Wayne Halstrom Optometry

I have been coming here for over ten years. I highly recommend coming here for all your Eye Care needs

The Optician Alejandra is super duper awesome. She’s always looking very professional and is always very pleasant. She’s always taking care of me and my wife. Always helps us find different options for lenses and is very detailed when explaining our insurance co-​pays and total costs.

I’ve been going to Dr. Halstrom’s office for over 20 years, but I have to say, after all of these years, I was really impressed with my most recent experience. First of all, I called in on the Friday before the holiday weekend to try to squeeze in an appointment for Martin Luther King Day since I had the day off work. The receptionist worked with my schedule and I was able to successfully book an appointment on the holiday despite only booking a few days early. On the day of the appointment, I was checked in right away and the appointment went very smoothly. I decided to get new glasses this time around and the staff was very helpful in getting me set up with the proper pair of lenses. What I was really impressed with was that I had received a phone call early in the day that my new glasses had arrived. Later that day, I was running a bit late back from work and wasn’t sure if I would make it to pick up my glasses before they closed for the day. I gave them a call about 5 minutes before close to see if they were still going to be there and they said they would be able to help me. I came in about a couple of minutes after normal close and the workers still worked with me to not only pick up my glasses, but also took the time to adjust my glasses to make sure my frames fit properly. It was a very good experience all the way around.

I’ve been seeing Dr Halstro since I was a kid his new office location is spacious and in a good location next to a Starbucks. His office staff is nothing but kind and helpful. I love this office and now bring my twins boys here whom are 10. yrs old and they love the office.

I love Dr. Wayne Halstrom!
I have been going to him for about 6 – 7 years now. The office was once located in the Newpark Mall, but he recently moved to a new location not far from there.
The office has always been clean, well kept and MAYBE a little dated as far as décor. Ha. However, I haven’t visited the new office, so I don’t know how it looks.
Dr. Halstrom has always been very courteous, professional and very friendly. He’s a kind gentlemen, and definitely works well with everyone. He also takes a personal interest in his clients, which is nice. *Not just another face*
Upon reading some of the other reviews, I have to unfortunately agree with things as far as the customer service of the employees working there. I can’t say that everyone there has been bad, but most of the front desk people are not too friendly. I was wondering why for so long they still worked there too because I strongly believe in receiving great service. The girls at the desk can be helpful, but many times I have seen them completely ignore customers or even act snobbish towards others. Which doesn’t project a friendly environment for new patients. I have even been a victim of this behavior, feeling a little judged maybe by the employees there. Who knows. I come back, though, because I generally don’t have a problem with the service I receive and I love Dr. Halstrom! He deserves 5 stars but his staff not so much.
Overall, if you’re looking for an excellent eye doctor, I would recommend him. If you’re new, just take heed of the lack of customer service coming from some select employees. I have learned to have low expectations for that.
Looking forward to seeing the office at my next appointment, and maybe there will be new employees, too :)

My preferred optometrist! I’m so glad my insurance switched back to VSP, so Dr. Halstrom has my business back after a 6 year hiatus! Dr. Halstrom is patient, kind, and never makes you feel like he’s in a rush to see his next client. Customer service is premium here! The showroom also offers a wide variety of eyeglass frames, so it’s really a convenient one-​stop shop for contacts, exams, and eyeglasses.

Don’t ever go to this Optometry. They don’t know what type of frames fit the patients. I got a frame, from there. It broke down, even before an year. Also, when i was using the specs they made, the lens was popping out every now and then. The frame didn’t for my face properly, but still these guys don’t even tell u, what should be the right frame for your face. I wouldn’t recommend this place at all.

Been going to this office for several years, primarily because they accept my optical insurance. However, they are generally friendly and take care of business in a timely manner.
However, a couple weeks ago my wife and I went in for our yearly exam and we purchased new glasses. Was told 7 – 10 business days for the arrival. I paid the bill with my FSA (Pre-​tax medical funds) card and was on my way. The following week we were called about my wife’s glasses being ready, but we decided to wait until mine were ready and deal with both at the same time.
My FSA sent me the normal email asking for the receipt to verify that it is indeed a medical charge, so i submitted the receipt. A few days later my FSA contacted me again and stated that the receipt was not properly itemized and therefore won’t be accepted. Also, today is the tenth day, and I’ve received no calls.
I called the office and discovered that my glasses were ready and I inquired about getting an itemized receipt. I was informed that only one person can provide an itemized receipt and she isn’t present this day. Since I plan on picking up our glasses tomorrow (Saturday) I asked if I could get that receipt tomorrow. I was told, probably.
While generally I like service, this time I’m a bit disappointed. While I’m annoyed that I didn’t receive a call, I can live with that, it happens. But the inability to actually be provided with a receipt? That’s crazy…

Surprised by many of these review. My experience was the reverse. Have been to the office 4 times and each time the staff members have been great.
Personally, I don’t «click» with Dr. Halstrom. I find his humor off-​putting and at times (once) offensive. Once I told him that, everything was fine and we moved forward. I found him professional and competent, so I have no problem. I’m not there to make a new friend.
I recently went in without an appointment to ask a few questions regarding new glasses and what my insurance would cover. The gals were great. Kari checked my records and then proceeded to help me look at frames. She listened to my concerns, suggested types of frames and gave me reasons why some would work better than others with my specific prescription. She had the professionalism to ask, «I don’t what to hover if you don’t want me to; just let me know.» I thoroughly appreciated her assistance. Another staff member took my sunglasses and repaired the eyepiece – no charge.
Anytime a group of young women work together (restaurants, retail, etc.), there is a risk of customers overhearing personal conversations (Hate that). Never experienced it at Dr. Halstrom’s. I find his staff exceptional.

