Dr. Sandra Lee & Associates

This place is outrageous… My boyfriend was there for 3.5 hours getting «necessary» exams and contact fitting only to spend $ 500+ dollars on the bill! We have very good insurance and we also have a $ 180 stipend towards contacts or glasses. Why did it cost me only $ 100 for exam and a years supply of contacts and here it cost $ 500? He also wasted his whole afternoon at the appointment having things done incorrectly by interns and not even the doctor! Waste of time and $$$$ we will not be going back there.

We have been customers for many years, and were very happy. We were dismissing their attempts to sell us eye imaging tests (not covered by VSP) and never knowing what lenses we were getting. After all, once in a while they had nice discounted frames.
Here is what pushed us over the edge.
This year they succeeded selling the eye imaging test to my daughter (she did not understand what they were doing), and the test showed abnormality. Trumpeting success they encouraged more testing to be done, but we went to Kaiser. The eye doctor at Kaiser told us that the abnormality was visible without any imaging. She took her own images to determine the severity, but not to detect it. We then asked for medical history from Dr. Lee. She was not forthcoming. After many attempts, she gave us a copy. Abnormality was in the chart from several year ago, but she never told us about it. Instead, she was selling the imaging test.
My husband then went to the same Kaiser doctor, and … there were abnormalities. No imaging was necessary to detect those. He was referred to the retina specialist. Dr. Lee never told him about those, but was selling the imaging test.
We cannot say that Dr. Lee withheld the information. If she didn’t, she is not a very good doctor. One way or another, we may need to go elsewhere.

Nicest people ever! I found the Rayban glasses window browsing and ordered the same pair from where I had already had my eye exam. The pair I received was totally different colors (because every pair is slightly different in this case). Eileen at the front desk was nice enough to switch out my new pair with the ones I truly wanted for free! I ended up with the glasses I wanted in this very round-​about way. Everyone here is so welcoming and helpful with ordering and options. I have another pair being ordered for me to try on right now. I should have stuck with these people the whole time!

I had a great experience at Dr. Sandra Lee’s office. The staff was very friendly and accommodating, expecially considering their smaller offices. Dr. Lee really knew her stuff. She was well informed and she went above and beyond answering all my questions. One of the things that really impressed me was the associates helped me pick new frames that truly suited my face; where my eyes sit center in the glasses and the color complimented my complexion. I’ve felt like other places will just say that one pair of glasses look good, the staff here will explain why one pair works better than another and listen to my ideas.

I went to Dr. Sandra Lee once. Four years ago. There is a reason why I am writing a review now.
For the appointment itself, it wasn’t terrible, but I wouldn’t call the experience good… I had an appointment but still had to wait a pretty long time to see her. When I did see her, she was friendly and warm but when I told her I didn’t want to have a certain test that would cost additional money her mood shifted substantially. She brought in another clerk and the two of them tried to bully me into getting that test.
She ended up doing it for me for free, to show me how cool (It lets her see INTO my eye!) and important it was, and said next time I had to pay. Allllllright. It felt less like a favor and more like a marketing gimmick.
I ended up buying some expensive frames that I really like (I still wear them!), but deciding I didn’t want to go back to Dr. Lee again. She just makes me uncomfortable. But FOUR YEARS LATER I am still getting e-​mails, letters, and texts. I try to unsubscribe, say I’m no longer interested in her services, but they continue coming. If anything I feel like I get more now than I used to.
Generally I feel like, hey, a bad experience is a singular bad experience. You can get over it, no big deal. But going to Dr. Sandra Lee isn’t a mistake that will just affect one afternoon in your life. You will never get rid of her.

