Clear Optometry

I went there for an eye exam and picking some new pairs glasses. Since my insurance was paying for a complete eye exams, they were very pushy to do all kinds of tests on my eyes. Even when I told the eye doctor that I don’t want any other exams on my eyes specially with my eye pictures showing my eyes are healthy, he didn’t listen to me and went ahead and put the drops into my eyes very fast and started the measuring my eye pressure. I had to ask him three times in order to stop him. I felt very pushed and uncomfortable. My right eye got hurt in the process and there is a point in my eye that still burns sometime. I wish he would have not started the exam when I specifically asked him not to do it. I left the store immediately with red and teary eyes, and picked up my glasses three weeks later from somewhere else. Sad experience!

First the reviews should be separated for the yogurt counter vs the optometry part. Seems like the yogurt reviews are generally better than the optometry.
I’m writing specifically about the optometry part. my exam for glasses and contacts were good to above average. The staff were friendly and knowledable and were good at guiding me towards contacts that would be comfortable and glasses that looked good on me. The frame selection is also quite good. Now comes the bad part… I selected frames and prescribed lenses mid November 2015, but through a lot of confusion and poor management of their lense/​frame contractor, my glasses did not arrive until 3^rd week of January 2016 (8 wks total wait), when they had quoted me 2 – 3 wks from November. I came in on 3^rd week to pickup my glasses, but was informed that there were some delays and that they would call me when glasses were ready. Well 4 wks later… no calls. So when I called they just told me that glasses came back but were wrong frame, but had no idea when right glasses would be delivered. They called back one week later to tell me further that glasses have not came in, but when asked when… they did not know or seemed to even have asked their vendor. Doesn’t seem like there’s any motivation for them to get me my glasses as I’ve already paid!
BTW, they give you a free yogurt coupon for getting your eye examined. Unfortunately there was a bad taste in my mouth from the poor service that I did not bother to use.

Just had a terrible experience trying to pick out my glasses. The selection is not the best, and the sales person was very patient with me, but when it came time to talk about changing my sunglasses prescription lenses the Manager stepped in to aggressively tell me and scold me into what Polarized and non polarized lenses are. He clearly did not want to be bothered with it and his impatience and terseness excelled. Needless to say I «aggressively» left and will get my glasses else where. Sure, the yogurt/​coffee bar is great, but you need to have a good staff in the «eye» area which is clearly what this shop is, no?

I’ve been coming here for over three years now, and I think I should share the wealth by writing a review. This is the best optometrist I’ve ever been to. Not just because the space is beautifully decorated, the staff is super professional, not to mention they have an extensive dessert/​tea bar in the front (serving Ici Ici from Berkeley, Sibby’s cupcakes, delicious froyo and boba drinks) – but you will get a very comprehensive and patient exam.
In the past, when I’ve been to an optometrist, I usually expect to wait past my actual appointment time and then a cursory exam where the optometrist seemed like they were just going through the motions. Here, you get full attention and detailed care that is hard to come by!
Check it out whether you need an eye exam or just a quick dessert fix!

So, I am hanging out in San Mateo for the day with my sister-​in-​law and family. We decided to drive down to have one of our usual «foodie days». She pitched that after lunch, we could either get gelato for dessert or maybe have some tea. She says there is a really good tea shop in the area. Tea, it is!
After lunch, we look for parking and find a spot in the nearby garage. I ask her what the name of the tea shop is, and she goes, «Well… it’s this optometrist… with a tea bar.» Say what?
We get there, and the place looks high class. Tiffany and Prada frames, shiny high white gloss, bright lights, orchids. It turns out that the owner was inspired by high end optometry shops in Los Angeles, where the stars could enjoy refreshments while having their eyes checked out. Sure, why not? I’m down. Actually, this reminded me a little bit of the kind of service I received while living in Japan — where you step into a hair salon thinking you’ll get a wash/​cut/​style, and end up leaving with that PLUS a massage and an iced tea.
I was surprised by the menu. Local roasted coffee, frozen yogurt, Ici ice cream from Berkeley — they even had the cones! They had a sign up that mentions they no longer serve Blue Bottle, due to they are cutting back on their wholesale business. I ended up going for Ici’s Malted Vanilla Cherry in a cone. My family members ordered passion fruit/​mango boba tea and mango frozen yogurt. Everything was delicious.

As someone with a family history littered with the absolute worst of eye problems, the health of my eyes is something I take very seriously. I’ve been to a number of optometrists throughout my life, and this has been by and far the best. They were comprehensive and patient with me and gave me their full attention. The doctor was great as he dealt with me freaking out a little every time he put drops in my eyes. He let me take my time and prepare myself for each step of the appointment, very patient. Best of all — they don’t do the test that puffs a burst of air on your eyes to check their pressures. They have a more accurate way of taking those measurements, without a puff of air! The people who helped me pick out my frames were great, I had both a woman and man who helped me pick out the pair that I’m absolutely in love with now. Plus — free froyo with your appointment! Great for when you’re waiting for the dilation drops to take effect. Overall, definitely the best optometry experience I’ve ever had. Will definitely be coming back!

