Avant Optometry

Horrible. Don’t go there. There are many other optometrists in the area that are much more reputable. I went there and not only did they get my perscription wrong but the frames were faulty.

I’ve been taking the whole family here since 2006. The office is friendly and professional and very convenient. I highly recommend.

I’ve had trouble finding the right prescription for contact lenses for years now, and have gone to other places with no success. My exam with Helen was excellent, she was so thorough, listened closely to my issues, discussed pros and cons, had me try multiple different samples, patiently met with me several times to get the prescription just right. She was lovely to work with. A few years ago I saw her husband and had an excellent exam as well. They have a terrific assortment of high end frames, with a range of styles, and Helen was very helpful to me when picking out frames.

I love Avant. I’ve gotten my prescription done here and I also just recently bought sunglasses — the staff is completely helpful, really nice and Dr. Lau is awesome.

I went to see Dr. Lau probably in 2 occasions, both for prescription for my contact lens. Both times, it took multiple visits and trying different lenses for a week each time to get it right. So each visit it took me several weeks to get the right prescriptions. After getting them twice, I decided to look at another optometry, which they were able to get it right the first visit and one week or so trial.
On the other hand, the other doctor is nice although I have never worked with her…

I love Avant. My husband and I have been coming here for many years and have always had great service and gotten products (contacts, glasses) very quickly. Everyone that works here is super helpful and friendly. I highly recommend Avant :)

Just like O M below, I picked this place because it was close. I will not be returning, and I’d advise others not take the chance either.
First, the cost was extraordinary. Not only were the glasses several hundred dollars over my VSP, they also charged me $ 45 for a «contacts eye exam.» I was never told there would be an extra charge and all they offered was, «well, you should have been told about it when you made your appointment.» No, I was not.
Secondly, Dr Lau was brusk, with not a smile during my visit. I don’t expect much, but at least don’t make me feel like my presence is *annoying* you.
And when other reviews say «a few bucks more», try a few hundred more.

Avant Optometry is really good for finding small frames (47 mm) that fit narrow-​faced adults like myself. The only other place in the area I’ve had luck with finding small frames is Peninsula Optical Company in Palo Alto, but that store is not as insurance-​friendly.

I’d had a good experience with Dr. Helen Yau about 5 years ago and decided to go back to take advantage of some insurance timing. I was surprised to read the bad reviews but I went anyway. Dr Yau was great, thorough, meticulous, professional.
They had a good selection of lenses and with insurance it was a fair price. I might have saved a few bucks going to Costco, which is where I’ve gotten multi pack reading glasses in the past, but I wanted an optometrist who I liked and trusted. If you want to small town, comfortable setting with quality service, this is a great place to go.

Dr. Yau personally helped me pick out a new pair of glasses almost 10 years ago, and I have been coming back to her and Dr. Lau’s care ever since. They are both very kind and personable, and their staff is always helpful and professional.
I moved down to the South Bay a few years ago, but I happily make the drive back to Menlo Park for my yearly exams.

It’s so nice to have an optometrist you can trust, right in your home town. I like that they take VSP, and Dr. Lau is very helpful and knowledgeable and you don’t feel rushed! The last place I went had gotten my prescription wrong… Dr. Lau has done a great job of getting it just right.

Been here twice for prescription reading glasses and eye exam. Friendly atmosphere and knowledgeable people who help find a good frame. Not a very big selection of frames and the prices are definitely not on the cheap side. Good location, I will go back.

Walked in asking if they could help repair a pair of sunglasses, which they did with a smile and no charge. Service with a smile!

I have been seeing them now for five years and look forward to continue seeing in the future. As uncomfortable as I am about getting my eyes checked, they always put my worries at ease and answer any and all of my many questions. Not only they are awesome doctors, they are also the best at helping me find the perfect style frame to fit me. I’ve yet to have a pair of glasses that I didn’t love.

I have two young sons, and it seems that they are drawn to my glasses, which they have bent out of shape several times. Each time I think they are toast and I’m going to have to replace them, but I take them into Avant and they always seem to make them like new again, and for NO CHARGE! You’re NEVER going to get that type of service from a large chain store! Thanks Avant!

Picked this place since their in my VSP provider and the comments looked good. Since most of the review said that Dr. Yau was good, I asked to book an appointment with her but the person over the phone said she didn’t haven any openings so I was scheduled with her husband, Dr. Lau.
I had my routine eye exam done there, everything except getting my eyes dilated. I was there to get my exam done and possibly get new contacts. They said that they’d order me a pair of contacts according to that day’s findings and if the prescription worked out, then those would be my pair of contacts.
So I came back to pick up the new contacts and paid the costs for the contacts as well as routine eye exam. The total cost was ~$ 200 (it would have been over $ 600 without VSP) and was way too much for me. I couldn’t believe how much it was so Dr. Yau sat down with me and itemized everything for me.
When I came back a week later for Dr. Lau to assess my vision with the new contacts, they told me they had already ordered contacts for me (which I don’t know why they would since at that time, they didn’t know if the trial contacts were the right fit for me). I was not willing to pay such a steep price for contacts so they were nice enough to cancel the order.
All through this, I ended up dealing with Dr. Yau and although the finances and miscommunication wasn’t fun to deal with, she was extremely pleasant and helpful. Two stars mostly for the high price (a pair of contacts should not be that expensive).

I came upon Avant Optometry a few years ago when I was looking up VSP providers in the Menlo Park area. Great location for me on Santa Cruz ave and I’m happy they have weekend hours.
I’ve ordered contacts and glasses from here and while not cheap by any means, both Dr Lau and Dr Yau are extremely friendly and helpful and genuinely seem interested in their patients.

Avant was recommended by several unrelated people and after going there (appointment was available in just a couple of days after calling) I totally agree with another review: Dr Stephen Lau is very friendly and easy to talk to, explains everything well, seemed to have done everything thoroughly and (main issue with doctors nowadays) he did NOT rush — took as much time as was necessary to find the best new prescription for me.
Their selection of frames is rather limited though and I am taking my prescription elsewhere to find a frame.

Bought a pair of Gucci prescription sunglasses. Second time I went in there they treated me weird.

I found Avant through Unilocal and was very pleased with the service. Dr. Lau is extremely down to earth and very easy to speak to. I visited the office 3 times to ensure the prescription, fit, etc was right. I recommend taking the time to understand your issues rather than expecting to get a quick fix. Both doctors were great.
I will continue to use their service.