A customer of Dr. Sandra Lee for several years, I’ve also been dismayed by high pressure to buy pricy lens, coatings et all, performing unauthorized tests on my son… Be on your guard.
I found that the reflective lens covering they convinced me to buy last time is peeling off, unable to afford a second $ 600 pair at the time, sending my lens and frames for two weeks isn’t an option as I depend on my glasses for basic vision. The coating going south is a $ 700 plus hit, new glasses before my insurance kicks in.
When I expressed my unhappiness at this turn of events the technician cold-​glaring began to have a nice me in the tone of voice wishing me a speedy death and please don’t come back. I left but returned to retrieve my prescription only to be greeted with a sarcastic «Oh, you want it?» and a final «Have a Nice Day, that made the first one seem warm and friendly. Well, if you’re looking for an optician that has your back, the only thing Dr. Sandra Lee offers is a knife.

had a great eye experience here in december where they fixed my glasses even though they were about to close so I made an eye appointment and had a fun time during my exam and fitting for my new glasses… so when I had to come back and see about my broken earpiece, I wasn’t surprised they were able to find out it was under warranty so I was able to order a new one at no cost… such sweet ladies and always helpful!

So I wanted to tell you WHY i’m giving Sandra Lee & Associates only two stars.
1 star for being very thorough. 1 star for the cool little to go bag they give you with hand soap (for washing hands before contacts) and contact cleaner. The staff is also polite and helpful.
Here’s where they lost points.
–They’re pushy to get to to buy their over-​priced glasses to «get the most out of my insurance»
–Dr Lee has a strange bedside manner, kind of like a mean butch lesbian in a dive bar. A little gruffer than I’m used to.
–They want you to do all kinds of extra tests that are no covered by any insurance.
–Dr. Lee told me that if I needed a refill on my prescription, to just call. I called and since I hadn’t been there 9 months (not even a year yet) that she wanted me to get an exam again. For what? So that you can make more money off me? This is a prescription for allergies that I have been on for several years.
I thought long and hard about it and I’ll be looking for a new eye doctor.

I’ve experienced better. Been going there since the week she started at this location many moons ago. Nice enough, caring enough, staff often very nice and helpful, but way way way overpriced.
Went in recently to find out what new sunglasses lenses only would cost for an existing frame i had and was astounded to be quoted a price of $ 800+ dollars and that AFTER factoring in my insurance. Say what?! for just lenses?!!
I went down the street to her nearest competitor who quoted me a price of around $ 410 –and that BEFORE factoring in insurance– (their computers were down and they couldn’t factor it in at that time, i was told).
Then i went to Costco, and got not only the new sunglasses lenses put in my old frame, but ALSO new regular lenses and new frames ALL this for UNDER $ 270 and they don’t take my insurance! (and this was with all the extras, like coatings and polaroid, lightweight, etc that i was asking for at the other 2 places).
Perhaps one can go to Lee’s for check-​ups and eye care, but buyer beware as to the purchase of any lenses and frames! They truly are price gougers (and forget the costco comparison, compared to half the price and much bigger selection of frames just 3 blocks down the street from Lee’s).

I had the best experience! Dr. Lee helped me by suggesting multifocal contracts and they are awesome! She was helpful, knowledgeable and professional. I totally recommend her and her wonderfully supportive and competent office staff. I picked out some glasses that I love. You will not be disappointed!

This is a wonderful and efficient optometrist office. The are all so very helpful they all went out of their way to get me fitted and send me back to Germany in minimum time. Dr. Lee is so very gracious and gave me the best exam I have had in years. I am so very tankful for your help and now I can see again thank you all so very much.

Not a patient here but did stop in to order some glasses with an existing prescription. Variety was good and the staff was friendly helping to answer questions and assist with pricing.
I ended up requesting a style they didn’t carry and they were more than happy to locate online and place the order.
The item was on back order so took a while to receive but service was top-​notch when I went to pick it up. Glasses came with a cleaning cloth, cleaning spray, and a Ghiradelli chocolate square.

I have an out of state family member who usually takes care of my eye needs at Thanksgiving and Christmas. But my glasses broke out here and even though they sent me replacement frames I needed a pro to install the lenses. I called to see what they would charge and a friendly voice answered the phone, offering to make time in a busy day to accommodate me. They ended up installing the new lenses for free and even encouraged me to come in for free adjustments. I appreciate the friendliness even though I’m not looking for a new optometrist. As a result, if I have any needs that can’t wait til the next family-​get-​together I’ll be sure to come here.

Since my last review I have taken my daughter (age 6) for her first eye exam, since the screening they do at schools is a joke. Dr. Lee is phenomenal with children and her staff are beyond accommodating. They made the entire process fun and not scary and topped it off with a prize from the secret prize bin. I can’t say enough good things about this business. My two experiences so far have been well over five stars.

