Palo Alto Vision

About Palo Alto Vision

Palo Alto Vision Optometry is an independent optometry practice in Suite D101A at 109 California Avenue, a short walk from the California Avenue Caltrain station. The practice says it has served the Palo Alto community for more than 30 years. It describes its optometrists as clinically trained for the broadest scope of primary eye care.

The practice says its exams run about 45 minutes and are personalized. It says it aims to build long-term relationships with patients and their families. Each patient receives a complimentary retinal photo, which the practice uses for year-to-year monitoring.

This listing describes the practice from its own published information. It is not medical advice and does not rate the care provided.

Services

The services page lists these appointment types:

• Comprehensive eye exam: covers the glasses prescription, peripheral vision, eye pressure and an eye health screening that includes dry eye and cataracts.
• Contact lens exam: to find a lens brand and prescription. The office fits lenses for astigmatism, monovision and multifocal wear.
• CRT, orthokeratology or Ortho-K: a non-surgical program using overnight corneal molding lenses meant to reduce the need for daytime glasses or contacts.
• LASIK and PRK co-management: consultations on whether someone is a candidate, plus exams before and after surgery.
• EnChroma lenses: lenses for color vision deficiency. The office recommends an in-person trial and consultation.
• Medical office visits: for sudden changes such as infections, redness, irritation, pain or a foreign body in the eye.

The practice also says it diagnoses and treats most eye diseases, including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. Frames and lenses are chosen around daily activities such as computer work, outdoor time and driving. Contact lens wearers can reorder through an online link on the website.

The optometrists

Michael D. Le, OD has been with the practice since 2013. The practice says he was born and raised in San Jose, studied at UC San Diego and earned his optometry degree at the UC Berkeley School of Optometry. He is certified to fit Ortho-K and CRT lenses and handles questions about that program.

Vivian Pham, OD is a native of South San Jose. She studied biochemistry and molecular biology at UC Davis and optometry at UC Berkeley. Her residency was at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, in ocular disease, geriatric optometry and low vision rehabilitation. The practice lists her interests as myopia management, specialty contact lenses and glaucoma management.

The about page also lists Thuy T. Nguyen, OD, who is noted as currently not seeing patients. Lawrence Y. Chin, OD has announced his retirement after 47 years of private practice.

Booking, insurance and payment

You can book an exam online with a specific doctor through links on the website, by phone at 650-322-6656 or by email at [email protected]. For a red eye or infection visit, the practice asks you to call.

On insurance, the practice says it accepts VSP and no longer takes EyeMed. For other coverage, check with the staff. It accepts cash, personal checks, Visa and Mastercard. Its cancellation policy says that canceling with less than 24 hours' notice may lead to a deposit being required for future appointments.

The office hours section lists Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed from 1 to 2 p.m. each day. It is closed Sunday and Monday. A header line on the same site gives slightly different Saturday hours, so confirm by phone before a weekend visit.

Tips for visiting

The office is on the 100 block of California Avenue, the block closest to the Caltrain station. If you are coming by train, it is a very short walk. Driving, look for the city lots and street spaces with posted time limits. Our California Avenue guide covers the district and our getting around guide explains parking and transit.

Bring your current glasses, contact lens boxes or prescription and your insurance card. If you need dilation, ask when you book whether to bring sunglasses or a driver. The lunch closure from 1 to 2 p.m. is easy to miss, so avoid arriving in that hour for a quick question.

Location and getting there

Palo Alto Vision is at 109 California Avenue, Suite D101A, Palo Alto, CA, in the California Avenue area of Palo Alto. Our California Avenue guide covers what else is around.

The California Avenue Caltrain station is less than a quarter mile away, a walk of a few minutes.

Parking: street spaces and city garages with posted limits (see parking in Palo Alto).

Hours

Hours from the business's own website, checked October 29, 2026.

What is nearby

• Imperial Treasure, restaurant, under 0.1 mi
• Rara, restaurant, under 0.1 mi
• Jonathan David Salon, salon or spa, under 0.1 mi
• The Farm, restaurant, under 0.1 mi
• Vitality Bowls, quick-service spot, under 0.1 mi
• Bowden Park, 0.1 mi
• Peers Park, 0.3 mi
• College Terrace Library, 0.5 mi

Other health and medical nearby: Palo Alto Mind Body (under 0.1 mi); Cambridge Optometry (0.1 mi); Sunrise Pediatric Dentistry (0.1 mi); Palo Alto Smiles (0.1 mi). Browse the full health and medical list.

Before you go

• Call ahead to confirm the practice accepts your insurance and is taking new patients.
• Bring a photo ID, your insurance card and a list of current medications to a first visit.
• For emergencies call 911. Stanford Hospital's emergency department is the closest major emergency room for most of Palo Alto.

About this listing

Checked October 29, 2026 against Palo Alto Vision Optometry official website; About us page; Our services page. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Frequently asked questions