Visionary Eye Care Professionals

I needed a quick eye exam after an unfortunate business trip where my purse was stolen. Visionary is in the loop, close to my office and it seemed like the best option. I had «cheaped out» on my previous prescription by going to Visionworks and then getting Warby Parker frames. This exam was a completely different experience. Dr. Warner immediately pointed out something pretty serious about my vision that the doc at the other place didn’t notice last year. It was the difference between seeing perfectly when they put those goofy test glasses on and the end, and still feeling like something was wrong – which is what I wondered last year and then convinced myself that I just didn’t know better. Don’t be swayed: it’s WORTH it to pay for a real eye exam, not just getting run through the mill in 15 mins. Sure, it seems like they don’t have a lot of frames here. When they offered to walk me though I thought I would be polite and then just take the script. But Jamar is a genius at matching your face to glasses (and I’m picky, really). I did love the style of my Warby’s but they were heavy. When I tried on the frames he recommended I was shocked – so light! All told I didn’t expect to spend as much but I don’t regret that I did. It was a friendly, courteous experience with professionals who care deeply about their word of mouth reputation. But don’t take my word for it, see for yourself! Thank you Dr. Warner and Jamar!

I have never had an appointment with the doctor’s there so I cannot say how good/​bad they are, but they had a very limited selection of frames which were pricey and there was dust all over the place where the frames are displayed.

They’re just okay. I’m not sure if all these praises are written by paid writers.
I went there because of this amazing review on Unilocal.I get that they’re nice and friendly, but aren’t all Optometrists? I have a problem with scheduling my appointment. My doc gave me 2 weeks worth of contacts and told me to come back next week. So receptionist said that he will schedule me next week, but, I found out later that I was scheduled a month later. That’s so inconvenient that I have to reschedule my appointment back and forth in my busy schedule!!! Also, they’re expensive. I have a pretty good insurance, but I had to pay $ 100 for exam alone.
I’ve never paid for exam with my insurance at any where else. I’m not sure what are the charges. The receptionist said that he will send me the itemized list to my email, but, I didn’t get my receipt. Next year, I’m going somewhere else that is affordable and also, won’t take up so much time.

I love Visionary. They have friendly staff, great prices (esp with a VSP plan), and a pretty awesome selection of frames. Even when I went to contacts, Dr. Johnson helped me find solution and a toric/​non-​toric set (Ciba AirOptix) that didn’t irritate my eyes, unlike my two previous attempts at contacts.
I also like the fact that they’re local and not some giant chain looking to milk you and your insurance plan for every dime. So give them a try — I bet you’ll be happy you did!

I love this place. They’re friendly and efficient, and treated me like a patient and returning customer (which I plan to be). I’ve been to some places where they examine your eyes, determine your prescription, order the contacts, and set you on your way. But at this place they give you a trial pair, let you try them for a week, and adjust if need be.

Terrible customer service! Entitled inexperienced unfriendly front desk staff that is hard and fast and not very accommodating to their clients. Possibly the worst I’ve ever encountered.
— Originally I had found Visionary Eye Care on the web via some great reviews. I went there once last year and was very happy with my exam & service in the purchase of 2 pairs of glasses.
— After running out of my daily wear lens I called to get an appointment. They happened to fit me in the same day for an open appointment at the end of the evening. 4pm central. I work in River North and the appointment is in the Loop. As I was already 4 minutes last I called to say I would there shortly but more specifically in under 10 mins. I basically was told that I had to reschedule my appointment no questions asked. I explained that I had a end of the day last, same day appointment and was running a tad late. Apparently they are on a tight schedule w/​their end of the day appointments and regardless of the effort you made to leave work early they don’t care.
— Incredibly disappointed w/​the lack of professionalism and customer service. Very disheartening.

The doctors are fine, even decent, but the front desk staff are nightmarish. They fail to notify you about dates and deadlines, and then act as if it is your fault for not knowing about them. Unfortunately, you mostly deal with the front desk folks.

