Belmont Shore Optometric

Been going here for years. Long overdue - excellent care, service and eye wear offerings. THANK YOU!

My first experience with Belmont Shore Optometric was in late 2019. After being an avid LC (you know the place) customer for over a decade, I moved to Belmont Shore and felt like it was a good time to switch to a small business for my optical needs. I was used to going to LC (not going to put the competitor name in here) and waiting for weeks to get an appointment. When I called BSO, they actually asked ME when a good time was. I wasn't used to not being on someone else's schedule.

They got my husband and me in at the same time, which was really convenient. When we arrived, the smell of fresh chocolate chip cookies hit us like a little bit of heaven. One of the employees had just pulled some cookies out of the oven to serve to the customers. HOW CUTE IS THAT!

While I was waiting for my husband to finish with his exam, I wandered to each display case to try on their huge selection of frames. I never felt any pressure while trying on frames or asking questions. The staff was all very knowledgable and very upfront about what my costs (after insurance) would be. I liked not having to wonder about the final bill on the way out.

The optometrist was so nice. Way better than anyone I'd had at LC. She explained everything so clearly to me and made me feel more comfortable about all of my concerns. She didn't just tell me not to worry about something. She genuinely gave me all of the details I needed to know to be put at ease rather than feeling silly for asking.

Once it was time to choose my new frames, I was told it would take a couple weeks for them to get my new prescription glasses in. This is pretty standard for any office that doesn't have their lenses made in-house. Once my glasses were ready, I went back and they adjusted the glasses to fit my face and rest comfortably on my ears/nose. In my goodie bag, they had included a sleek case, lens cleaning spray, and a microfiber cloth. Free stuff means bonus points!

So now for what I learned:
I must've opted for the 1-year protective coating, although I don't remember for sure. It was definitely not for me, and I really can't blame the optometrist for that at all. They scratched easily, started peeling along the edges, and seemed to attract dust/pet fur/fingerprints like nothing I've ever experienced before. I let it go for about 9 months thinking I just needed to take better care of my lenses, but then I noticed something. While I was being so delicate with them, I still noticed some of the film peeling away from the very center of the lenses! I'd never experienced that before, so I called BSO asking what I could do about it. Sherri (an angel on earth) told me everything was still under warranty and that what I was experiencing was definitely not normal, so the coating was probably defective. She told me to come in to drop them off. When I came in, they had completely outfitted the whole place to be compliant with COVID-19 protective standards. Masks were required, of course, and everyone on staff was being safe.

The designated distanced tables were already in use, so I dropped off the glasses and told them to call me to go over any details, which they happily did. I chatted with Sherri on the phone again and explained everything to her. She said she'd handle it in have everything ready to go in 2 weeks or less. I used my old prescriptions in the meantime and couldn't wait to get my new ones in. Sherri was so sweet and made sure I was completely taken care of from start to finish. I picked up my brand new glasses less than 2 weeks later and they were perfect! Sherri was there and she made sure everything was fitting right. I asked for more lens cleaner since I had gone through my last bottle so fast and she gave it to me for free!

I've had the new pair for 4 days now and have had zero issues with them getting dusty/dirty like I did before. I'm so happy I took advantage of my warranty, because these are the glasses I always wanted. Huge thanks to BSO, especially Sherri, for their immaculate customer service. I don't ever want to go anywhere else!

Dr. Chao is exceptionally careful about being comprehensive and accepting of patients’ needs and vision concerns. Even though I’m a complicated prescription for both glasses and contacts, she makes me feel like it’s her greatest day when I find i can see well! Our family has enjoyed the care she and this practice give for years. Sherri has fit us all in glasses and we appreciate the variety of options in the shop that enables this.

The staff there is so wonderful! Everybody is so friendly and so nice. Front office ladies are so helpful and so kind. Sherri is amazing at picking out just the right frames for you and she is just so kind and loving.

Okay...this review is LONG overdue. I struggled to find an optometrist in Long Beach where I loved the people, the frames, and the exam space. Glasses are a huge part of my everyday look, and I’ve got a few pairs that I interchange, so I’ve tried a lot of different places over the years. Finally, a coworker recommended them and I am so glad she did! I have never had so much fun trying on various styles or felt so welcomed into a space like this. Everyone was really fun and friendly, and communicated super clearly throughout- from exam, to fitting, to choice of lenses. I generally have frames that are vintage or old stock, so I have yet to purchase frames here, but I’m constantly drooling over their eclectic selection of frames, and feel more than comfortable entrusting my beloved vintage frames to them. Thank you for being so awesome and for being a one-stop place where I can take care of my eyeglass needs. Last note: Dr. Chiao is fabulous, and has hired a world class group of people to work in her office. Highly recommend!