Dr. Halstrom is very nice and friendly, but you don’t deal with him much, just for the initial exam. He’s very fast which I don’t mind because I have better things to do, but his office assistants are Beezees. According to Dr. Halstrom, my inc. covered the exam, $ 150 for frames and 20% off anything over that, but when I mentioned that to the assistant, she said no, I would only get the 20% off if I bought a second pair. anyway, got home and chked my benefits again. sure enough, I’m supposed to get an extra 20% off if the frames were over $ 150, but I didn’t feel like going back to deal with that beeyoch so I ended up paying $ 150 out of pocket for a pair of Nine west, not exactly high end, but that’s what I get for not doing my research…
Fast forward (6 mos later) I went in there twice to look at their glasses (very slim selection) and no one even bothered to ask if I needed help or would like to try anything on. They pretty much just ignore you or pretend like they don’t see you even though I was the only customer in the store at the time. I’m guessing they weren’t trained in customer service. needless to say, I won’t be coming back here for my annual exam and I have a great vision plan too.

DO NOT PATRONIZE!!! Dr. Halstrom is great, but his front office staff SUCKS!!! We have been cutomers for many many years and for the past 3 years the twits in the front office have screwed up my wifes order, this time when she called to complain was basically told sorry go somewhere else. Upon calling him myself to complain he basically said the idiots in the front office know what their doing. YEA 3 YEARS IN ROW DR. HALSROM !!! TIME TO REPLACE THE TWITS AND GET SOME ONE IN THERE THAT KNOWS WHAT THE HELL THERE DOING !!!

Okay the stars are for Dr. Halstom himself as I love him. But as noted above by others he needs to re-​think his front desk staff. I believe they are nice to older people and maybe young men. But if you are not one of those then they are very rude, don’t know how to smile or even fake a smile as a front desk receptionist should when dealing with customers. If you don’t like talking to people or being nice then you are in the wrong career.
I had a tear in my eye and had gone to the ER to have it looked at but because they didn’t have an optometrist on staff on a Sat they directed me to go see my eye doctor. Luckily they were open early before 10am even though they are in the mall. When I got there I literally couldn’t open my eye and had to have my mom guide me and it was so painful. Of course the young lady in the front was rude when I called to explain my situation on the way in to see the Dr. as if I was making it up or something.
But as I stated above Dr. Halstom was very helpful and nice. He gave me drops that numbed my eye so it would help get rid of the pain and he could see what was going on. He told me that he couldn’t help me and I had to see the specialist at my doctor’s office and wasn’t sure why they directed me to him. But he said he would give me another tube of the numbing drops to help with the pain because the one he put in my eye might wear off before I get to see the other doctor. He even apologized to me because I was getting the run around and that he couldn’t help me. He didn’t ask me to pay a co pay or anything for the urgent visit as I’m sure some others would.
I currently take my children here and there are some helpful staff that did help my daughter pick out frames that would best suit her face. But the helpful ones were not one of the ladies that you usually first see at the front desk in blue scrubs. They are usually rude and act like they don’t see you standing there. Then when they acknowledge your presence they look at you like you are suppose to be the first to speak. No, «Hi can I help you?»
I will continue to go to this place as it’s more important to me that the DOCTOR is good and not that his front desk help is nice.

I would honestly give them five stars, but I can’t, and I will explain why.
I made an appointment more than a week in advance in person. They had to verify my insurance coverage, which I thought was enough time for them to verify it. They said they will let me know if there’s anything wrong in verifying my insurance. A week goes by and two days before my actual appointment which was a sunday, I got a voicemail saying that they can’t confirm my coverage. Are you freaking kidding me? Why does it take 7 days to confirm my coverage only to be notify on a Sunday afternoon when everything is close that I have no coverage. I was scrambling the following day to find out why, but if I had gotten a call earlier, everything would have been taken care of faster. It turns out that it was my insurance fault for them not being able to verify coverage, but it was their fault for not confirming and letting me know early enough, thus minus one star.
My appointment was at 6:15pm and I walked in literally at 6:14pm due to being held up at work. When I walked in, they have me seated right away in the examining room and this guy was following me into the room. It turns out, it was the Dr. himself. I have never been here so I wouldn’t know what he looked like. Dr. Halstrom is a very funny man and very professional. He made my appointment went by fast and smooth. After my appointment, I only bought glasses from here because my insurance didn’t give me enough coverages for contact lense. Oh well Costco here I come.