The doctor I have seen there was nice and helpful. Limited selection of frames though. Be advised they have a strict policy on if you are 10 mins late, they will cancel and make you reschedule. No heads up call either.

I had a pleasant experience getting new glasses and contact lenses from Dr. Warner. The glasses selection is a little small but includes the 141 brand, which is like Toms but for glasses. The location is close to my office and my appointments were all quick and painless. Dr. Warner was kind enough to spare me any kind of lecture about the use of expired contact lenses, 5 year lapses between eye exams, sleeping with my contacts in for weeks at a time, etc.

Great place in the loop! I’ve been for a recurring issue and used medical insurance, but also for my yearly eye exam recently with an order of contacts.
Dr. Ciszek is great, very friendly and pretty laid back. They have really modern equipment and do a thorough check for whatever eye issue you are having or being seen for. Overall, I highly recommend. Efficient service and friendly staff!

This place was excellent from start to finish.
They responded quickly to my intiial email and suggested appointment times that worked for me.
I had an appointment with Dr. Johnson. She was very friendly and answered all of the questions I had about contacts and LASIK surgery. I actually returned to do my follow-​up dilation on the wrong day, but she did it anyway!
Megan (I think that was her name) was extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the frames they had in the store. Their selection of frames was good, but on the expensive side, and the selection for women was broader than the selection for men.
All in all, I highly recommend this place if you work in the Loop and are looking for a new pair of glasses.

My wife and I work in the building. Although our optometrist is elsewhere, this place rocks. On two occasions, they were able to help out with emergency contact situations. Recently, I had my polarized sunglasses lenses replaced and the staff-​Megan and Ben were extremely helpful. My hat is off to them, the next pair of glasses I buy will be from this office.

This place is great! I had an appointment with Dr. Jamie Johnson for a full eye exam, new contacts, and new glasses. Dr. Johnson was very friendly and knowledgeable. My appointment occurred right on time – no waiting.
The front office staff, Megan and Ben, were also incredibly friendly and helpful. They helped me figure out which parts of the exam to file with my insurance company, gave me advice on picking out frames, and offered me lots of free samples to take home.
This will definitely be my go-​to eye care facility from now on. Highly recommend!

Ten years after getting lasik (and my last eye exam), I found my eyes were no longer quite what they were, visual acuity-​wise. After months of squinting at road signs and PowerPoint presentations, I resolved to get my eyes looked at. I chose Visionary Eye Care for the location, and because it looked like they had some nice eyeglass frames and I was pretty sure I was going to be walking out of there with new glasses.
My exam was conducted by Dr. Johnson. Soft-​spoken, very thorough and funny in a quiet way, she did a terrific job. She mapped my cornea and showed me a picture of my optic nerve, which looked rather like one of those photos you see in science books of unhatched embryos still inside the egg. While waiting for my eyes to dilate, I browsed the little showroom of frames. As others have noted, the selections are mostly high-​end designers and they’re not all that cheap. But I was willing to spend some extra money for something I was happy with, and there were so many good designs that I spent 20 minutes with the receptionist trying on various styles. She was also very patient in explaining to my mathematically-​challenged brain exactly how much each option would cost with my insurance coverage. I finished up with Dr. Johnson (I am tempted to call her Jamie, because she’s so friendly and because as a bookworm I think of only Samuel Johnson as «Dr. Johnson,» but that would not be fair to her professional stature), paid my bill (with $ 10 knocked off my copay for showing up with my paperwork already completed) and chatted a bit with the receptionists before leaving.
These are friendly folks who know what they’re doing. Anyone looking for an eye exam should go here. Anyone looking to get a nice pair of stylish glasses should go here. Just go here.

Ideal doctor visit. I am very impressed by the doctor and front desk staff.
I woke up with a raging eye infection, and was planning on flying on vacation that day. I called the office to get the problem taken care of ASAP. Megan (front desk) was SUPER friendly, all the while being completely efficient — she clarified all of my insurance/​billing questions immediately. She squeezed me in when I explained the urgency. Dr Jaime Johnson was on time, warm, knowledgeable, and very gently with the examination. She diagnosed me, answered my questions and gave me a free sample to save time going to the pharmacy and all under 20 minutes. Walked me out and another front desk member was just as friendly and efficient taking my co-​pay and closing out the visit. Strongly recommend.

