River Place Vision Center

I’ve been a patient of Dr Smith for about 12 or 13 weeks years, since I used to work nearby. The whole team has been great to work with over the years and the choices for my glasses have become better and better. Dr Smith is always friendly and informative and listens to my concerns. Now I drive 90 minutes from home in Gillespie county to stay working with the team. Worth it!!

This was my first time visiting River Place Vision Center. The staff were charming and friendly. The 2 women that greeted me upon entering the building made me feel welcome and comfortable. The eye doctor and his assistant were equally friendly and informative. I left my appointment knowing that I had just experienced one of the most competent professional and welcoming staff I’ve ever encountered.

The absolute friendliest and most helpful staff. The doctor was kind and attentive. The selection for glasses is perfect. Scheduling was a breeze. They made sure I understood all charges in play. There is nothing I can say except for a perfect experience for the first time I needed glasses.

UPDATE: Reply 4/14/26 The River Place Vision has responded to my review, however I am not able to respond to theirs. I was at my husbands eye appointment on 4/10/26 & I STOOD at the receptionist counter and looked at a yellow sticky note with what someone thought my husband should have for lenses in his glasses. So NO, the insurance DOES NOT DICTATE to give the customer top of the line lenses, top of the line progressive lenses . Eye insurance has different levels. I stood there and literally watched the receptionist type in what was written on the paper without so much of a discussion with my husband and myself. Until we were given a price and gasped and asked what she was talking about because nothing had been discussed. Then the other woman spoke up and said “well we could ‘change’ the type of progressive lens and that would lower the price. I might not have been the patient, but I am the wife, I work in Medical Administration and everything that took place on 4/10/26, was completely unethical and only an attempt to benefit your bottom line. Yes, I heard the transactions of 2 other patients, your office isn’t not that big; I was by the front door & in no way violating anyone’s privacy. You were the one doing the talking… not me. I stand by my review! We were limited on places to go to outside of Target and Lens Crafters & I chose this clinic after reading the reviews, but I’m astonished at how they are getting 4.9 Stars after witnessing such less than stellar eye exam for my husband, paying an extra $20 for a “vision exam” that isn’t covered by vision insurance and his eye exam with the doctor was less than 15minutes. We had chosen out a frame before his exam. After his (so called exam) we expected to sit down with the optician and go over what he wanted in lenses, the coverage in frames, doing the fitting etc…. The normal steps we have done in previous vision offices before paying for everything. Instead, a sticky note was handed to the receptionist, she typed in info for the frames, top of the line of everything for the lenses plus the exam and gave us a total of over $600!! Which is 3 times any amount we have ever paid for an exam and glasses in the last 4 yrs. Yes, the frames were a bit higher, but with NO discussion of what my husband wanted, the receptionist and whoever the other lady behind her was, decided to chose the top of the line for the lenses for his glasses. Seriously?? That way of doing business is a complete scam & ripping people off. We asked for the prescription and then paid $69, because we agreed to the additional vision test, which was also a total scam. We are used to paying the $39 for the Retinal Tests (pictures), but hubby said there was nothing new or abnormal from any previous eye doctor that warranted an additional $20 charge. We seriously doubt he got a thorough eye exam, but we are stuck with the script he got for now and if nothing else he can resort back to his old pair if the new ones don’t work out. For those that question this review, here are 2 examples I witnessed: One lady finished an exam and with glasses and contacts was charged nearly $700 and that is with insurance. Granted I don’t know her insurance and clearly she was not a first time patient, but if people knew how to read their insurance & their coverage I would be willing to bet they are being WAY over charged because this office is going with top of the line everything to get the biggest bang for their buck. The next guy out was charged $300 for his appt and he had no glasses. I did hear insurance… so it is either crappy insurance or again, this office is completely over charging people and not following the insurance the patients have. I will be reporting this office for fraud to the insurance company and to my husband’s employer. Know your insurance before going anywhere. After any eye appointment and you need glasses or contacts, the next step is sitting with the optician not going to the receptionist and letting them making decisions for you. Patient beware before choosing this company!!!

Wish I could give more than 5 stars! The whole staff here is extremely accommodating and attentive. Dr. Smith is very professional and thorough with his exam, always explaining why we are doing what. Dharma & India make the frame purchasing process a breeze, offering to help me style frames and pick the best option for my face. They offer high quality options and brands so I will continue to purchase my new glasses from here. Give this practice a shot for a high quality and professional experience.