What patients are saying
Overall rating
4.87
Average wait time
4.78
Bedside manner
4.88
“Very kind doctor with excellent bedside manner. Takes time to listen to your medical history and explains his diagnoses and prescriptions. Highly recommend.”
June W.January 28, 2026
“Excellent doctor, great bedside manners and took the time to really understand my concerns and issues.”
Aaron H.December 16, 2025
About Dr. Alex Onishi
Dr. Onishi is a California native, being born and raised in the Bay Area. His goal is to provide high quality eye care and education to his patients. He specializes in modern cataract surgery and can diagnose and treat common conditions such as glaucoma, dry eyes, macular degeneration, and diabetes.
Dr. Onishi attended the University of California, Berkeley for his undergraduate degree, and then completed medical school at Northwestern University in Chicago. He then returned to the west coast to pursue residency training in ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA.
Outside of ophthalmology, Dr. Onishi's hobbies include soccer, pickleball, weightlifting, running, and hiking. He would be honored to be a part of your medical team, and to help you achieve your best and most functional vision.
FYI: OUR CLINIC HAS A $75 24-HOUR CANCELLATION POLICY (as Zocdoc will charge our clinic regardless)
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Office location
Education and background
Practice names
Hospital affiliations
- Saint John's Health Center
Board certifications
- American Board of Ophthalmology
Education and training
- Medical School - Northwestern University, Doctor of Medicine
- Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (Internship)
- Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA, Residency in Ophthalmology
- University of California, Berkeley (Bachelor's)
Professional memberships
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
- American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
Languages spoken
- English
Provider's gender
Male
NPI number
1710351622
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
4.87
Wait time
4.78
Bedside manner
4.88
Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here
182 reviews
Most relevant
Excellent doctor, great bedside manners and took the time to really understand my concerns and issues.
December 16, 2025Aaron H.Verified patient
Dr. Onishi was very professional and knowledgeable and present and patient. Everything you'd look for in a Doctor.
April 24, 2025Gil K.Verified patient
Explained in detail what needed to be done and what to expect, listined to my concerns and answered honestly
June 4, 2025Paul G.Verified patient
Best Ophthalmologist visited! Answered all questions, addressed my problem with an accurate diagnosis and assessment.
November 23, 2024Zahra M.Verified patient
Amazing doctor, took care of my problems within 30 min. Would definitely see again!
Less than 6 months agoConner N.Verified patient
Excellent ophthalmologist!! He patiently addressed all of my concerns and was very thorough. I’d highly recommend!
October 14, 2024Angelina H.Verified patient
First and foremost, excellent care. Dr. Onishi was great, and his staff was very efficient.
April 17, 2025D K.Verified patient
Dr. Onishi was excellent. He is a clear communicator and extremely personable.
August 22, 2025David S.Verified patient
Great doctor. Highly recommend - listened thoroughly and very detailed exam
August 27, 2025Peter Y.Verified patient
Alex and the staff here were great. My first visit and it went smoothly.
August 14, 2025Abdul O.Verified patient
The office operates fast paced and will have you in and out. Staff is friendly!
March 28, 2025Rashad C.Verified patient
Alex was very professional and knowledgeable, highly recommended
June 2, 2025Sarah B.Verified patient
really kind team and helpful doctor! smooth and easy eye checkup!
More than 1 year agoSamantha L.Verified patient
Dr Onishi and staff were very friendly and great listeners.
April 10, 2025Meghan K.Verified patient
Front desk experience was average. Doctor was amazing.
Less than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Very kind doctor with excellent bedside manner. Takes time to listen to your medical history and explains his diagnoses and prescriptions. Highly recommend.
January 28, 2026June W.Verified patient
Nice Doctor, friendly staff, poor seating.
December 29, 2025Alexander A.Verified patient
Will definitely come back and recommend to others
December 16, 2025Oksana S.Verified patient
Doctor Alex applied his incredible educational accomplishments specifically to my eye condition. He went so far as to have the Optometrist do three additional test to verify what she expected. The Optometrists were all very professional. and very careful with their various diagnostic equipment. I can’t give more stars because the patient waiting space is cramped and patients sit side-by-side. We’re waiting not good in the current flu season. Also. The person who explained the forms necessary for signature and the cost of the cataract lens choice did not have good interaction skills. She was abrupt and refused to let me ask questions at the moment I had one. I had to wait until she was finished with her spiel, which made no sense since I would’ve had to remember many questions.
