December 1, 2025 This location has moved to 2002 Strand. Reported it to Yelp today See photos read more

Texas State Optical - December 2025 - Optometrists Near Me - Galveston, Texas

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Thank you Saith,David,Dr. Brownlee! I have a very difficult prescription that includes prisms. I have gone to numerous Drs. Trying to get the RX correct to no avail. Dr. Brownlee and his most excellent staff took the time to listen to my explanations of the problem and were successful in finding a prescription that worked! Dr. Brownlee even had to pull out old time tech instead of just the gizmos that usually work today to fine tune the prescription. David even took the time to call me a few days later to check on my progress. Thank you so much, all of you. I am your customer for life! read more

In short, TSO on the Strand has very poor leadership and customer service. They don't honor their commitments and are dishonest in their dealings. After having a very negative and disrespectful experience there, I asked some Galveston natives about their insight into the owner (who doesn't deserve the title of doctor/optometrist) and his staff. They told me that the establishment is well known for this type of behavior. The reviews are accurate. There are several other reputable optometrists on the island that have better pricing and far better ethics. If you do try give this business a chance, I highly recommend you record your interactions. Then take some time to consider the interaction before coming back, if you do. I suspect you will learn, like most people who have written these reviews, that the owner places his interests and the interests of his staff (who are emotionally unstable) above the concerns of his customers. read more

Very over priced and the customer is always wrong, not the staff. Be prepared to spend too much money even with excellent eye insurance coverage, for the worst customer service. Not the way to have return customers. read more

After 2 years, I'm finding another eye doctor on the island. Everything is double the cost, poor customer service, and really bad recipients. Avoid. read more

Went in to have an adjustment made to a pair of glasses that I had lenses replaced in a frame that I had purchased there within the past 9 months or so. Rude staff and even the Dr. acted as though he didn't care about my issues at all. I had purchased many frames & lenses over the past but will never give them my business again. read more

I'm very disappointed. I've never been to them before but was recommended by friends. I made an appointment on their website and got a confirmation. I took time off of work to go to the appointment, paid to park, and when I showed up, I was told I didn't have one. They said if I didn't get a phone call then it wasn't booked. How would I know that? They said they couldn't see me for a week so I said never mind and left. It just happened to be my birthday today and when I was driving home, I got a text from them wishing me a happy birthday. They obviously got my info from the appointment I made that they didn't honor. The 2nd star was only because they wished me happy birthday. read more

Texas State Optical - Optometrists Near Me - Galveston, Texas

I LOVED TSO in Galveston. I having been going there for almost if not over a quarter of a century! Dr. KATZ, and his staff was amazing and the culture there was the bomb! Eyeglasses selection and service WAS top notch! BUT that is all PAST. The last few years the service and eyeglasses selection has gone down, but never had the staff been right out rude. Well, this year they were. I ordered yellow frame sunglasses, they were lost in a shipment, no one called me to inform me that they had to be re-ordered. I called after 3 weeks and was told about the lost shipment and that they ordered my lens to come directly there to make the process quicker. I did get a call saying my lens were too thick and they had to ship them out to the lab anyway..again a long wait. I called back, apparently I was misinformed...lab was in Germany not in Houston which what was taking so long. Finally glasses are ready and I go to pick them up..and they are white, not yellow. The inside is yellow but not the outside. It's not something I would have ordered. I know myself, I would not have ordered white, non-cateye, regular glasses for sunglasses...cue the gaslighting...its yellow on the inside, there is no yellow frame that has ever existed...So doubting myself I spend $220.00 on a different pair of glasses...but 3 days later its still really bugging me. I look up the desinger/collection/year...and guess what there is a yellow frame. I call back up there to talk and the staff member says they have never had that one in the store and no one likes yellow...not what was said orginally...before never existed, after I found it, they never had it at the store. Well if I knew it was yellow when I came in, and the item number is only off by one digit..why are you saying I'm wrong. I know what Like and I would picked and White and non-cateye wouldn't be it. She was was extremely rude and said it was not them and I was mistaken. All i wanted was apology and she said no because they didn't do anything wrong it was what I ordered! I said maybe they sent the wrong one to you, and she said No, that again I was wrong. All I asked for was an apology, mistakes happened. I know the frame was yellow from the moment I saw it I told her that's not what I ordered, looked on line found what I did order, and they still say its my error and refuse to admit to an mistake. Lost package, lack of communication, and rude employees! Yeah spending my money elsewhere read more

