The doctors and staff at Plaza are great. They are knowledgeable and helpful. They have a great selection of glasses to choose from.

Dr. Buell is awesome and a fabulous trouble-shooter!! I went to two other optometrists who failed to fit me for contacts before she was able to give me a prescription that worked. She's also helped me tweak my glasses prescriptions for my specific needs. After 25+ years of seeing optometrists in Santa Cruz, I haven't had anyone as dedicated to providing individual care as Dr. Buell - I'm sticking with her for the long haul. read more

My husband and I have used Plaza Lane several times and have been very satisfied. We've both ordered 2 pairs each of glasses, they've all arrived promptly and as ordered, no problems. Staff is friendly, clean office, quick welcome and the longest I've ever waited has been perhaps 5 minutes. Highly recommend. read more

Been coming here for years with my whole family and Dr. Brittany Heyano is amazing. I always recommend them to friends that are looking for an optometrist. read more

I had eyes examined, then sent straight to person who "helps" you choose frames. I started to get worried when I realized they were not going to go over different lens materials, and explain why some materials would help vision better than others. Also, little input/help w frame selection. I like it when you can pull frames yourself, not try to see them in back of glare-y glass. After 1st try, both pairs of glasses were useless, and I should have followed instincts to go to another office. Was told a pair of frames would be held for me, then when I returned they were gone. No others. Then someone tried to tell me some other frames were the ones I'd wanted! Nope. This optician, oddly, seems to get some frames in very limited quantities, and they do not hold them. Second try, the lenses were still way, way off, impossible to use. This after I carefully explained to doctor than a "middle section" of first tri-focal lens was very good; only part that was! Picked up 2nd try glasses; the "good" part of lens had vanished. All cloudy, out of focus. Gave up. Another optician in town is excellent, and they quickly re-did my horrible lenses; now I can see. Whew. read more

I've gone here for two years now, and it's always been great. Very helpful staff, nice service, and clean office. Felt very good with all the covid safety protocols, and everyone still wears a mask. I see Dr. Brittany Heyano when I go and she's always super friendly and makes me feel comfortable. She's also patient with me when I'm not sure which lens makes me see better. I've been so pleased with her reviewing my eyes the past two years. The staff at the front desk are also very nice and helpful. Easy to check in and check out. Willing to answer questions and look up different prices for contact lenses and glasses prescriptions so I can use my full eye benefit. Also got a new pair of glasses this last time around. Kit was very kind and helpful in helping me pick out glasses, I was mainly interested in the Ray Ban, Longchamp, and Kate Spade styles (I think I ended up with Kate Spade). Kit was also patient while I tried on like twenty different pairs of glasses. Also greatly appreciated her honesty when I wasn't sure a pair looked that great for my face shape. We ended up finding a lovely brown tortoise shell pair of glasses and I walked out feeling happy with my choice. Thank you Kit for helping me find my perfect glasses! They also call you when you can pick up your prescriptions. I already picked up my contact lenses, which were ready for pick-up in about a day or two. Will get another call when my glasses are ready too! Easy pick up, as I already paid for everything on the first visit. As long as I'm living in Santa Cruz, I'll keep coming back here for my eye appointments, contact lenses, and glasses. They also sell sunglasses and have a wide variety of brands. If I ever lose my Ray Bans, I'd stop here first for a new pair! read more

I was referred to Dr. Jen Buell at Park Lane Optometry by another optometry office due to her expertise in helping patients with specialty (scleral) hard contact lenses. My experience, from the initial call for an appointment, and throughout my very comprehensive eye exam, was exceptional. I was able to get an appointment within 2 days. The staff members were engaging, professional and extremely polite. Dr. Buell was absolutely amazing. She confirmed my need for my lenses and took a personal interest in meeting my desire to have my uniquely fitted lenses in time for an upcoming special event. If you're looking for an exceptional optometrist, I highly recommend Plaza Lane Optometry. read more

Excellent service a few years ago, maybe 5? I will return to see frames again asap! Their selection is the best I've seen downtown, and they are happy to help you, and keep some aside while you decide, and return soon. I know that many of us could use less expensive frame options. But we need good optometrist and staff, and they are here. Very professional, polite, comfortable, skilled, with accurate prescription, most of all! There was some minor issue with price or selection last time that I can not recall. I wanted to look into a few other options at that time, but did not find good options. If I can't recall the small reason, it is worth another try! I think it was mostly that I wanted to try different options and prices. I can not recall anything to write home about, but with 100% accuracy, that is all I need to return. I think now that it was the possibilitiy of more economical frames that gave me pause. But the professional fit and prescription are key in our quality of life. So, I will be back, asap, not on the internet. No problems. Perfect location! Dine on that block, across the street, or take a nice walk to try out your new specs. Thank you Plaza Lane. read more