I will continue to use Dr. Alex and his staff, but when I recommend him to others, I will advise them to be prepared for the areas of my dislike.
December 6, 2025Charles P.Verified patient
There was a bit of confusion with appointment but, it was partially due to Thanksgiving holiday. It all worked out and Dr. Onishi was clear, precise and efficient.
December 1, 2025annemarie P.Verified patient
I was so pleasantly surprised with the ease and quality of the appointment. I say this because I am someone who gets easily stressed out with appointments. I set everything up the day before and was seen right away when I showed up. The Dr. and staff was incredibly kind and communicative. I think the whole process took about 45 mins. Can’t recommend this office enough.
November 7, 2025Alexa T.Verified patient
Front desk and nurses were absolutely lovely, great communication, wonderful pre visit confirmation call, and the Dr was very knowledgeable, empathetic, and thorough. Also the Dr is very handsome ?? so I barely noticed my eye pain during the visit because he was so charming.
October 24, 2025Sandrine N.Verified patient
This was hands down the best eye appointment I’ve ever had. I was checked in and seen right away, no waiting at all, and the whole visit took less than 40 minutes. Despite being quick, it was also the most thorough and comprehensive eye exam I’ve ever had.
I was referred here by my neurosurgeon for health-related reasons, and the doctor was not only incredibly knowledgeable but also empathetic and understanding of my situation. He took the time to explain everything clearly and made me feel completely cared for.
As someone who works in the medical field, my standard of care is high, and Dr Onishi nailed it. A+ experience all around. Helpful, compassionate, and truly the gold standard for medical care. Highly recommend.
September 3, 2025Kayla D.Verified patient
Came in to have my chalazion removed. The doctor thoroughly explained the procedure and took the time to answer all of my questions. Procedure went smoothly and was out the door in 30 minutes.
August 28, 2025Initials hidden
Great experience.
August 25, 2025Brian R.Verified patient
The doctor was friendly and engaged.
July 16, 2025Scott H.Verified patient
Amazing office, as well as the staff members. Quick check in service. Many tests performed. The doctor is truly great himself. Very attentive and professional! Hopefully, his recommendations will work out as great! A+++
July 15, 2025Alex S.Verified patient
Dr.Onishi is a top notch optamalogist who gave me an accurate assessment of my eye issue and treatment suggestions. I'm happy to have found him and highly suggest his professional services.
Less than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Great experience!
June 19, 2025Kristina M.Verified patient
Great young, modern, self assured and knowledgeable Dr. Onoshi. Highly recommend. Reviewed all that needed to be looked at with efficiency and with positive outlook.
June 19, 2025Carolyn T.Verified patient
Quick, informative, would recommend
June 11, 2025Initials hidden
Great experience
June 10, 2025Glenn S.Verified patient
Dr. Onishi is an absolute pleasure, but his office staff are egregiously unpleasant, disrespectful, and abrasive. That alone is enough to make me very unlikely to return despite how excellent of a Dr. he is.
I’ve never been met with such confrontation at any medical office, starting with the receptionist turning her back to me while I stood waiting to check in, as if I was inconveniencing her by arriving for my appointment.
The worst part: the Dr.’s assistant who berated me with brash comments after she’d made the mistake of giving me the wrong trial contact lens that was 3.5x the strength it was supposed to be. The Dr. had to grab the correct one for me himself. Instead of just admitting her mistake and apologizing like a professional, she continued to berate me. After 90+ mins, when I asked to have a copy of my prescriptions, I was again met with disdain and refusal to give them because she could not get over her mistake. No patient should have to endure such distress.
June 5, 2025Amaya G.Verified patient
Dr. Onishi was well-versed on my chart history and presented viable treatment options that would present the best prognosis. His office staff members are all friendly and personable and proficient and present longevity and constancy such as Melissa who has been there 19 years throughout the various configurations of the practice.
April 25, 2025Lauren W.Verified patient
Great doctor and nurses!
