UC Berkeley School of Optometry

I also have a really high prescription.  I go to the UC Berkeley optometry clinic at Minor Hall and have been for almost 2 decades now. Philosophically, I like the idea of helping medical students in their training and my eyes are the part of my body where I’m willing to do that. Every time I go, I feel like I get a very thorough exam and excellent care. The only downside I would say is that they can run a little long because the student does the exam and then brings in the attending optometrist at the end. You don’t get the same ongoing relationship building that you might in a smaller but it has all the benefits of lots of appointment options and a strong administrative infrastructure to respond to questions quickly.

My daughter got an evaluation at the UC Optometry clinic, in 3rd grade, which is now 8 years ago.  Their report that identified the main issue helped with getting the public school to do a free evaluation -- the school would be required to do it in any event, but it made things roll along easier.  And the clinic gave us materials to work with each evening to help with her visual tracking issues.  My daughter needed a 504 (accommodation but the same classwork).  When the school did their evaluation they also found very slow processing speed and limited working memory, as well as attention issues, in addition to the vision problems.  I remember she didn't used to like museums because she couldn't read the little information cards by each picture, but now she is into it.