I am so disappointed in what this office has turned to. I used to come to this office when it was owned by Dr. Katz. Since then I guess it's been sold to Dr. B. Dr. B. himself is so kind, informative and professional, but the receptionist and ladies at the front are down right rude and seem to go out of their way to make me feel in the wrong, stupid and misunderstood every single time I come in or have any type of correspondence with them. They are not helpful in any way and although they say "their just doing their job" they could still do it politely with more of an effort to have decent customer service skills. Unfortunately I will be looking elsewhere for future EyeMed needs as these ladies have successfully made me feel unwelcome time after time. read more

Broke my glasses on Wednesday before Thanksgiving and went to TSO to see if they had anything the lenses would in and to my surprise a very helpful young lady said she thought they could repair mine. They did and I was out in a few minutes. Very good customer service. JY read more

This experience was by far the worst eye exam experience I have had in my life. I have been wearing glasses and contacts for over 50 years, so that is a long time! The ladies at the front desk are very rude, and the customer service is just horrible. I finally had to ask them to just give me the prescription and I am going to find another eye doctor. This was over $200.00 wasted! DO NOT DO IT! read more

I have been going to this TSO for about 20 years. In the past few years, all of the non-doctor staff has become unfriendly, snooty, and passive aggressive. They have also made it very difficult to get ahold of my prescriptions and records-- things that we are all entitled to by state law. I would not recommend going to TSO. In 2020, after getting my contact lens exam, I asked for my new lens prescription so I could order my contacts online. They said they would mail me the info. Never got it. Called again, they said they would send it again. Finally had to call and beg for the info over the phone since I'd been wearing my trial pair of contacts for well over a month-- not a good thing, especially since I was recovering from GPC! Never got either letter; sincerely doubt they sent either of them. Now it's 2021 and time for my yearly exams. Called to make an appointment and was told that, by the way, I will be required to do the $39 Claris exam where they use the fancy camera to take a pic inside your eye instead of using the dilation drops. I asked why I couldn't just have my eyes dilated like I always do and was told that they just decided not to do that anymore. Could I have my exam and just not do the claris? No. This was totally unacceptable to me considering that TSO is very expensive to begin with. I asked for the current costs and was given this info: Eyeglass exam: $99 Contact Lens exam: $180 Claris: $39 Total: $318 For reference, I called another doctor in town and was quoted $120 for a contact lens/eyeglass exam combo. I called TSO back to cancel the appointment I had made. I asked for my "records." Important to note that this was the word I used. They said they would print them out and I could pick them up. I went by today and when I got back to my car, I decided to look them over. Good thing I did because they had given me the record from my 2019 exam. I went back in and said I needed my 2020 records. The woman at the desk was like, "You didn't have a regular exam in 2020." I said yes I did-- I had actually been in several times because of my Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis issue. She proceeded to argue with me that those visits weren't regular exams, they were Contact Lens exams, blah, blah, blah. Regular exam, contact lens exam-- why does that matter? I asked for my RECORDS in general. Under Texas law, I am entitled to a copy of my records. It seems to me that the receptionist knew I was leaving the practice and she thought she would stick it to me by giving me outdated records, then she tried to make excuses when I called her on it. The Claris thing was just the straw that broke the camel's back. I had been unhappy with the administration at TSO for several years. I would not recommend going to TSO. It is expensive, and the non-doctor staff just isn't nice. read more

Ok I have to eat some crow. While this was the most expensive eye exam I ever had I may need to chock that up to my lousy insurance. The Dr refused to give me a contact lense prescription until I tried my new lenses & were fitted properly...had them in one day so far but have to say my vision is sharper. Kudos to the Dr & staff for putting up with my terse comments & actions when I lost my cool a bit over my out of pocket expense...while I still say this was the most expensive exam I ever had the staff is courteous, professional, & the Dr is good....I left my original somewhat scathing review only for those that previously saw it know that I did change my mind... What an absolute ripoff! $167 for an eye exam. Even though they dilate your eyes free as part of the exam because I mentioned diabetes this "free" service cost $60 & funny but this Dr was the first to mention an astigmatism in my life so ok I agreed to try Toric lenses as he was concerned it might help my vision. Not concerned enough to let me know that was an extra charge.I have paid complete out of pocket before & paid less at other places...once my contact lense fitting is complete(only going through with that because supposedly I already paid for everything)my shadow will never darken this establishment's doorstep again. I tried to give the local business some patronage but from now on only big box chains... read more