Annual eye exams are not on the list of my favorite things to do. I fully accept their importance, but out of every yearly health exam, this has always been one that I’ve been less diligent about. I finally came in, and had a quite pleasant experience!
LOCATION.
It’s both odd and brilliant that they paired optometry with a frozen yogurt/​boba section. It definitely encourages regular foot traffic, and sets them apart. I have yet to try their fro-​yo (dilated eyes on a Friday night don’t put me in a treat-​yo-​self mood), but they do give clients a card for a free treat after your appointment, which is nice.
THE EXAM.
Relatively painless, thoroughly explained, and not too drawn out! My doctor made an unpleasant experience into one that wasn’t bad at all, and I’ll be recommending friends & family to get their exam done here, especially considering how convenient it is location-​wise for us. They also have an extensive selection of frames & sunglasses, so the average person is bound to find a pair that they love during their visit, and the price ranges vary.
SERVICE.
On a follow-​up visit, service was definitely not as great, possibly because they knew we were there for an issue with an existing order, and not to buy more? Soured my taste towards the place, though.

Got a complimentary frozen yogurt and jasmine milk tea from eye exame. Like the milk tea that made with real tea leaves.

Ici ice cream was dried out and very sandy textured, very unlike the actual store in Berkeley. How disappointing!
Actually not a big fan of the combined optometry/​café concept. Seating and «décor» is weird, and I have never felt a craving to try on glasses while eating dessert…

Typical frozen yogurt/​coffee/​optician place.
Based only on the froyo, not too bad. Today it seems to taste different, usually it is stellar. They offer two flavored, but the plain is usually best. A few toppings offered, as well as blue bottle coffee. Service is hot or miss. Eyeglasses, on wall, no experience with that.
If you’re stuck in San Mateo, it’s a destination for frozen yogurt at least. $ 3.50 for 10oz, $ 4 for 16oz.

So, you tell me. They write up an order, saying the first pair was 10% off, the second pair 20% off. They write the sales check out — I’m ready to pay — showing the 20% off on one of the pairs, and 10% off on the second.
Then the sales person says they need someone to check it. Then the second person says that they need to call the manager. The manager, on the phone they say, says that the 20% off is on the lower pair, and the 10% off is on the more expensive pair.
But that was not what had been said or written out on the sales slip. They say it was a «miscommunication» but that is what it I must now pay.
I protest, and they say that the manager has gone away from the phone (not on premises) but I could wait and they could call him later if I would wait.
So, what do you think? Is this reputable? Is it bait and switch? Should they empower their sales people (TWO were involved here) to make decisions and resolve disputes? BTW, the add-​on cost for antiglare was either $ 139 or $ 160 for the ‘better’version. Pretty expensive.
What do you think? Is this good business? Is it fair?

I’m basically always in downtown San Mateo, so imagine my surprise when a blue bottle sticker on a window catches my eye. I was like, huh??? Since when was there a café in San Mateo that served blue bottle?! I peaked in the window and saw that it was not a café. It was an optometrist. Wat. I was in disbelief so I went to Unilocal to check, and sure enough, yes, there is an optometry that served coffee, fro-​yo, Ici ice cream, boba, and glasses. What a time to be alive.
After having lunch in the downtown area, I went over here to grab a coffee. Oh man, the whole time I was ordering, I was just in awe. As I was ordering my coffee in the modern space, there was someone sitting behind me getting fitted for their glasses. I wish my optometrist served blue bottle and ice cream, Geez get it together, Lenscrafters. Just kidding. Kind of. I ordered my usual New Orleans Iced Coffee. While I waited, I checked out their other selections. My boyfriend looked at their glasses. I had recently tried Ici for the first time in Berkeley, so I was tempted to try it but I just had a tuna sandwich. I was trying to be «healthy» I guess. The coffee was great, as blue bottle usually is. The staff was friendly, and I knew I was going to come back. How could I not?
A+ for originality, because I sure as hell have never seen something like this before. Slow clap.

Great service and selection of frames! They have everything from Prada to Paul Frank and Salt! The optometrist Ann was very friendly and thorough during my appointment and was very helpful with every question I had. The staff were very friendly and I usually go to Angela but the other associates were patient in helping me pass time picking out frames and also giving me price quotes.
Outside of the array of spectacles they have here, their frozen yogurt bar also has HOMEMADE MOCHI! Yes! I’m not going to say that I didn’t give this place an extra star because of the frozen yogurt bar inside because i probably did. This place is so hip and necessary in San Mateo! Next time you’re in need of a new frame or prescription I suggest checking this place out :)
Parking can be tough out here on the weekends but no other real complaints!