I’ve been a patient of Dr. Lee’s for sometime now and is the only Optometrist that I continue going back to. He eye exams are incredibaly thorough, especially for me when I get migraines when even my prescription is off by a little bit. I am currently going through dry eye therapy and noticing my eyes getting a little better and seeing better. They are a bit on the pricey side, but for me it’s worth it.

I’ve been at this office for 3 years now but will not be returning. Dr. Lee is very brief with her patients. There is no such thing as a good patient-​provider relationship here.
Here are the problems that I have with this place:
1.) Everyone (including all the pre-​optometry interns) is professional but in an incredibly obvious fake/​rehearsed manner. That makes me feel very uneasy.
2.) Expect to be pushed to get extra screenings/​scans that are NOT covered by most vision plans in addition to a basic eye exams. Strange to have this happen at a medical facility.
3.) Eyeglass selection is very limited and overpriced. They do carry some reputable brands though.
4.) Contacts are overpriced.
You can expect this place to deliver care QUICKLY and at a HIGHER COST, but the quality of care and patient experience is truly lacking.

Just say no to all the items that this office tries to shove down your throat. I do not need a retina scan especially after an eye dilation. I only need what my insurance will cover please. It’s the degree of «selling» and «pushing» that really turns your customers off. No repeats!

Dr. Sandra Lee is a great optometrist and very modern and forward looking in regard to your eye health care! Her staff is great at helping sort through the insurance policies, making sense of them and getting you order submitted quickly. I have moved far away from SF, but still come to see Dr. Lee for my eye care.
And the frames selection is the best I’ve ever seen!!! Her European frames are to die for and I want all of them!!! Especially the Dutch and the French frames! There is a particular green pair that I want. I have 5 pairs of her glasses already!
I strongly recommend Dr. Lee and her office highly!
Cheers!
Patty

Dr. Lee is so kind and professional. She’s very concerned with eye health, so she taught me how to be a better contact wearer.
The staff is also very kind and helpful. They’ll help you choose glasses that work for you, even if your eyes are dilated.

Can I give more than 5 stars? I had to double check the address on this Unilocal page after reading some of the negative posts because I wasn’t sure I was on the right page. I can’t even find the words to describe how positive my experience with Dr. Lee and her staff was. I came to Dr. Lee with a list of requests from another doctor involving certain eye tests and pictures, etc. It was my first time seeing her, and as soon as she greeted me, she was ready to take on my complex case.
Not only did she take the time to explain to me step by step what she was doing with each of the tests, she also listened to me describe what I was feeling. Dr. Lee is very knowledgeable on eye issues and took the time to explain how the other symptoms I’m feeling relate to my eye health. Her demeanor was so pleasant and caring, I actually felt welcomed and comfortable. You can tell that she really enjoys what she does and has a sincere interest in her patients. When I thought it was over and I was preparing to leave, she said «I’m not done with you just yet. We still have more work to do!» I’m so glad I found a doctor who is not trying to rush me out of the office!
Her staff is amazing as well. Kathy, Jennifer, and Shannon all helped make my visit beneficial and memorable. From the scheduling process to the billing process, everything went smooth and all of these ladies, including Dr. Lee, took the time to ensure I don’t have to pay for unnecessary costs. While I was waiting for my eyes to dilate, everyone checked up on me and I was offered some water and asked if I needed anything.
Before I left, I asked her what she was looking for concerning a certain picture of my eyes that she was examining. She pointed to the chair next to her and asked me to take a seat and broke it down in layman’s terms as she answered my questions along the way. Doctors rarely, if ever, take the time to do that!
This visit boosted my spirits. I’m also taking her advice and seeing an allergist next. Instead of other doctors who just said «you can see an allergist,» Dr. Lee explained WHY.
After this experience, I find it disturbing that people will leave their vision health in the hands of eyewear places that do not have the medical expertise or equipment to essentially save your vision. Some medical needs brought me to Dr. Lee and her patience and expertise has gained her a new patient. If you want an eye doctor who cares about your health and has a caring and efficient staff, see this doctor.