LIFESAVERS!!! I was in town on vacation and forgot to pack my contacts and they were kind enough to help me out! Now I won't be blind our whole trip! read more

Dr Fikkert is amazing! Their staff is also accommodating and always friendly. The prices are a little steep, but they have the best quality and types of frames I've seen. I want to own every single one of their frames. And yes, along with others, the mid-century modern look of this store is definitely appealing! read more

Recently had a better experience here. I worked with Rachel this time and really appreciated her professionalism.

I like the modern feel of the place when you walk in. I've been in twice now, once for new glasses and once for contacts. They have up to date technologies and provide great service. They have a wide selection of frames to choose from with prices varying. I happened to need new glasses when they were having their buy one get one sale. You could choose any frame you wanted and then you could choose a free pair from a small selection. I decided to splurge on the pair I was paying for since I was getting a second back up pair free. Dr. Katz is a very nice and professional man to work with. He seems very knowledgable and will explain what exactly he is doing and what the test/procedure is for. read more

This place was so helpful! I can't recommend enough. We were here from out of town and I left my contacts at home. I showed up out of the blue and they gave me a week of contacts for free! The lady behind the desk was very friendly and courteous. If I lived in Galveston, this would definitely be my go to optometrist! read more

I've been coming here since grade school and Dr. Brownlee is always awesome! They get me in and out with minimum wait! The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is because the frames are ridiculously expensive. read more

I was going to this optometrist for follow up following cataract surgery. I arrived for my follow up appointment today and was asked by the optometrist why I was there. Confused, I told him that it was a scheduled follow up appointment. He told me that I didn't need a follow up today, even though it was the optometrist who scheduled the appointment. They wasted 2 hours of my time and 90 miles round trip gas. No courtesy phone call when he discovered their scheduling error. If you value your time, there are probably better places to take your eye care needs. read more

This place is 5 STARS!!! The place is very clean, professional, and very friendly. This place is sweeter than stolen honey. I had to make an appointment day of and they made the most effort in fitting me in. (I had called most of the places in Galveston) Ruby went to the moon and back to help me out with figuring out my insurance and what was covered--she is probably the nicest person I have EVER came in contact with in customer service. Seriously. Now just interacting with Ruby made me a loyal customer but Dr. Fikkert made my experience AMAZING. Yea yea I'm getting my eyes checked how amazing can that get but she was very personable and friendly. Most doctors just get the info they need out of you and tell you bare minimum and leave. You feel like your treated like a statistic and not a person. Dr. Fikkert is the OPPOSITE of this. She's very capable of reading her patients--as in she could tell I wanted to know everything like what the machine does, what she's checking, what these pictures of my cornea, reteina, etc mean. And she broke it all down for me. I'm sure she wouldn't spend the time and going into detail if you are the type to not really care, she adjusts her services to the way the client wants their information. I learned so much just from my one visit and I have been going to eye doctors for 20 years. I can't emphasize my appreciation that she took her time to explain to me and answer all my questions. You can tell she loves what she's doing and is enthusiastic when there is a customer she can share all her knowledge with! Their technology is up to date and she took me through different pictures of my eye and explained the health of my eye and these pictures helped make sense of everything! I could not be more happy with an eye doctor than Texas State Optical. I am just some random student who just moved to the island who needed an appointment same day. They made it work for me. Ruby, Dr. Fikkert, and the lady who did my other testing (I didn't get her name but she's the one who did the eye pressure tests, etc.) were ALL very friendly, accommodating, and professional. There is a great team that works here and it definitely made me a loyal customer now. They make the experience pleasant and I recommend this place to everyone. Good job TSO! read more

This is a beautiful store with a great selection of frames. I was in Galveston for a little getaway, and a lense fell out of my prescription readers, and thought TSO could help me. Unfortunately, they have a minimum $25 service fee. I thought that was a bit steep just to pop a lense back in. I did not have them fix my glasses, and doubt if I will use any TSO in the future. read more

Rudest people I ever met. All about getting your money and very much lacking on service. Gone back and forth with them over a prescription for the last year and still do t have contacts . Place went to hell when Katz left read more