Santi Smithsuvan, OD

I called Costco for eye exam. I’m new in the area and thought this would be my best choice for prices! NO IT IS NOT! I was given a price of 49.00 for exam. The when I told them I use one contact (mono vision) on an as needed basis the price went up over 100%. $ 105.00.
This is no discounted price. When I brought this up to her that the price just went up 100% she then said 89.00 (rounding numbers). So what is it, 49.00, 89.00 or 105.00 for an exam. I’m shocked Costco would do business like this. There is no way I will ever step foot into this place. Sounds like a used car sales lot. Get your act together people. Stop charging based on what you can rip people off for. You are off my list.

I have to agree with the previous review. Like the other review, I have been here once before and had a great experience. However, this time I saw Dr. Lawrence Philips and did not have a good experience. I thought the exam was rushed and, and the Dr’s demeanor wasn’t great. I’m not sure if the entire exam was 10 minutes. He changed my prescription by a fair bit despite my current contacts and glasses being fine. I ended up returning the prescription and negotiating a refund as I had no confidence in it. In the end I went to another optometrist, who was a lot more through, and in the end was told me my vision had barely changed.

I’ve gotten my glasses/​contacts here for at least 8 years and haven’t had complaints but yesterday I saw Dr. Lawrence Philips and he was awful. He rushed me and wasn’t clear what he asking when he asked if I could «see» (like didn’t want me to read the letters) so at this point I don’t trust the prescription he gave me. I am going to go somewhere else for a new glasses prescription. Also I was getting new contacts for astigmatism (didn’t have that before) and after I put them in he didn’t ask if they were comfortable or even look at my eyes to check the fit like they normally do. Since I didn’t realize I’d need a whole new appointment for a different brand I thought I’d wait to see if I would get used to the feeling of the new contacts. Now I know I should have complained that he didn’t check my eyes specifically for this brand and asked to try another brand too. I’m so frustrated.
Basically, this place is fine otherwise but he was the worst, don’t get an appointment with him (one star for him).
update: Their office kindly contacted me after this review and offered a complimentary contact lens exam and health check up (including dilation). I still feel that I had a bad experience with that particular doctor but I am impressed by their customer service and… will update again after this new appt.

I was very impressed with Dr. Karen Tang. She was knowledgeable, efficient and friendly! Honestly, the best optometrist I’ve ever seen!

Thorough eye exams and much less money than an opthamologist. Been coming here for years. Very polite and efficient. I get my pupils dilated for the eye health exam. I dont try to save money on my eyes with just a distance and reading exam. Very happy!

Well, it has now taken longer to get my «prioity» redo done that it did to get my original glasses. I don’t get it. I called them yesterday for an update and they said it could take another week. That would be 2 weeks when it originally took 6 days — 4 business days. I am very disappointed. I went to Wal Mart last night and ordered another pair fromn them. Will get them in a week.

Got my prescription here a few weeks ago. Turned out, the axis was a bit off so I had to come in again and get my eyes rechecked. I’d say make sure your script is in order before you leave.
Since I was kind of frustrated for having to come in twice, the manager comp’d my contact eye exam! Overall, very helpful service that cares about the patients. Just double check the script before you head out! My only other qualm is that the eye exam feels a bit rushed but in the end, they do get the job done.
Adiós!

I saw the other optometrist there. My contact script is off and so is my glasses script, and it was not any cheaper than if I had gone to a place that had a real office and not a closet. Refraction is EXTRA., so the price they quoted over the phone was + the refraction fee. Not going back.

I called in on Monday ¹⁄₂₈ because I was going to walk in for an eye exam. I am glad I called because they were all booked up with appointments. The woman on the phone offers to schedule an appointment for me, which is great. She books me in for Wed ¹⁄₃₀ at 5:40 and I enter it into my appointment calendar. She even gives one last confirmation before getting off the phone.
I schedule my day around my 5:40 appointment and get there right on time but there is no doctor and they do not have my appointment on the books. After some searching the girl at the desk found me on the books for Friday.
I was very disappointed at the time I wasted and booked an appointment elsewhere.

Very sadly, Dr. Santi is not here anymore due to some personal health issues, I hope he gets well and can return soon!

Very popular independent doctor of optometry located inside Costco Torrance
This Costco location is extremely busy as is their optical and this independent doctor of optometry. I’ve been going here for 11 years now and Dr. Santi has owned this place since inception of the store I think. As an independent doctor (as required by CA law for chain optical shops) they do not pressure you to buy any particular glasses or lenses nor do they receive any compensation from the Optical. Costco simply collects rent from the office. You don’t have to be a Costco member to get an eye exam here.
That being said, this location is very busy (which shows that people keep coming back) and is staffed with excellent doctors. The exams are comprehensive (with newer state of the art equipment) but you will feel a bit rushed… there’s usually several people waiting at the same time. I’ve seen Dr. Santi, Nancy, Sheri and Chen here as Dr. Santi is only working a few days a week now with the fill-​in doctors in the rest of the days. They have all been friendly and knowledgable… and always got my prescriptions right.
Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays are walk-​in only days, so they don’t accept appointments. Walk-in…and be sure to walk-​in early as 10 people or so will sign up right off the bat at opening. Rest of the days you will need to make an appointment. Either way expect to wait 30 minutes to an hour even with an appointment as they do overbook.
Insurance is not accepted so if you have a vision plan it will be out-​of-​network and you will need to seek out manual reimbursement. Exams are fairly priced…$ 49 for glasses and $ 89 for contacts. Dilation, Fitting, Visual Fields and Imaging are optional and are extra. The office is very cramped with just 3 chairs so be prepared to wait outside. The good thing is that you could be shopping and they will call you when your turn comes.

I’ve been to LensCrafters and any other insurance type optometrist you can imagine, but I always go to this place inside the Torrance Costco. Yes, the exams are a little pricey, but I only need one per year, and I don’t mind springing for the extra cash to know I’m being taken care of. Plus, the contacts I use are really cheap at costco, so I just step right outside Dr. Santi’s office, and put in an order for contacts at the costco desk. I haven’t actually met Dr. Santi, I’ve always had Dr. Nancy. She is always super nice and really helpful.

5 Stars… Dr. Santi is amazing. He takes his time with each patient, and explains your results in a way you could understand. I’ve been going to Dr. Santi for more than 7 years, and I woulnd’t go to anyone else.
Expect to wait 15 – 20 minutes after your scheduled appointment. But he is worth the wait!

Saw Dr. Sheri at this Costco optometry office (which may also be referred to as Dr. Santi’s practice)
Called in for an appointment, locked one in within a week.
I showed up maybe 10 mins early, so the assistant quickly knocked out my glaucoma and other prep stuff.
Had my exam with Dr. Sheri… she was extremely welcoming, professional, and very patient. Her exam seemed extremely efficient, precise, and she took the time to explain some of the features of the exam.
Their office, as she described, is one of the more advanced with respect to technology. The exam equipment is automated, with the optometrist controlling everything from the desktop unit. The slides are all projections. With these two combined, the exam is seemingly effortless.
Routine eyeglass exam $ 49.