This is a place to stay away from! I went in for a complete exam and refraction, all that went well, here is what went wrong and this company failed in their duty as a medical provider. The next day after the visit I had a full blown bacterial infection in one eye, this being caused by bacterial substance contamination during the hands on exam, a unfortunate but real possibility during these exams. I called in on that next after the exam after a complete discussion of my condition and answering many question about the condition i was told the Dr would be calling back by the end of the day.........no call that day, or the next day there after. So I called again, this time they informed me there was no record of my prior call or even being a patient. I then talked to the office business manager who told me to go elsewhere that being an emergency room or another optometrist's office. I of course have the paper work verification of my office visit, and am just amazed how unprofessional and medically harmful this derelict company is. read more

I came to Plaza Lane as a brand new patient. The care they take is so apparent and so appreciated; from creating a new patient profile over the phone, to the care in the exam itself, and finally to the friendliness and efficiency of back and front office staff. The technology is so up to date, which made the appointment so efficient; important when you're short on time. They take the time to go over processes, options, and care paths. In fact, the Dr took the time to really talk through some of my unique issues and Put me at such ease when I felt silly bringing them up. I honestly didn't know optometrists ever gave this level of care! I can't thank them enough for a really fantastic experience and providing such thorough, competent, and compassionate care! read more

Dr. Buell at Plaza Lane Optometry provides the personalized care that instills confidence among her patients. In addition to her technical proficiency, she offered concise explanations and took the time to educate me about my options. Along with Dr. Buell, I found the entire staff at Plaza Lane Optometry helpful and accommodating. It's easy to feel overlooked in today's fast paced world. Dr. Buell and Plaza Lane Optometry make sure you don't. read more

Very friendly staff and great selection. Squeezed me in for a late second appointment as I was back in town for a few days, and hadn't been checked for 3-4 years. Left there with new swoofy pair of glass and a lighter wallet! All good, need to see! read more

Horrible experience with owner/manager Dr. Buell. Dr. Buell needs to be reported to the state of California for their ableist privileged ignorance that translated to disability discrimination that ultimately ended in Dr. Buell hanging up on me and refusing to communicate when I was referred to this practice by the CA Department of Rehabilitation and am visually impaired. Dr. Buell knew all of this and still was in such a rush to get off the phone they would not listen nor provide disability-affirming care. read more

I got an exam for prescription glasses with progressive lenses. They took weeks longer than I was told to arrive and were very expensive with all the features we went through. When they did arrive I went to pick them up. I put them on and they handed me the little card with varying sized fonts. I could not read a single line. Not one of them. First the clerk said "you should have paid the seventy-five dollars more for the good progressives" ??? Good progressives? You mean ones that actually work? Plus, they never told me that there was such an option when I placed the order. I said that's ridiculous and I was not informed about such an option. Then they tired to tell me that I did the exam wrong and I should schedule a new one. What? That is supposed be your are of expertise. The clark went on to make all sorts of rude dismissive comments as though it was my fault they made me glasses that I could not read with. Which is kind of the point of eye glasses. read more

What a pleasure to find this place. The staff was so kind, helpful and friendly, so was Dr. Buell. She explained everything clearly and did not try to push me to get glasses I didn't need. I had not been for an eye exam in decades and I am so glad I gave this office my business. I first called the office of Dr. Kuo, I had been there 20 years ago. Not only was the receptionist short with me, they only offered appointments two hours a week, Wednesday from 1;00 to 3:00, for my insurance. It was demeaning. read more

To be fair....I cannot rate their optometry skill set. However they were arrogant and rude. I waited a month for an appointment with Dr Buell. When I arrived they had me wait outside for too long. I was their first patient that day, they had three employees inside and none acknowledged my existence. Ok, I can live with that, but when they "received" me, I was told they changed my appointment to another doctor without informing me. No, I will not recommend this business. read more

I called to make an appointment but did not have my most recent insurance card with me, they refused to schedule the appointment without it- I've been going her for 10 years. This is not the type of interphase I prefer, so it was time to move on. read more

Many recommendations and first time here with Dr Buell. Excellent exam space, proper tests. Very professional and fun experience. Met all my needs, as I had lapsed seeing an eye doctor. All okay. Happy and will return. read more

