Total Vision Mira Mesa - San Diego, California

adusumalli V. V.

I’ve been a loyal patient of Mira Mesa Optometry for the past 5 years, but my recent visit was such a disappointment that I feel compelled to share my experience. While the check-in and testing process were smooth and professional, my interaction during the frame selection process was utterly unacceptable.

The employee assigned to assist me in selecting frames was unhelpful and dismissive from the start. When I asked for guidance, she curtly said, “Pick any frame,” without offering any advice or support. After spending 30–40 minutes searching on my own, I finally found a frame, only to be given an estimate that was far outside my budget. When I requested an itemized bill, she flat-out refused. I then asked for a printout of my previous year’s frame price—a simple one-page document she had on file—and she told me to call my insurance instead. Even when I offered to pay for the printout, she arrogantly denied my request.

I asked to speak with a manager, but she claimed there was no manager available. Throughout the entire interaction, I felt I was treated with disrespect. What’s more disheartening is that I’ve since heard similar stories from colleagues who’ve had bad experiences here.

After five years of being a patient, I’ve learned my lesson the hard way. I will not be returning to Mira Mesa Optometry, and I strongly advise others to look elsewhere for their optometry needs.

Vanessa C.

Very unprofessional business and will not be returning.

1) I received a rebate coupon from a contact lense order, but I accidentally misplaced the paper slip. I called the office to get a new rebate coupon and they said they would send one. A week passed and they didn’t send it. I called again to follow-up and they sent me an expired one. I called again and after another week, they still didn’t send one. At my fourth call, they finally sent one. It should not have taken me four different calls to receive a rebate coupon when it could have easily been resolved in the first call.
2) I called in advance of my eye doctor appointment to verify if my contacts would be covered by my insurance. I was told yes. I went through the appointment and was again assured that my contacts were partially covered by insurance. So I ordered my contacts and paid the difference. A month later I receive a phone call that my insurance declined the bill and now I have an outstanding bill with Mira Mesa Optometry. And the reason why my insurance declined is because apparently I am only eligible for contacts every 2 years. This is something that should have been known by Mira Mesa Optometry prior to me placing my order! I literally ordered contacts through Mira Mesa Optometry last year, so this is information they already have at their disposal and it shouldn’t have come as a surprise that my insurance declined my order. Furthermore, I wouldn’t have ordered contacts if I knew this information beforehand and if Mira Mesa Optometry did their due diligence to actually look at my records and insurance coverage beforehand. I have tried calling several times (even left a voicemail) and no one is returning my calls or responding to my voicemail. I shouldn’t have this much difficulty contacting an employee to talk to over a mistake the company made.

Jenna B.

I think this place use to be good a couple years ago, but it went downhill. They might need more staff and better doctors to help turn it around. Valentina and Elmer are very nice, patient, and accommodating. I can see they work well under pressure. The one dr I’ve been seeing I think messed up my contact size or prescription. One of my eyes was constantly super dry, itchy, irritated, it felt so uncomfortable. I thought it was the brand I was wearing. I explained to him how my eye was feeling and he looked extremely confused. He questioned me if he gave me the right prescription I honestly should’ve walked out right then and there. I really didn’t know what to say, so he just switched my brand to a different one but I’m still having the same issue. I usually don’t write reviews but I was a little frustrated with that experience.

Zoe T.

This optometrist acted like he wanted to get the exam completed as fast as possible. He was nice and the staff were professional in-person but they did not send me the correct glasses and contacts prescription via email when requested. When I followed up 5 times via email they either continued to give me the incorrect prescription (they swapped contacts and glasses prescription information) or completely ignored me multiple times. I will never return to this provider again.

Christina S.

This place has gone down hill. I drove from Chula Vista to select a pair of glasses. I waited over an hour for the lady to place my order and she said she would call instead. The reception was very rude. No manners.
A complete waste of my time.
I was a customer for 5 years. I won’t be going back again.

Nina D. V.

I want to begin by saying that I have no issues with Dr. Guiang or Dr. Blanc—my husband found Dr. Blanc’s examination to be thorough and unrushed, which we greatly appreciated.

My concern, however, lies with the staff and 'opticians.' I worked as an Optician for about 3.5 years from 2016 to 2019, so while I understand that certain aspects like VSP or the software used in optometry offices may have changed, exceptional customer service and a comprehensive understanding of processes remain essential. The optician we worked with, Valentina, was direct when explaining options and pricing, but I found it difficult to engage in the conversation. The only input I managed was requesting polycarbonate lenses and a blue light anti-reflective coating.

When I inquired about our coverage, I expected a transparent breakdown from VSP detailing what was covered and the co-pays—something I used to provide to ensure patients felt informed and confident in their choices. This transparency is especially helpful since choosing glasses can be overwhelming. After we found out the total cost, which was in the mid-$500s for two pairs of glasses (one for my husband and one for me), I asked Valentina to save the details of our selections in our file, indicating we would likely return in a few days. She then became pushy, asking why we couldn't purchase the glasses that day so she could “note it in our file.” I had never been asked that before, so I explained that it was for financial reasons. Her response included a lecture about buying glasses at Costco, at which point I decided to pay the $39 fee for our retinal photos (which we weren’t given the option to decline) and left without looking back.

George H.

Superior service provided by Valentina Alkhimova (Eyewear Specialist) that enabled me to get new eyeglasses uniquely suited to my individuality. I have been a client of Total Vision Mira Mesa (formerly Mira Mesa Optometry) for 15 years and greatly appreciate their guidance, patience and assistance in always being able to find the best vision solution.

Laurence R. (.

Complaint: New Contact lenses delivered under payment number 1166720 does not match Dr Guiang’s prescription for daughter Megan R. Order was made on 11/09/2023 by employee number 11654. See photos below. Request Mira Mesa Optometry contact Megan R., to enter new order ASAP with the correct prescription written by Dr G on 11/09/2023 and give reasonable compensation for this egregious error on the part of employee number 11654.