their word

I was told after my visit in 2015 that they won't bill secondary insurance but they refused to give me their Tax ID so I could make my own claim with my secondary carrier. The accounting lady was beyond rude and my insurance carrier had to call on my behalf to get the tax ID. Even after I got my secondary claim submitted the woman in billing called me 3 times in the same afternoon to tell me why I was wrong for asking for the Tax ID. I gave them another chance and my visit in 2016 was ok. Dr. Kettler is actually pretty awesome... too bad you have to deal with billing and registration before you get to her. Today I wanted to make a new appointment and they wouldn't even tell me if they had an opening until I gave my DOB, name, and ALL of my insurance info which is a new requirement as of this year... the man actually REFUSED to tell me if there were openings before I went through the effort of reading off the member ID, group #, my info and employer information. I've been a patient for 7 years. Pre-authorization 2 weeks in advance doesn't make sense because my status *could* change before the date of my visit. It seemed needlessly complicated and, once again, the person in the phone was rude and uninterested in helping. I've tried to complain to Dr. Huff via their website in the past and asked to have him call so I could relay my concerns about the staff/policies but I never got a response. I guess he doesn't care how poor their service is. Just don't go there, save yourself the trouble. I regret giving them so many chances in the last 7 years. read more

I would fully recommend this place, I saw Dr. Adam Huff and he was very kind and respectful, I have been to eye doctors in the past that were very condescending and talked down to me, this was not my experience here, my questions were answered, he was good at explaining and was patient. I plan to come again for my future eye appointments read more

So strange. As customers arrive all smiles and polite they are quickly reduced to feeling awkward then offended. I don't understand why the first person you see when you walk in the door behaves as though customers are an annoyance and an interruption to their workday. The exact opposite of the usual personality hired to greet at the door. I'm sure the lenses and frames are fine. They took my insurance so the cost was the same as anywhere. read more

Northern Lights Eye Care - Optometrists Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

Dr. Straka is a superb eye doctor . He has been our eye specialist for over 20 years and he saved my eye sight when i had a retina detachment occur 3 years ago. His staff are top notch and totally friendly. Warning: his services are expensive! $200 for an eye exam with a Rx. His line of glasses are top of the line but a pair will set you back $300 - $400. I hate to say that, while the exam is worth the money, we ask (and you have to ask) for our Rx and take it to Costco. read more

They say they take walk ins but will have you waiting 2 plus hours with a eye emergency and still not seen by a doctor. Front desk staff Nikki and Co worker are extremely rude and have no compassion. I do not recommend this place at all. read more

After making an appointment on their website, which showed numerous appointments available, and filling out an extensive medical/patient form, I was called on the morning of the appointment to 'reschedule'. I questioned why, when the site shows so many appointments available today and tomorrow, why they wanted to reschedule. It turns out that this company 'discriminates' against patients who use Medicaid - allowing appointments within a couple of morning times only on Wednesdays. There is nothing on their site that addresses certain times for Medicaid patients, instead, they find it appropriate to disrespect a new patient in this way. read more

We had a great experience visiting their office for first time. We are new to Anchorage, and while most other eye care offices wouldn't schedule us until July, they took my wife and I next day. Great office, extremely friendly staff, and Dr. Huff gave us both what was probably the most thorough exam either of us had previously experienced. They have a great inventory of frames, and worked with our insurance. Having worn glasses most of my life and visiting many eye doctors/clinics, this was definitely one of my best experiences! read more

Came in to pick up a pair of glasses as I was notified they were ready. First thing I'm greeted with in a loud, rude tone from a woman behind the desk: "You have a mask? You need to leave." WTF. I said I didn't see anything and she said it was on the door. I go to my car and grab one. I know I should have my mask on. I wear one all day at work and I had just gotten off work and raced over here to pick up my sons glasses. I go back in and I said I see your sigh on the door that simply said: Wear a mask. I said you need to change your sign to say: if your not wearing a mask we will refuse you service. She looked at me and squinting her eyes and just stared. I said I'm here to get my sons glasses. She helped me and I left. The problem I had is that she was rude. She was unprofessional as well. Very poor customer service skills Miss Leiloni! I'm a customer. I have been going here for years and I've been self pay for me and my kids contacts, have used my insurance cards and have just overall have experienced poor customer service in multiple occasions and with different staff. This will be my last visit period because guess what? There are eyeglass and contact providers all over this city who still believe in customer service and who are hungry for my business! There is nothing special about this business that is going to keep me here. This is the LAST time I'm dealing with an employee who doesn't know how to talk or treat a client. Good day. read more

Don't go here. The assistant and the doctor couldn't even work the machine so they kept making me do the test over an over hurting my neck and nose still with no result. So what was their answer? Just keep trying it when they are incompetent! So what was the doctors solution? Shine a bright light in my eye for 10 minutes looking for god knows what! hint: if something doesnt work in a few seconds it wont work in an extra hour! Then the doctor kept saying I need a pressure exam and even forced me into one when I repeated i didnt want it. all I wanted was a glasses prescription and they kept pushing all these exams and making me wait for hours. a 30 min exam ended up 2 hours. also the desk girl were unfriendly and dont even look at you like you are annoying them by getting service. find a better eye doctor. read more

Congrats NLEC, lost any chance of future business by robo-calling me during the work day. Blocked and forgotten, hope the new FCC rules kill your robo-calling practices. Extremely unappreciated. read more

I had an eye exam on 9/15/18 and I'm STILL waiting on my glasses today 10/30/18. I've call 6 times and left 3 messages of which none were returned. If I could give this place zero stars I would. I keep getting headaches because I'm straining to see my computer screen everyday! Meanwhile I'm getting ignored. I just want to know where my glasses are. Horrible service.. read more

Exceptional service from the front desk. Friendly atmosphere and great product variety. Highly recommended!