i just got back from this place and they have the WORST SERVICE EVER. It was just me and my mom at the store. One receptionist — and two assistants. Did anyone bat an eye and acknowledge our presence in the store? NO! the two assistants were in the backroom KNOWING that we were inside the store and didn’t say hello or help us. After 5 minutes of looking at the frames, i finally had to ask for help. I got it that the frames are designer ones and therefore locked. Of course, I have to ask for help. She came. opened the shelf with the frames I like — gave it to me and LEFT and went into the side room to chat AGAIN! after a few minutes, I inquired about another pair of frames I like, showed it to me and then LEFT to chat in the side room AGAIN!!! She didn’t even asked if i have any questions. It was my first time in the store AND I really love their frames. After a few minutes again HOPING she’d come out of the side room –she never did come out. She and the others were just chatting. What is so freaking important that they have to ignore customers. I LEFT. She looked at me and didn’t even come out to say bye or if there’s anything I need… i am NEVER EVER COMING BACK. They might have the nicest frames in the mall but WORST FREAKIN CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER… DON’T EVER COME HERE. My mom and I went and purchased the frames at SEARS Optical Store where this great filipino guy helped us right away. MY NEXT REVIEW WILL BE ABOUT HIM… One guy in the store who’s very courteous and acknowledge everyone… EVERY SINGLE PERSON that came in. DEFINITELY NO STARS FOR HALSTROMS!

I had been going to Dr. Halstrom for the past 7 years. I have a very unique prescription and Dr. Halstrom got me into a pair of comfortable lenses. He is always thorough and answers all my questions. He was also accomodating by getting me in a few days before I was eligible for getting my contacts covered by VSP, by delaying the billing. He also offered me a 20% discount just for having VSP when I bought my glasses. They have a good selection of frames. 5 stars for Dr. Halstrom, 3 stars for the receptionist and opticians as they can sometimes be rough around the edges.

My wife has had nothing but great things to say about Dr. Halstrom as she has been going to him for years! Now that I needed to get my yearly visit I decided to visit him (prior to that my first eye visit was with NeoVision). Dr. Halstrom took the time to explain my eye issues so that I clearly understood, gave me a few options on what the next steps were as well as his recommendations while having a great conversation with his patients! Highly recommended!

Customer for over 11 years. The best thing is the doctor himself, he listens to all your concerns and spends as much time as needed. Support staff is also helpful and attentive.

I have been to Dr. Halstrom for over 14 years, so needless to say, I am quite happy with his service.
I wear disposable contact lenses that they usually don’t have in their stocks because of the prescription. (I am very very near sighted.) But, they can usually get them in a couple of days. In a couple of occasions (several years ago), they even 2-​day-​fedexed them to me with no charge.
As Matthew C noted in his review, he uses the latest technology (as for now, I guess:)) to examine the pupils without dilating your eyes. When he examined mine for the first time with this several years ago, he told me that there were only 4 of those in the bay area.
He is very personable and listens to my concerns well. As many (or perhaps should say «most of») optometrists are, he is in VSP network.

i had been going to this place for about 3 years and decided to change Feb. of this year b/​c of their lack of good assistance. Granted i only see these folks once, maybe twice a year, but i AM A RETURNING customer and expect some decent customer service when i call. The situation was that i had a red spot in one of my eyes and stopped wearing contacts for a week to see if it would go away, per their suggestion, on Friday the spot was still there, but it wasn’t irritating me and I HAD to wear contacts the next day for a work event, i called to see if it was safe and the associate couldn’t tell me if it was safe nor was she willing to call the doctor for me!
I was very disappointed after having thoroughly explained my situation she was rude and not helpful.
I called ZuZai Optometry instead and they were able to see me the same day and even gave me some drops for free to take care of the spot. (Turns out it was just a dry spot on the eye, contacts were safe)
I give them two stars for meeting the basic eye practitioner requirements, but they have very very limited selection on eye glasses frames and the staff isn’t professional.

Because I don’t know any other places, this place is great! Service is excellent especially when one nurse speaks in your parents’ language. The young desk attendants are very helpful and very familiar if you went to a Fremont high school. Uses up to date technology to check out the health of your eye. Have fun with the focus-​on-​the-​balloon thing and puff-​of-​air apparatus. I will probably never understand how a puff of air straight into the eye can yield the data result: «negative for glaucoma?!» Optometrists, please assist. Anyway, Dr. Halstrom is a fellow Cal alum, so by default he is a pretty cool guy. The selection of glasses here probably isn’t that extensive, but you can find your basics and fashion forward alternatives all in one glass cabinet. Trustworthy. Community enthusiast (sponsors little league teams), and somewhat educational selection of magazines in the waiting room. One magazine told me to learn Arabic to «Make Life Better in 2007!» It also said to look into a Book Club, the latter of two which I will try to do. Thank you. Rhymes. –Matt