Avant Optometry
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Avant Optometry
6/15/21 update. As health care providers, we will continue to require masks and hand sanitization until further notice. We are still open by APPOINTMENT ONLY Monday - Friday 9 am to 5 pm! Please visit our Facebook page (AvantOptometry) and "follow" us to get the latest updates about our practice. Thank you for your trust and support and we look forward to seeing you soon!.

Welcome to Avant Optometry, the office of Dr. Spencer Lau and Dr. Helen Yau. Patient satisfaction is our top priority! We strive to provide the highest level of personable eye care and customer service, along with the newest revolutionary optical products in the industry, in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
Services
Our comprehensive evaluation includes the measurement of visual acuity, color vision, binocular vision and depth perception, focusing ability, prescription for glasses, health assessment to detect cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma, and a computerized peripheral vision analysis.

We also offer high-resolution digital retinal imaging (optomap(R)) to aid in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of both eye and general health conditions.We will listen to and address all your questions and concerns. We use premium lens materials and designs to achieve optimal vision, exceptional all-day comfort, and healthy eyes.
Acuvue Oasys with Transitions can sense changing lighting conditions in your environment and seamlessly adapts from clear to dark to provide all-day soothing vision. Using Light Intelligent Technology, this innovative lens reduces glare, delivers more effortless sight with less squinting, and helps you recover from bright light up to 5 seconds faster.
Reviews (22)
Joey N.
Joey N.
Nov 30, 2021
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The only reason why I go here is because of the doctor and him having an association with co-workers. I would never recommend the place other than that. The lady that works the front has horrible manners. She really needs to learn some etiquette. Please, teach her how to speak to people. I know just go here for the exam and then take my prescription else where.
Mona A.
Mona A.
Feb 07, 2021
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Great place to get your vision checked and get glasses (though the glasses are a bit expensive but honestly they are expensive everywhere). I really liked their customer service, friendliness of the optometrist and the staff working there. During covid I felt safe, they practice Spain distancing, wear masks and check temps. So glad this place is close to home, will definitely be back and highly recommend for those looking to a pit of glasses or getting your vision checked!:)
Giulia Leone
Giulia Leone
Aug 16, 2020
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The doctor was very rude and they were not clear on prices. I don’t recommend this place, I won’t go back there.
Claire G.
Claire G.
Nov 18, 2019
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The sales/customer relations staff are helpful and friendly, and make the process of choosing a new frame easy. The optometrist not so much; I think there are probably easier and quicker places to do an eye test in the area. I found the whole thing a bit confusing with regard to what strength my glasses and contacts were going to be.

The selection of glasses frames is pretty high-end (i.e. pricey), but it's Menlo Park I guess. They have great quality brands and some very beautiful frames; Lindberg, Blac etc. Post-sale customer service is also great, they're very helpful and responsive
Mary F.
Mary F.
Nov 10, 2019
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Limited selection here, especially for men's glasses. Many styles look outdated for several years. Though prices are high (~$300-500 for frames), limited selection of brand name frames (Prada, Coach, etc.).
Mik W.
Mik W.
Nov 10, 2019
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My son and I had excellent experiences with Avant optometry. They took good care of us during our eye exams and the glasses selection was just what we needed! They did not pressure us into purchasing frames from their store, but we are happy we did because both pairs turned out perfect. My in-laws also got their glasses here and like them, too :) thanks for being an awesome family run local business, Avant!
Julie Aleman
Julie Aleman
Dec 27, 2018
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I've been going here for 10+ years and still commute from SF I love it so much. They're friendly, on time, and very knowledgeable.
Christine Lexe
Christine Lexe
Nov 28, 2018
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Very nice doctors here - I always feel comfortable with their recommendations for taking care of my eyes. The staff is so nice, too - the opticians can do magic with making glasses fit juuuust right!
Steve M.
Steve M.
Mar 10, 2018
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I wear bifocal contacts, have been wearing them for 10+ years. Every year when I go to get my eyes checked, it has been hard to nail down the exact prescription. The optometrists I was seeing before just could not get it right. Headaches, blurry vision, it was not going well.

Yesterday I went to Avant. Why did I wait so long? One visit, excellent treatment, and this is the first time I have come away with the right contacts after the first visit.

You would be silly to go anywhere else, these guys are awesome.
Ang P.
Ang P.
Feb 26, 2018
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I have been trying to pin down the right prescription for my transitioning eyes, as I am at that age I need reading glasses and bifocals. My regular doctor is located too far from my workplace so I needed to find a new doctor closer to work. This office fixed my vision issues and I am now able to see!!! (without blurred vision) I am thrilled with my ability to see clearly again. Your eyesight is precious. There is not price for that.
Gina
Gina
Jul 14, 2017
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Great place to have an eye exam and if you need glasses they have a nice selection of frames. Our whole family have been clients of Avant Optometry since 2007 and appreciate the friendly husband/wife team of Dr. Lau and Dr. Yau.
Julia S.
Julia S.
May 17, 2017
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I went in for an eye exam and prescription for reading glasses. While the exam was ok, except for the usual upsell attempts by the optician to be performed with extra equipment that is not covered by insurance. The optician completely lost interest in even answering simple coverage questions and the various options for lenses when he heard that I would have to come back to place the order due to time constraints on the day of the exam. Selection of frames was very small, and very little interest and competence of the staff to assist. I will take my prescription elsewhere and not return here
Lee G.
Lee G.
Jun 15, 2015
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I've been taking the whole family here since 2006. The office is friendly and professional and very convenient. I highly recommend.
Stephanie S.
Stephanie S.
May 13, 2015
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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.
Akiko I.
Akiko I.
Apr 29, 2015
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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......
Eric F.
Eric F.
Sep 28, 2014
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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
Walter P.
Walter P.
Aug 27, 2013
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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
O. M.
O. M.
Aug 22, 2013
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Stay away from this place...
Picked this optometrist due to being closest to home and accepting VSP. Scheduled an appointment with Helen Yau for eye exam and glasses. Compared to Sears Optical I had visited previous years, service was inferior. Eye exam was way off. Spent few hunded $s on top of VSP for progressive glasses, which is not useful at all.
Helen Y. was particularly rude during refitting of glasses. Never heard any optician ordering patient to put the hands down in a rude way I have ever experienced in my life. She almost rushed the session to a finish as soon as possible. I got the
Audrey L.
Audrey L.
Apr 12, 2013
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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.
Janel Y.
Janel Y.
Sep 23, 2009
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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
Justin Y.
Justin Y.
Feb 02, 2009
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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.
Brian Q.
Brian Q.
Apr 19, 2007
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I found Avant through Yelp 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.