Great staff, excellent service, and beautiful office!
Seriously, I didn’t think it was possible to be so enthused about an optometry office, but here I am. The people at the desk were so kind and chatty, but very efficient. They were running under ten minutes late and were apologizing profusely the whole time. The woman who rang me up was also super sweet with my questions about my new vision insurance policy.
Dr. Ciszek was professional, quick, and personable, and he even gave me a free pair of contacts to try out before committing to a year with my new prescription.
The office is cutesy in a cool way, and they have a great selection of up-​to-​date magazines. Nothing worse than being stuck reading a crusty People magazine circa Brad and Jen divorce.

Review is for purchasing eyeglasses frames only.
I only went to Visionary Eye Care in the Loop, to look for some new eyeglass frames. I’m particular about frames, since my head is small and my eyes are closer together and I find it extremely hard to find frames I like. And I don’t want your run-​of-​the-​mill, everyday average frames. When I wear my glasses, I want them to stand out and be fun.
The staff at this location were very helpful and aware of my needs, and together we found the PERFECT frames for me. I am in love with the frames and have no shame in wearing them. I consistently get compliments on the colors (orange and purple) and I will continue to recommend Visionary Eye Care for frames.

Dear Dr. C. I love you. Almost seriously. Each time I have been here (Andersonville location), I’ve contemplated asking if they were hiring. The front desk staff is wonderful. Super chatty & kind, and incredibly accomodating. The doctor’s are hilarious, thoughtful, and spot-​on in knowing what their patients needs are.
I’m po’. Yes po’ (I can’t even afford the whole word I’m so po’) and the front desk (yay Beth!) hooked it up so I had a payment plan for my contacts (blah blah blah, bad eyes, need dailies, blah blah blah more money). I was able to spread all my payments out over a few checks and was still able to buy groceries and beers — all is well in the world.
Dr. C. was hilarious — he made fun of me immediately for looking like a hot mess (early early appointment on a Saturday) and proceeded to make me feel incredibly comfortable as he poked and prodded at my eyeballs. Seriously. Love. Wish I had to go back once a year.

I am so in love with Doctor Ciszek. Just kidding of course. Sort of.
Seriously he really is the greatest. I agree with the other review that you actually don’t dread going to an eye appt. They’re very conveniently located downtown at Wells and Monroe– also an Andersonville office as well. Young and hip vibe. A bit on the pricey side, but well worth it for great service.
I don’t know what people are talking about with the staff being rude. I’ve found them to be chatty and very nice. In fact, I called them after my last appt because I thought I’d been overcharged and my insurance discount not applied– they said I’d have to call their billing guy in Andersonville but were really apologetic about it. It ended up being one of those things where my credit card held the higher amount but actually only charged the lower one, so I never even called the billing guy because it resolved itself. James called me personally a few days later to find out whether everything turned out OK since they didn’t hear anything from me.
Also, sorry but who thinks that they got the wrong prescription and doesn’t go back to fix it? That makes literally no sense. I have astigmatism in both eyes so I’ve had to do my share of fine-​tuning contacts before. That’s what they’re there for, it’s free of course and they’re happy to accommodate. End result– two happy eyeballs.

I’ve been to their location up in Andersonville, so when I was looking for a new eye doctor after my move to the Ukrainian Village, I was thrilled to see that they had a location near my office in the Loop.
I’ve seen Dr. Ciszek and Dr. Guzik, and they were both warm, funny, and professional. I didn’t have to wait for either appointment, and their desk staff were helpful and nice as well.
Just be warned — this is not an optometrist for cheap-​o glasses. I don’t think they had much below the $ 250 price range for frames. It is a nice selection, though — the last frames I got through them have lasted for five years and still look great.