April 25, 2025Neo B.Verified patient
Dr. Alex Onishi is highly knowledgeable and insightful; an intuitively effective physician. I was initially seen by his NP who was both thorough and detailed. His front office is highly efficient and effective, and treat patients with compassion and kindness. The office is modern and clean
April 21, 2025Lauren W.Verified patient
Excellent
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Great visit!
More than 1 year agoAnthony G.Verified patient
I was able to see Dr. Onishi on short notice and my insurance was accepted. I had an overall pretty good experience with his care and was able to get what I needed. A few notes I would make would be that the office prints receipts, but they don't include any information or itemized details that would be helpful for a patient to keep records for future billing and insurance information . Additionally, I particularly had a difficult experience with the front desk coordinator who was visibly upset by my request for an itemized receipt and any clarifying questions related to my eye care (raised irritated voice, rolling of her eyes, and rudeness).
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Best eye appointment of my life
April 2, 2025Christy H.Verified patient
Dr Onishi was absolutely fantastic, the appointment was efficient and comprehensive. The nursing team and front desk staff were friendly and professional.
April 1, 2025Meredith F.Verified patient
The girl with the glasses who was checking in patients was rude and had an attitude with me. Watching her checking in another older patient who encountered an issue while checking in with her was making me uncomfortable too. She had no empathy and not helpful at all. It was not a good first impression for the office. Doctor Alex Onishi was very nice and thorough; answered all my questions and concerns. The other staffs were nice too.
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Dr Onishi was pleasant, thorough and easy going. He explained relevant exam details and was happy to answer questions. Office and staff were pros. This is a quality provider.
February 26, 2025Robert B.Verified patient
Excellent 'bed side' manners. Carefully explained everything and was very receptive to my comments. Highly recommend Dr Onishi!
February 21, 2025Initials hidden
I thought Dr. Onishi was a very direct, knowledgable and a co
passionate doctor. He was very qualified and referred me to a retina specialist. Would definitely recommend.
February 10, 2025Danielle K.Verified patient
Excellent listener and took his time.
February 7, 2025Kerry S.Verified patient
Dr. Onishi was friendly, professional, and gave me the feeling that he was genuinely interested in my health. He is one of only a handful of genuinely positive experiences I have had with doctors. Would highly recommend his services.
More than 1 year agoAndrew R.Verified patient
The entire staff showed genuine concern for my injury, and ecery team member was efficient and professional. Doctor was very helpful explaining my situation, what I could and should do, what not to do, when to follow up. My mind was put very much at ease.
January 31, 2025Sara M.Verified patient
Fantastic experience. Highly recommend this doctor. Very nice and explained everything to me. Took notes and reporting back to my primary doctor.
January 16, 2025Roger K.Verified patient
First time seeing Dr. Onishi and he was amiable and professional, and answered all my questions thoroughly. His office staff was also great and very efficient.
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
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How soon can I make an appointment with Dr. Alex Onishi?
Generally, Dr. Alex Onishi has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Dr. Onishi's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Dr. Alex Onishi accepting new patients?
Dr. Alex Onishi generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Dr. Onishi's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Dr. Alex Onishi accept my insurance?
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Can I make an appointment with Dr. Alex Onishi online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Dr. Onishi using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
Which hospital is Dr. Alex Onishi affiliated with?
Dr. Alex Onishi is affiliated with Saint John's Health Center.
What practice does Dr. Alex Onishi work with?
Dr. Alex Onishi works with Erfan Joseph Nadji, M.D..
Where is Dr. Alex Onishi's office located?
Dr. Alex Onishi's office is located at 1301 20th St, Santa Monica, CA 90404.
Which board certifications does Dr. Alex Onishi have?
Dr. Alex Onishi is certified by American Board of Ophthalmology.
What are common reasons for patients to see Dr. Alex Onishi?
Dr. Alex Onishi frequently sees patients for Contact Lenses, Eyeglasses, General Eye Consultation, Refractive Surgery Consultation, and Routine Eye Exam. You can see other visit reasons for Dr. Alex Onishi on their profile.
What languages does Dr. Alex Onishi speak?
Dr. Alex Onishi speaks English.
How do patients rate Dr. Alex Onishi in reviews?
182 patients have reviewed Dr. Alex Onishi. The overall rating for this doctor is 4.87/5. They have a 4.88/5 rating for bedside manner and a 4.78/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.