Excellent and fast service with a friendly staff! I’m typically petrified of optometrists based on a past experience I had at a Costco optometrist (No, I have not gone blind yet like they said!) and I learned my lesson to not mess around when it comes to the quality of the doctors I see. Thankfully my fears were put at ease and I was referred to a specialist by Clear Optometry, but without all of the drama and fear that the terrible Costco optometrist had previously instilled in me. I also needed a reorder on my contacts, and they were available less than 24 hours later! And yes, they do offer you free froyo, coffee or milk tea if you are a client. I’m not sure you could ask for much more! I will be a patient for as long as I live in the pen!

Would you believe they serve organic boba milk tea, frozen yogurt, and ice cream?
The store is so minimal (like this review).

Clear Optometry (Refresh Bar) is now serving Blue Bottle Coffee! With that alone, I’m all in!
This shared biz FROYO/​OPTOMETRY is ingenious. Reminds me of businesses in Asia where you can get married, get a divorce, and get a massage upstairs with a few frills (if you know what I mean). :p
Froyo here was fantastic. I got the Sampler size with free toppings. My dog «Jackson Louie» and our resident foster dog «Nathan» join in the «lickin» too!
I had been meaning to use their Optometry for my eyewear since with all my activity, I go through pairs like there’s no tomorrow. This gives me more excuse to do so during our next visit! All the staff here are super nice including FROYO side, and DOC side too!
Until then, Cheers! ~ :p

One of my favorite yogurt place. I love their homemade mochi. They come in many flavors; blueberry, green tea, raspberry. They also have different jelly flavors, but I haven’t tried them because I always go with the mochi. The yogurt is very smooth and soft, with a good balance of tart and sugar.
Oh, and I guess they sell glasses too…

This review is strictly for the refresh bar.
I was really intrigued when hearing about an optometry place serving frozen treats and drinks so I decided to stop by after lunch one day. When seeing the menu selection, I was overwhelmed because I had an immense craving for froyo, ice cream, and gelato, and the refresh bar offers all three. I decided to try the Durian and Green Tea gelato, and it was delicious. The prices are also reasonable considering how high quality the gelato that is offered is and the amount that is given to you; $ 3.25 for a single scoop and $ 4.25 for the double scoop. The bar also offers a large selection of mochi that you can add onto your ice cream and they are all amazing. I am a huge mochi fan and they do not disappoint.
Even though I haven’t gotten around to it yet, I definitely will be back to try all the drinks they offer. Clear Optometry is the only place (that I know of) that offers Blue Bottle Coffee in San Mateo, and I heard that the drinks are on point just as if you were getting one in the city. Very impressed with the refresh bar at Clear Optometry.

The oddest of odd couples. This deserves 5 stars for sheer originality
I was in the company of the legendary FroyoGirl herself and she brought me here for perhaps the most unlikely place you’ll find froyo — an optometry shop! Yes, really. On one side of the shop, you can get your eyes tested and buy spectacles
On the other, a coffee and froyo bar. The froyo was pretty good too
One of the most unique places I’ve visited in the USA

You would never be able to tell that this was a place with icecream, froyo, coffee or cupcakes from the outside! It makes you feel really cool to be in-​the-​know hehe.
The store is very unique. While some may consider it kind of gimmicky or just plain random to enjoy a froyo amidst cases of glasses (and people requesting to try them on), Clear is able to pull it off well because of the quality of their desserts/​drinks and their very classy and minimalistic décor.
Froyo is the item that this store is known for, so I tried that. You can get a Sampler (10 oz) size with 1 free topping for $ 3.25 or you can get the Starter (16 oz) for $ 3.75 which doesn’t come with free toppings (toppings are 95cents for the first topping and 50cents after that). I went with sampler of Lychee froyo with homemade mochi. The froyo was creamy and very silky. The lychee flavor was not too sweet, which was good. I think I usually prefer my froyo more tart though so next time I’ll probably get icecream, gelato, or a drink. The homemade mochi was really awesome — you can definitely taste the difference! It was also superrr filling, especially after having a large bowl of ramen for dinner.
If I lived closer, I would want to come here with a laptop to work! The environment is very calming and their drink selection (they have Blue Bottle coffee) looks quite good and their icecream and gelato flavors are pretty interesting. I just read in some other reviews that there is a lounge upstairs too — definitely have to check that out next time!
Tips: Cash only. You can connect to free wifi here by using Quickly’s next door.