I am going five stars for Plaza Lane. Dr. Farberow is very very thorough and has been my doctor for many years. He takes his time with you and explains the procedures well. I have a very finicky prescription and he worked with me to get my contacts fitted perfectly. They also give really good customer service in the lenses and frames department. I had some issues with the frames I picked out and they took care of me right away and were very fair about it. They just wanted to make sure I was happy which I am. It's rare that you get this kind of treatment this day and age. I recommend this dr. to my friends and to you too!!! Do it read more

More accurately, I wish my review could be 2.5 stars - it's really better than two, but not quite 3. Love that Plaza Lane offers beautiful, unique frames that I don't see at other optical shops. What keeps me from anything more than admiring glances is that all the frames are locked behind glass cases. If I want to try them on, I need to get someone to open the case (or cases). And if someone else wants to try on frames, the keeper of the gate has to handle both of us while one waits. I'm sorry if your clientele or walk-ins are a shady group, but this Louvre-type of display isn't conducive to shopping for frames. Frame shopping should be fun, unpretentious and without watchful eyes (unless I really need an unbiased opinion). Otherwise, you're a nice little shop. read more

I've been going to Plaza Lane for a few years now and I am always impressed with the service I receive. The front desk receptionists and medical professionals are always extremely accomodating, friendly, and knowledgeable. Everyone always goes the extra mile and makes me feel well cared for. I highly recommend Plaza Lane! read more

Bad experience here, neither the optometrists nor the front end staff seem to value customer loyalty. I have been coming here for 4+ years and recently saw Dr. Bueller who I do NOT recommend. Her prescription was essentially incorrect, and when I asked for a slight extension on a barely expired prescription (only a month before) she refused to extend it although my specialist at an optometrists in Southern California said he would be able to provide contacts easily if I called my optometrist and had her extend it by a month. I guess she decided getting income would be more valuable then helping me get contacts when I had run out. I do not feel valued as a long time client of this office and will be taking my business elsewhere. read more

Omg, all around fantastic place. The ladies who work the front desk are amazing and super friendly. You're greeted right away with a smile. Every step of the process is met with a wonderful staff member. I've now been here a few times...just wonderful and painless read more

I'd echo other reviews posted here that they don't seem very helpful. My wife took my Maui Jim sunglasses in for warranty repair. After keeping them for several days they tell me either I need to come get them and send them in myself or pay them a $70 nonrefundable charge for them to send them in for me. This for a warranty repair ! I've purchased many Maui Jim glasses over the years most MJ dealers will send them in without charge/hassle warranty or no. I even had one replace them with brand new MJ glasses so methinks we won't go there again- other than to pick our MJ's up! read more

I needed some new glasses and did a walk in during the week. In a matter of seconds I was greeted and told someone would come out to show me glasses. Holly helped me out and within ten minutes I found the right glasses. The order came in super quick. The glasses were a bit pricey but I was able to use my Care Credit card. Great customer service and a smooth experience. read more

I was a customer at EyeQ for a brief time. The optometrist talked me into a type of digital imaging that was not a covered benefit. Newer technology? I was ok with the cost but I felt strange about what seemed to me an alarmist approach when describing what could possibly be an indication of an unhealthy liver. (I see my Dr. Regularly and have recently had all of my blood work done with very healthy numbers.) I politely dismissed her. I felt it was an additional charge for an unnecessary diagnostic. The whole place seemed impersonal. The girls at the front desk were talking loudly amongst themselves. Etc... I took my prescription from EyeQ, to Plaza Lane Optometry. The female optometrist was obviously experiencing some personal issues. She seemed tightly wound, irritable and not very helpful. I actually asked her if she was agitated. I felt like she didn't help me and merely was trying to get the order completed. I had a couple questions and she talked to me like I was annoying. On top of that, I have had to come back 4 times as the lab they use has done shoddy work. There was a bevel around the lens' that was rough and obviously unfinished. They've gone back 3 times. I got an automated text yesterday letting me know that my glasses were ready to be picked up. I drove out of my way again only to find out there is a problem with their system. My glasses were not back from the lab yet. I am so angry and will be looking for a more helpful and PROFESSIONAL Optometrist. read more

Great experience, and great staff. Dr. Jennifer Buell was fantastic. She was thorough and polite. (she also has good jokes) From my very first appointment, I felt like the staff truly cared about my experience. They have an excellent glasses selection too. I have been a very happy patient. I will continue to go back. read more

