Bard Optical
Optometry • Bloomington, IL • Since 1945
About
Bard Optical is a private eye care provider with 21 locations in Central Illinois, including Bloomington-Normal. They offer comprehensive optometry under a medical model (eye exams, disease diagnosis/management, contact lenses, and eyewear) with a team of fully credentialed doctors. Key details: - Founded: 1945; headquarters: Peoria, IL - Services: full eye examinations (glaucoma checks, cataract inspections, retinal health, etc.), eyewear, pediatric eye care, and eye disease management - Scale: 25 offices across Illinois; 2.7M annual revenue; ~15 employees - Contact: emails: contactus@bardoptical.com; phone: 1-800-752-3295 / +1-309-6470-366 If you’re specifically seeking Bard Optical in the Bloomington-Normal area, Bard Optical operates within Central Illinois’ network of offices, though a Bloomington-Normal address isn’t listed in the provided highlights. It’s worth contacting them or visiting bardoptical.com to confirm the exact Bloomington-Normal location or closest office.
Clinic Type
Optometry
Address
1700 E College Ave Suite 3, Normal, IL 61761
Phone
(309) 250-3781
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Opening Hours
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM; Sunday: Closed
Services Offered
Insurance & Payment
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Languages Spoken
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Social Media
Photos








What Patients Say
Overall sentiment across review platforms: mixed
- Yelp, BestProsInTown, and other third-party review directories: Varies by platform (e.g., Yelp ratings are generally mixed) (Across various review sites (e.g., 16 reviews on one Yelp page; 63 reviews on another platform))
Patients praise
- Comprehensive medical approach to eye care
- Thorough eye exams and genuine concern for patient vision from specific doctors
- Effective treatment for eye injuries and infections
- Long-standing presence in the community with over 80 years of service history
Common complaints
- Poor customer service and lack of greeting upon arrival
- Slow service and excessive chatting among staff members
- Allegations of overcharging for contact lenses compared to other retailers
- Issues with prescription accuracy and fit of glasses requiring follow-up adjustments
- Perceived rudeness or unhelpful staff interactions
"One customer mentioned a lack of greeting upon entering the store and a slow completion of services, as well as too much chatting among the staff. Another customer noted overcharging for contact lenses..."
— BestProsInTown review summary"Bard Optical made glasses for me that were so defective as a result of poor workmanship, that they caused me two years of double vision and migraine headaches."
— CMac.ws patient review (B. Anne M.)Synthesized from public review platforms as of Jul 11, 2026 — sources: [1][2][3][4].
In the News
- Former Bard Optical indicted on alleged federal theft charges | 1470 & 100.3 WMBD — Nov 11, 2025
- Optical Lab gives IU School of Optometry students experience making glasses that benefit community: IU News — Apr 10, 2026
- Dr. Lauren Dust, OD - Optometrist in Brighton, IL — May 14, 2026
- Dr. Nicholas A. Qualls, OD - Optometrist in Danville, IL — May 14, 2026
- Dr. Nicole F. Margason, OD - Optometrist in Wheaton, IL — May 14, 2026
Information sourced from the clinic's website as of July 11, 2026.
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