Northern Lights Eye Care has provided me with the worst customer service in my life! I called the office to verify that my insurance would cover 100% of my eye exam and contact lens fitting. They took my insurance information and verified that these services would be 100% covered. I came in for my appointment and had a positive experience until 1 year later! I received a call from a collection agency saying that I had an outstand balance from Northern Lights Eye Care. I was so perplexed because I had received zero communication from them about any discrepancies. I told the lady on the phone that this must be a mistake and I would call Northern Lights Eye Care to resolve the issue. When the person on the phone answered, she said that although the services were pre authorized with my insurance, they did not pay the full amount. I asked how that could be and she said that it was a courtesy for them to even check and that I should know more about my insurance than they should. I then asked why they never called me to settle the issue and they had no answer. They were extremely rude and had no real answers for their negligence. It feels completely unethical for them to operate their business in this manor. Be cautious of their deceptive insurance tactics and make sure you know whom you are doing business with. There are many other far superior and ethically sound optometrists in the area. read more

Used to be good. But all things come to an end. Glad I don't have to go here anymore. Overpriced, and not very helpful if you move.

I literally just created a yelp entry for this business, because it was in dire need of a rave review. I just went to an excellently rated eye doctor in my new city and they were fine...but they really just made me miss my eye doctor from Alaska. No optometry clinic I've been to over my 15 years of wearing glasses and contacts has been able to hold a candle to the knowledge, care, and customer service that I've received at Northern Lights Eye Care. They are just astounding. Dr. Stralka and his partner are both wonderful physicians - the name of his partner escapes me, but it may be because he looks like Niles from Frasier, so I'm not quite sure I ever learned his real name. Really, the resemblance is uncanny. Anyways, the glasses selection is amazing, they're super helpful picking things out but not overwhelming, prices are reasonable and the staff is always prompt, kind, and genuine. They also take a vast amount of difference insurance carriers. Ah, I just love them. I wish they could just follow me around whenever I move. Someday, when I'm the next Oprah or something, I'll be taking care of that right away. read more

Northern Lights Eye Care - Optometrists Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

I went into Northern Lights Eye Care and Wear kind of scared because some reviews are bad, but I had a really great experience. I usually go to Lens Crafters, but I'll never go there again! The front desk were really nice and inviting. The exam was quick and painless! Dr. Stralka did a very good job. He informed me that my astigmatism has gotten better. I never knew I had astigmatism(lens crafters never told me) VSP covered my exam after the copay and got good discounts on my frames and lenses! They don't have a BIG selection of glasses like Lens Crafters, but I did find ones that I liked. The guy that fit my glasses was very informative. He explained the retail prices and the prices I would be paying with my vsp plan. He recommended lenses and different coatings that I should get and since I have a pretty high prescription he recommended getting the edges of my lenses polished. I didn't feel pressured to buy glasses here, but I'm glad I did. I highly recommend coming here! read more

Northern Lights Eye Care - The nice glasses I picked out! - Optometrists Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

Really great!!! Helped me with my first pair of glasses. Getting old!!!

DONT GO TO THIS PLACE! Very rude sales people the worse attitude, they should be doing something else instead of dealing with the public.

Excellent service ! Very prompt in scheduling and Dr. Huff one of the doctors was excellent in providing care. Dr. Huff was caring and took time to address all concerns. Great service ! read more

The best! Woundn't trust my eyes to any place else. Can't believe others are saying different...they caught a genetic eye disease I have that so many others missed & even when I call & express interest in a frame they don't have, they go ahead & order it just so I can try it on-now that's customer service...they have even forgiven prices or given me a break at times & they have a great selection of frames in stock, too. Seriously, this place really is outstanding! read more

Dr. Ashley Kettler is great! She answered all my questions and created an open and caring environment.

Terrible bed side manner that is best described as rude. My wife later called for a copy of her prescription so that she could order more contacts. They wanted her to come back in schedule another appointment that they would happily charge us for before giving her the prescription (it was still a valid prescription as a year had not passed from the time of her original exam). Our insurance was supposed to cover the visit, and we did not realize until contacted by a collection agency almost two years later that we owed any money. We never received a bill, never received a notice from our insurance company (did they even send in a claim?). I called to complain and was told that they had mailed a bill, and they had tried to contact us by phone. They could not explain why they didn't inform us of the bill when my wife had called for her prescription. They couldn't explain how they were able to send us a notice about setting up our next appointment. Before the collection agency and rude treatment connected to the bill we never received, I had simply vowed we would never go back. At this point, I feel it is important to warn other consumers... go anywhere but this place for your vision needs. read more