I've been a client and customer of Plaza Lane for many years and have always been very happy with them. Dr. Simmons is just great. He is professional, patient, personable and thorough, evaluating many aspects of eye health and function during my yearly checkups. Plus I just like him as a person. He kind of reminds me of Mr. Rogers. :) I trust that I am in good hands and can just relax. The staff are professional and courteous. I particularly appreciate those that have been there for years and know their work inside and out. Their prices on eyewear and contacts are a bit higher than some other places, but you get great service and honest assessments of what does and doesn't work for you, backed by the assurance that they will take care of you in the event of any problems. I have just dropped in to the office on a few occasions to get my eyewear adjusted and they take care of it right away with a smile. read more

Don't even think about going anywhere else! Hands down the BEST service in the state! The staff is great. They have top of the line testing equipment and their customer service is 10+. My glasses broke today and instead of sending them out for repair, they swapped my lenses into their display model and reordered a replacement. 5 min process. Simply incredible. Love this place! read more

Never got in to see a doc. Called and made an appointment 4 weeks in advance to take my son. Got a call the Friday before I was to take him in requesting a reschedule to his appointment. The only option was to reschedule for an additional 4 week delay. Yeah. No. On the lookout for a different place that doesn't waste my time waiting for an appointment. read more

I have had great experiences with Plaza Lane. I am new to wearing progressive lenses and the staff was very thorough to make sure that I was completely satisfied during the transition. I was very impressed; they not only wanted my to be happy with the glasses -- they said that their goal is for me to love my new glasses (and I do!). Moreover, I found the exams to be professional and through. During the exam, they took plenty of time to listen to my concerns as well as discussing the available options. Recently, I went to Plaza Lane for a concern that I was having with my eyesight that day; they were very quick to respond to the urgency I was feeling. Once again -- I was very impressed and would recommend the services of Plaza Lane. read more

My insurance, _not_ Plaza Lane, eventually decided which specialist I went to. Just to give you an idea how awesome Plaza Lane's doctor was, she spent several focused minutes investigating my claims of having gotten gemstone dust in my eyes. Eventually she said she saw them embedded into my cornea, but so tiny they were visible only at the highest magnification the machine offered (the big chunks most problematic were so far up around the edges of my eye she couldn't possibly have spotted them loose even flipping my lids because they were literally right where the seam between the eyeball and lids happens). My "specialist" from insurance (again, _not_ Plaza Lane's own referral) was a nightmare who talked over me, treated _my_ talking like an inconceivably illegitimate interruption, and spent next to no time looking in my eyes. The contrast couldn't have been starker. Plaza Lane's standard of care, I think, is amply proven in the tangible evidence my patient doctor (*tee-hee*) uncovered by _listening_ to me. She even forewent the awful radioactive dye they usually use to help them see what's there, for me, in my 2nd eye (right) in which she later was, in fact, able to see the crystal bits. _That's_ how accommodating and thorough they were, that even without their normal aid, they still investigated my story to the point of going all the way to the highest magnification available, and _did_ find evidence for what I said. The prick specialist from insurance treated me like a crazy person, and as someone with high sensitivity, dismissal from the medical community is all too common. Plaza Lane proved an oasis from presumptuous condescension. THANK YOU!!!!! P. S. Because I'm unwilling to strip my cornea, and cannot imagine how optometric/ophthamolic options available can help, and especially after that specialist disaster, I opted for no treatment, and instead have doggedly kept at it with an eyedropper and pure water. It's been almost half a year, and still almost daily my eyes are shredded, but thankfully so far always heal within just a few minutes or hours. I have been getting the large bits out here and there, so eventually I should be OK. I'm crossing my fingers my luck holds as far as not accumulating scar tissue or vision loss; my eyes keep them at the margins pretty well to avoid damage to really critical central areas. I think a water pik would be much too forceful, and in any case its water would need to be pure, which for me rules out basically everything besides my own supply anyway. The teensy stuff embedded in my cornea I'm just gonna leave there because it doesn't interfere with my vision noticeably enough to risk tackling. read more

Great level of service, patient detailed exam and not rushed. Once complete the front office technician was super helpful and customer focused. I highly recommend this optometrist office. Very customer oriented from the time I walked in the time I left. read more

The female optometrist was trying to tell me my prescription was way off, when it had been the same for years, so I ended up leaving as I did not like her attitude or her condescending tone when I explained that my contact prescription was, had always been, just fine. The front desk staff is okay at best, they are in their own world much of the time though. I called Eye Q when I saw that they are open on Sundays and got a last minute appointment. It went great and guess what? My prescription is still the same! read more

The eye care is great. Things fell apart for me when I went from exam with prescription in hand looking to simply replace the lens in my already fab frames. I'll spare the details and just share that the service I received wasn't the spectacular versions shared below.. I would never have ordered lenses here, next time I will return back to the store on Cedar st. where I purchased the fab frames My mistake as I await my glasses, now almost a month later. Next time I return to Santa Cruz Optometry on Cedar St, better service, amazing selection quick turn around. read more

Dr. Farberow and his staff were professional, friendly, thorough and informative. It was my first visit and I had none of the unfriendly or stiff feelings that those negative reviews stated. I'm glad I have a great place to help me take care of my eyes and my eyewear! read more

I was candid in my first review, and quick to post it...so I wanted to write with a follow up that was equally quick and honest. It's 24 hours since I first wrote about the poor service I was experiencing at Plaza Lane. In that time, they have redeemed themselves in my eyes. I got a phone call late in the day that I wrote my review. Unlike the first two times, they were good on their promise to call me asap with updated information about the status of my glasses. The woman told me that she'd gotten confirmation that my glasses would be ready by the next day. They called me again today (the next day as promised) and told me my glasses were ready. When I went in to pick them up, she asked me for my credit card. I reminded her that I had already paid, and she told me that they wanted it so that they could give me a credit to reduce the cost of my glasses. I told her this wasn't necessary, and she said that I was correct; it wasn't necessary, but they wanted to do it as an apology for the long wait I had had to put up with. It was a generous credit; about 18% of my cost was returned to me. I didn't make a big stink when I saw them, nor did I ask for a reduced price. So, unless they happend to read Yelp yesterday, I have to believe that they did this on their own volition because they felt it was the right thing to do. That really impresses me. So I wanted to post again to finish the story and update my view of the shop. First experience, being fitted: Excellent service. Middle experience, trying to get my glasses and get info.: Horrible service. Final experience, getting my glasses and a discount: Excellent Service. Overall? I would now consider what happened in the middle to be lack of attention to my situation more than intentional ignoring of my needs. And based on the beginning and end of my experience, I will use them again and would recommend them to others. read more

I recieved caring, professional service here. The staff really work well together and seem to like eachother, which creates a great atmosphere. I recieved patient, professional advice about my particular issues (eye allergies, computer use), and three of the staff consulted about the aethetics of my frame choices. My overall experience couldn't have been better. read more

I had to take ALL 3 of my kids in for an eye exam which could not have been easy for Dr. Buell since they are 7 months, 2.5yrs and 4.5 yrs and we were all in the exam room together. With my kids comes a lot of questions, movement, potty breaks and energy and she was patient with them, relaxed, up-beat, excited and FUN! She knew just how to keep them occupied, engaged in the exam and whipped out all the right tricks and tools at all the right times to do a complete and thorough eye exam. If my kids do eventually end up needing glasses I trust her in finding the correct perscription since they can not easily communicate what they are seeing. Not to mention they seem to have an incredible selection of frames to pick from I would HIGHLY recommend her for anyone that has children. Especially since my 2.5 year old cries every time she is around a doctor. NOT HERE, she was excited and loved Dr. Buell. Forget the 5 star rating systems, I give her 11! Not to mention, based on other reviews I am reading from over a year ago for Plaza Lane Optometry, it seems like Dr. Jen Buell is the perfect fit for an optometrist for their office. We will absolutely be back and I cannot wait for my turn! read more

I am not native to the area as I moved up here to attend school and traveling 4 and a half hours back home to visit my old optometrist is not a valid option. My schedule can be somewhat hectic seeing as I am a full time student who also works during the week and the front desk coordinator did a wonderful job aiding in finding an appointment that worked for me. Upon arrival I did not have to wait long to begin the routine eye exam and pretests that were needed. All of the staff was very helpful. I met with Dr. Buell who is a new practicing optometrist and let me tell you how great it was to have seen her that day. I have been wearing glasses for going on 7 years now and in all the times I have gone in for an eye exam I have never met someone who is so thorough. Once the eye exam was complete I must have spent an entire hour trying on and picking out frames. The staff was very accommodating to my wishy-washy wants. I tend to be extremely picky about the frames I purchase (who wants to go an entire year or more with wearing frames they don't like?). I must have tried on 10 different pairs before I chose the one I liked. Although my prescription did not change much since my last eye exam, but I feel like these are a much better matching to my needs and the quality of service was very top notch. I will recommend Plaza Lane to anyone who happens to need a new pair of glasses or is looking for a new optometrist. read more